Free Theatre Performs Next Week

Annually since 1987, WTF's Free Theatre has brought vibrant productions to the area free of charge as a way of saying thank you to the community that supports the Festival so graciously year after year. Often featuring mythical themes, elaborate costumes, puppetry, music or dance, Free Theatre entertains children and adults alike.

Camp Monster features book and lyrics by Sharyn Rothstein and music by Kris Kukul and will be directed by Kate Pines. It will feature actors from the Festival’s non-equity and apprentice companies. For years, the sons and daughters of the world's most famous monsters (Dracula, The Wicked Witch, Wolfman, and more), have spent their summer at Camp Flonster, the only camp in the world where young monsters can be themselves. But this year, Camp Flonster has a new director, the oppressive and diabolical Roseanne Finicula, who harbors a secret desire to rid the world of all monsters! When the young monsters learn of Roseanne's plot, they must put aside their daily squabbles to work together and beat Roseanne at her own game –and keep the world safe for even the strangest among us.

Camp Monster also features musical direction by Sarah Hirsch and Kris Kukul and choreography by James Cusati-Moyer. The design team includes scenic design by Phil Tokarsky, costume design by Jeanette Lee Porter, lighting design by Jake Bray, and sound design by Sean Luckey. The production stage manager is Lisa Jaeger.

Camp Monster runs on the Main Stage from July 5 through July 10. The schedule is as follows: Monday, July 5 at 7:00pm and Tuesday, July 6 through Saturday, July 10 at 11:00am.

In conjunction with the Free Theatre performances, WTF also holds a Kids’ Day.  Taking place on the front lawn of the theatre prior to the Saturday morning performance of Camp Monster, Kids’ Day allows children of all ages to partake in theatre games, dancing, crafts, ice cream, autographs from performers and more. Kids’ Day is free of charge and takes place on Saturday, July 10 at 9:30am.

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Fridays@3 | 2010

Fridays@3 is Williamstown Theatre Festival’s annual reading series presented to showcase the new works of emerging playwrights. Each Friday from July 2 – August 13, join us at the Paresky Center at 3pm to listen to these new works read aloud by Williamstown Theatre Festival actors. Admission is $5. Call the box office at 413-597-3400 for reservations.

July 2

HOW. WHAT. NOW. written and performed by Michael Warner

Directed by Campbell Scott

How. What. Now. Stories of Redemption and Hope, Killing Gophers, and how Bubble Gum Pop can save your life.

July 9

THE SUBSTANCE OF BLISS by Tony Glazer

2009 Weissberger Award Winner

In The Substance of Bliss by Tony Glazer, 2009’s L. Arnold Weissberger Award winner, a couple, Donna and Paul, wait up for their troubled son to come home. What they learn about yard fairies, neighborhood cats, the grouchy lady next door, Mrs. Johnston, their son, each other and ultimately, their relationship will change them forever.

July 16

GOOD ON PAPER by Michele Lowe

For a community service credit, 16 year-old Miles returns to the daycare center in his father’s work where he was cared for as a small boy. Even though he has never really understood why his dad left him and his mom, Miles knows it has something to do with this place, once a revolutionary program for children of working parents.  Michele Lowe’s Good On Paper asks us to question when we feel—and when we actually are—safe.

July 23

MIDNIGHT SUN by Chris Eigeman

In association with the Williamstown Film Festival

Chris Eigeman's screenplay Midnight Sun dawns on a cold morning in 1943. When Max Coleman and Jack Priest, two doctoral candidates at Columbia get selected to participate in a secret project, they drop their jazz-filled lives in New York City and move to a remote makeshift village of physicists in the desert. There they begin working on the biggest bomb ever known to mankind. But is it a glorious testimony to the capabilities of mankind and the greatest peacekeeping tool ever invented or a weapon of mass destruction?

July 30

ELEMENO PEA by Molly Smith Metzler

Directed by Amanda Charlton

When Simone invited her older sister, Devon, for a weekend at her boss’ house in Martha’s Vineyard, she never could have anticipated Devon’s reaction to the expensive luxuries which Simone enjoys daily.  Not one to get caught up in this world, Devon points to the men in “pink pants” as just one example of the outrageous values to which the Kells subscribe. Molly Smith Metzler’s Elemeno Pea explores what one must give up in order to have “everything.”

