Shakespeare & Company 70 Kemble St., Lenox Elayne P. Bernstein Stage, Tina Packer Playhouse, Arthur S. Waldstein Amphitheatre shakespeare. org 413-637-1199
Shakespeare & Company in Lenox not only performs William Shakespeare’ s works, but also other classic and contemporary plays of social significance that embrace the core values of his pieces, including collaboration and commitment to language. This season offers all that by way of good stories— the core of all good theater.“ We like to offer real stories of humanity, to take a step back and ask what it means to be human, to connect,” says Artistic Director Allyn Burrows.“ These stories do that, even something as kooky as Shake it Up: A Shakespeare Cabaret.” The season opens with The Victim( June 20 – July 20) by Lawrence Goodman, directed by Daniel Gidron, and starring Annette Miller, on the Elayne P. Bernstein Stage. With a staged reading last year, this season’ s full production tells the story of a doctor, her mother who is a Holocaust survivor, and a health aide during Covid. The Victim explores identity, our blindness to others and the human capacity for cruelty and compassion.( See page 64.) Shake It Up: A Shakespeare Cabaret( July 1-6) is created by Burrows and Jacob Ming- Trent and directed by Burrows. With a smash premiere run last season, the Tina Packer Playhouse transforms again into the Elephant Lounge to host this mash-up of modern music and Shakespeare verse.“ I’ ve always been a big fan of rock and roll,” says Burrows.“ I looked at Shakespeare’ s plays that influenced today’ s music. With some songs, the influence is harder to find; with others it’ s more direct.” There will be a full band on stage, and the text will be projected on the back wall. Adds Burrows:“ People are downright surprised at how much fun they can have at a Shakespeare show!” Romeo and Juliet( July 12 – August 10) by Shakespeare, directed by Kevin G. Coleman and Jonathan Epstein, will be in the Arthur S. Waldstein Amphitheatre. Presented under the Berkshire’ s summer skies, Romeo and Juliet proves that even the ultimate case of love at first sight can lead to, well, chaos. Meddling families and murderous duels meld to offer an evening of sword fights, swinging soirees, and secret weddings— but the play is also full of exuberant vulgarity, harsh brutality, and, above all, the tingling, unbearable delight of young love. Arrive early with a picnic or fill up at S & Co’ s Josie’ s Place.
The Piano Lesson( July 25 – August 24) by August Wilson, directed by Christopher V. Edwards, and co-produced with Actors’ Shakespeare Project, will be performed in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre. Set against the backdrop of 1936 Pittsburgh during the Great Depression, Wilson’ s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award ®-winning play explores the lives of the Charles family and vividly portrays an enduring conflict between siblings. The family piano, an heirloom intricately carved by an enslaved ancestor, is at the heart of the argument. As Boy Willie is eager to sell the piano to purchase land on which his ancestors endured hardship, his sister Berniece fiercely maintains that the piano is where their heritage lies, their struggle a testament to the complexities of family, history, and legacy. What do we owe to our past, and how do we build our future?
The Taming of the Shrew( August 14- 24) by Shakespeare, directed by Nicole Ricciardi and performed in the Tina Packer Playhouse, explores timeless themes of identity, gender roles, and the clash of wills. The play offers a compelling— if not at times zany— look at relationships and social norms, making it a must-see for anyone who loves classic comedy with a bit of bite.
Mother Play— A Play in Five Evictions( August 29 to October 5) by Paula Vogel and directed by Ariel Bock appeared on Broadway last year starring Jessica Lange. It will now be performed in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre. Spanning four decades, it follows a family through five apartments and many hardships. Like many of S & Co’ s productions, Mother Play was part of the company’ s Plays in Process last year.
Jewish Plays Festival: Dynamic Stages Readings( October 10-12), a weekend of staged readings, maintains S & Co’ s desire to shine a light on voices from around the world with immersive storytelling. Miller, who stars in The Victim earlier in the season, will perform in this moving community event in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre.
WAM Theatre Hot Plate Brewing Company, 1 School St., Pittsfield Lenox Town Hall, 6 Walker St., Lenox Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble St., Lenox wamtheatre. com 413-274-8122
“ We have intentionally chosen living American women playwrights at various stages of their careers while creating meaningful casting opportunities for both emerging and season women actors,” says Artistic Director Genée Coreno.“ With the exception of one role, every character is a woman speaking to other women— building relationships, forging connections.”
WAM’ s Fresh Takes Play Reading Series continues this season with three readings, followed by talks with the artists, at Hot Plate Brewing Company: Cry It Out( May 4) by Molly Smith Metzler and directed by Molly Merrihew. This chaotic comedy with an edge grapples with the absurdities of motherhood, the power of friendship, and the effect class holds on parenting in America. Rooted( June 8) by Deborah Zoe Laufer and directed by Tatyana-Marie Carlo is a magical and quirky comedy whose protagonist is a blogger who lives in a treehouse, explores the relationships of nature, art, and human connection. Alien Girls( July 13) by Amy Berryman and directed by Coreno was a finalist for the 2024 O ' Neill National Playwrights Conference. This meta-theatrical, dark comedy is about the joys and challenges of creating art, cultivating friendships, and building a life of meaning.
Where We Stand, A Solo Exploration( June 26, 27, 29) at Lenox Town Hall and at Albany’ s Capital Rep( June 28) is by Donetta Lavinia Grays and directed by Jackie Davis.“ This play is designed for a town hall setting,” says Coreno.“ It explores the consequence of a community welcoming an outsider— and the weight of that decision. In a powerful twist, the audience determines the fate of those cast aside by society.” Where We Stand was a Kilroys List Pick, the winner of the Whiting Award for Drama, and toured
54 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE May / June 2025