August 6

KNOCK DOWN DRAG OUT by Kyle Jarrow

Directed by John Rando

After losing his job as an accountant, Will, with much urging from his wife, Macy, digs out the old screenplay. The local drama teacher thinks it brilliant, a student of his now L.A. actress, Chloe, thinks its genius, together they will make a short to pitch to Chloe’s connections in L.A. Knock Down Drag Out by Kyle Jarrow brings the cutthroat world of Hollywood to Cleveland, OH where Macy, even though she has always wanted her husband to pursue his dreams, begins to resent the fact that everything she’s ever done, she’s done it for him.

  

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Weekly Preview | June 28 - July 4

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Opens July 1st

June 30 – July 11
book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart
music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
choreography by Denis Jones
directed by Jessica Stone

The Romans are coming! With a nod and a wink to Plautus, director Jessica Stone helms an all-male troop of actors into the comic fray with this fresh, “old” take on American master and Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Sondheim’s raucous musical classic. With Tony nominee Christopher Fitzgerald leading the charge as Pseudolus, a slave who must win his freedom by playing matchmaker for his master, this toe-tapping, zany romp through ancient Rome is a paean to the Gods of Comedy.

Cast

Kevin Cahoon
Paul Castree
David Costibile
Christopher Fitzgerald
Zackary Grady
Josh Grisetti
Adam Lerman
Chivas Michael
Bryce Pinkham
Joe Aaron Reid
Graham Rowat
Jeremy Shamos
David Turner
Jon Patrick Walker

Scenic Design | Alexander Dodge
Costume Design | Catherine A. Parott
Lighting Design | Jeff Croiter
Sound Design | Drew Levy and Tony Smolenski
Production Stage Manager | Gregory T. Livoti
Production Manager | Joel M. Krause
Casting | MelCap Casting


It's Jewdy's Show Final Week

Performances run through July 4th, so get you tickets while you still can!


Fridays @ 3 Begins July 2

HOW. WHAT. NOW. written and performed by Michael Warner

Directed by Campbell Scott

How. What. Now. Stories of Redemption and Hope, Killing Gophers, and how Bubble Gum Pop can save your life.

   

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Welcome to WTF Summer 2010

Welcome back to the Williamstown Theatre Festival Blog! As we gear up for this summer’s season of shows, beginning performances on June 23^rd with It’s Jewdy’s Show: My Life as a Sitcom by Judy Gold and Kate Moira, we’ll be bringing you some preview info on all the shows of the season.

Look for our usual weekly schedule devoted to the show opening that week—Monday | Preview, Tuesday | Interview, Wednesday | Dramaturgy, Thursday | Special Feature and Friday | Opening Night Photos—beginning on June 21^st.

Also, remember that aside from the exciting season of shows on the Main and Nikos stages, the Workshop will produce the Fellowship Play and Musical, Directing Assistant Projects, Directing Intern Projects, and the Greylock Theatre Project. Aside from Fridays @ 3 and the Tuesday Talkback, Literary will also host a Friday Q & A for all of the Nikos shows. The playwright along with a special guest will converse with audience on the new work at WTF this summer. Don’t miss this exciting new addition to the first Friday performance of each Nikos show.

More information about all of the events at WTF (don’t forget the Free Theatre and the Cabarets) will be posted each week, so be sure to check us out regularly. Its bound to be another busy and exciting summer!

Sarah Slight, Literary Associate

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Thank you! To all our blog readers—

It has a been a great summer here at WTF—from opening nights for the Main and Nikos Stages to Workshop shows to the Cabaret—and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading all about it on the Within The Festival blog. We will post occasionally during the off-season, but don’t worry, we’ll get back in the game regularly as soon as the Festival begins again next summer.

If you haven’t had time yet to check out all the posts for the shows this summer or read about your favorite intern or apprentice, you still can! All the posts from this summer will be up year round for your perusal.

And don’t forget to check back for season, alumni and special event announcements throughout the next year.

Thanks again for reading!

-Sarah Slight, Literary Associate

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Fellowship Musical Opens TONIGHT

GOLDEN GATE

book and lyrics by

Christopher Dimond

music by Michael Kooman

musical direction by Christopher D. Littlefield

Directed by Boris Sagal Fellow Dan Rigazzi

August 12 – 13, 2009

7 pm & 11 pm

Directing Studio

’62 Center for Theatre & Dance

call 413.597.3386 for reservations

Scenic Design | Sarah Muxlow

Costume Design | Pamela Wilcox

Lighting Design | Isabella F. Byrd

Sound Design | Samantha Weller

Production Stage Manager | Frances Ines Rodriguez

Production Manager | Connor "Mac" Smith

[with members of the WTF Non-Equity Company]

CAST

Lauren Blumenfeld

Francesca Choy-Kee

Rich Dreher

Daniel Hartley

Ashton Heyl

Lucas Kavner

Irene Sofia Lucio

Joel Perez

Gayle Rankin

Dominic Spillane

BAND

Conductor / Keyboard | Christopher D. Littlefield

Drums | Matt Helm

PRODUCTION STAFF

Asst. Director | Adam Stone

Choreographer | James Cusati-Moyer

Asst. Costume Designer | Kalyn Lummis

Asst. Lighting Designer | Jes Halm

Asst. Sound Designer/Board Op | Collin Barnum

Technical Director | John Zawislak

Asst. Technical Director | Todd Peacock-Preston

Scenic Charge | Elyse Handelman

Properties Master | Cassie Dorland

Master Electrician | Kate Devine

Light Board Operator | Christal Boyd

Crew | Apprentice Company

[graphic design] Emily Kent for WTF '09

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Fellowship Play Opens TONIGHT

AFTER THE REVOLUTION

by Amy Herzog

Directed by Bill Foeller Fellow Tamara E. Fisch

July 12 – 13, 2009

7 pm & 11 pm

Directing Studio

’62 Center for Theatre & Dance

call 413.597.3386 for reservations

Scenic Design | David Arsenault

Costume Design | Jeanette Lee Porter

Lighting Design | Wilburn Bonnell

Sound Design | Leo A. Martin, IV

Production Stage Manager | Michael Block

Production Manager | Connor "Mac" Smith

[with members of the WTF Non-Equity Company]

CAST

Lauren Blumenfeld

Rich Dreher

Daniel Hartley

Ashton Heyl

Lucas Kavner

Irene Sofia Lucio

Joel Perez

Gayle Rankin

Dominic Spillane

PRODUCTION STAFF

Asst. Director | TRACY CAMERON FRANCIS

Dramaturg | Amy Lipman

Asst. Costume Designer | Alexandra Lau

Asst. Lighting Designer | Michael Cecchini

Scenic Charge | Tacy L. Flaherty

Properties Master | ELEANOR BYE

Master Electrician | Liz Albright

Light Board Operator | Bekah Hernandez

Sound Asst.| Collin Barnum

Crew | Apprentice Company

select BIOGRAPHIES

Amy Herzog (Playwright) [2nd WTF Season] Trouble Tales (for boys and girls), Free Theater 2008. Amy's plays have been produced at Ensemble Studio Theater, American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, and the Yale School of Drama; she has had readings and workshops at Manhattan Theater Club, New York Stage and Film, Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., The Black Dahlia in Los Angeles, and The Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre, among others. She recently completed a comission for the Yale Repertory Theatre. She has an MFA in playwriting from the Yale School of Drama.

Tamara E. Fisch (Director) [2nd WTF Season] The Understudy (Asst.), Hungry by Amy Herzog and Gagarin Way by Gregory Burke. [Off B'way] Anarchists: A Comedy, Letters from the Basement to the Attic, Stephen Hands Path, and 11th Hour (Ensemble Studio Theatre); The Top Job (Vital Theatre Company). [Regional] Language of Angels, Cucumber Phil and the World Premiere of Girls' School Gothic by Lucy Boyle (Hangar Theatre). [Other New York] Spring's Awakening (Linhart Theatre); Match (Vital) Assholes (Vital); Ikke, Ikke, Nye, Nye, Nye; Abstinence; Wandering (Ohio Theatre) and numerous staged readings. [University] Arcadia, Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train, The Three Birds, And Baby Makes Seven, Savage/Love. [Edinburgh] Telling Wilde Tales (Int'l Fringe Festival), Fool for Love (Bedlam Theatre). She has assistant directed for Scott Ellis, Jon Jory, Jeremy Dobrish, Gene Saks, Victoria Pero, Aaron Posner and Marion McClinton (Broadway Revival, August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, and World Premiere, Gem of the Ocean). She holds a BA from Yale University, an MFA from the University of Washington School of Drama, is a Drama League Directing Fellow, and the 2009 Bill Foeller Fellow at Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Tracy Cameron Francis (Assistant Director) WTF directing intern 2009. Psalms of a Questionable Nature (NY International Fringe Festival), Comedy Course (5^th NY Arab Comedy Festival), Pharaoh ( 4^th NY Arab Comedy Festival), Rubayyat of Omar Khayam, Train ( Noor Festival), A Marriage Proposal ( Falaki Theatre, Cairo, Egypt). [Assistant Directing] The Black Eyed (Dir. Sam Gold, New York Theatre Workshop), Blue Before Morning (Dir. Gia Forakis, TerraNova Collective). LaMama International Directing Symposium. BA Fordham University.

Lauren Blumenfeld (Jess, Lily) [2^nd WTF Season] Apprentice 2004. [Off-B'way/NY Credits]: Sailor Man (Winner Outstanding Play 2008 NY Fringe Fest.), Real (Abingdon Theatre), Man is Man (HERE Art Center), The Cenci (The Ohio Theatre). [WTF]: A Midsummer Night's Dream. [BFA NYU, Tisch]: Six Degrees of Separation, The History of Tears, 0:07 Seconds, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Coriolanus. [Film]: The Rebound (Dir. Bart Freundlich), A Little Princess (Dir. Alfonso Cuaron). Lauren is also a volunteer with the 52nd Street Project. She is delighted to be a member of the 2009 WTF Non-Equity Company! Yay!

Daniel Hartley (Jake) [2nd WTF Season] A Flea in Her Ear; Trouble Tales (Free Theater). [Regional] THIRD (Geffen Playhouse), This is Our Youth (Santa Monica Playhouse), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Telluride Shakespeare Festival). [Film] Permanent Midnight, Choose. [TV] “Las Vegas,” “Boston Public,” “Grounded for Life,” “Close to Home,” “Walker, Texas Ranger” [Web] United 300 (Writer) (2007 MTV Movie Award). [Member] Antaeus Theater Company, Improv Olympic West.

Ashton Heyl (Mel) [Off-B'way] Belles (Theatre Row). [Regional] A Midsummer Night's Dream, Julius Caesar (Shakespeare Theatre of NJ/Shakespeare LIVE!); 1776, Twelfth Night, Julius Caesar (Texas Shakespeare Festival); A Christmas Carol(Roxy Regional). [Carnegie Mellon University] As You Like It, Lysistrata, Urinetown –The Musical! (Chosky Theatre); Trust,Big Love (Rauh Theatre). [EDU] BFA Carnegie Mellon University.

Lucas Kavner (Robbie) [Off-B’way] No End of Blame (Atlantic Stage 2 - Innovative Theatre Nominee for Best Play); The King is Dead (Abingdon Theatre); Barnes & Noble: Frisco, TX (Ars Nova); We All Fall Down (45th Street Theatre); [Regional] The Best Man, The American Dream, Nat'l Premiere of Pinter's Press Conference (Potomac Theatre Project); The Bewitched (Kennedy Center), A Clockwork Orange (Collin Theatre Center). [TV] “Michael and Michael Have Issues," [EDU] BA Middlebury College: The Pillowman, The Cherry Orchard, Never Swim Alone (Irene Ryan Nominations)

Joel Perez (Miguel) [2nd WTF Season] Wing it!; Late Night Cabaret. [Regional] Pirates! (Huntington); Coriolanus (Actors' Shakespeare Project); Cabaret, A Christmas Carol (New Repertory Theatre); The Light in the Piazza (Speakeasy Stage Co.). [Tufts University] Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead, Big Love, Company, Hair. [Film] We Got the Beat, The Last Harbor. [EDU] BA Tufts University.

Gayle Rankin (Vera) [Scotland, UK. Theatre] (Scottish Opera) Macbeth; The Magic Flute. [The Juilliard School] A Midsummer Nights Dream, Picnic, A Month in The Country, Broadway, GINT, Cymbeline, Man-Made. [The Dance and Musical Theatre School of Scotland] Bat Boy The Musical, Copacabana (Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama), Godspell, Fiddler on the Roof (The Lyceum Theatre), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Hamlet. [TV ](BBC) "Butterfingers," "Oxford Education." [Edu] The Juilliard School Group 40.

[graphic design] Matthew Meier for WTF ’09

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