by Mark G. Auerbach
The Petrified Forest at Berkshire Theatre Group
The Petrified Forest, Robert Sherwood’s play which inspired the movie of the same name with Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, and Leslie Howard, gets a rare revival at Berkshire Theatre Group’s Fitzpatrick Main Stage in Stockbridge through August 25.
Rebecca Brooksher
Written by four-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Robert E. Sherwood, The Petrified Forest premiered on Broadway in 1935, and starred, a then unknown, Humphrey Bogart, which proved to be Bogart’s breakthrough performance. Bogart reprised his now famous role alongside Leslie Howard and Bette Davis in the film version the following year. Howard would go on to star in Gone With The Wind, and Bogart would go on star in film classics such as Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon and The African Queen (for which he won an Academy Award). In 1999, Bogart was named by the American Film Institute (AFI) as the Greatest Male Star of All Time, and Bette Davis went on to be named the second Greatest Female Star of All Time by the AFI.
David Adkins
The Petrified Forest is a nod to Berkshire Theatre’s illustrious past. Berkshire Theatre and the Sherwood family have a long history together—Robert’s sister, Cynthia Sherwood, performed in a number of plays at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage, including starring alongside Ethel Barrymore in Déclassé. His other sister, Rosamond “Roz” Sherwood, was a Trustee at the Berkshire Theatre Festival (1953-1989) and a Stockbridge resident who Robert often visited.
David Auburn, Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright of last season’s Lost Lake and Proof, stages the production which features an outstanding cast, many of whom are regular Berkshire Theatre Group artists, including David Adkins, Rebecca Brooksher, and Joey Collins.
For details: 413-997-4444 or online at www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org
West Side Story at Barrington Stage
Barrington Stage Company (BSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd, is proud to present the landmark musical West Side Story, August 8-September 1 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage in downtown Pittsfield, MA.
We st Side Storyi is based on conception by Jerome Robbins, with a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The production is choreographed by Tony nominee Robert La Fosse, directed by Julianne Boyd, with music direction by Darren R. Cohen.
The world’s greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern day New York City as two young lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, relevant and deeply moving musicals of our time.
West Side Story will be presented in celebration of the 100th birthdays of Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins. The entire original production of West Side Story was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. Barrington Stage’s revival of Bernstein’s and Robbins’ On The Town, went to Broadway several seasons ago.
Starring in this production will be Addie Morales, Will Branner, Skyler Volpe, Sean Ewing, Tyler Hanes, Alex Swift, Juan Caballer, Doug Rees, Gordon Stanley and Christopher Tucci.
For details: 413-236-8888 or online at www.barringtonstageco.org
Jim Brickman
Of Note
Springfield Symphony Hall and CityStage have announced their fall seasons, and two events might be of interest to theatre folks. Kerry Ipema stars in TJ Dawe’s One Woman Sex and The City, a parody of Love, Friendships, and Shoes on November 1. Jim Brickman brings his A Joyful Christmas holiday show to Springfield on November 24. For details: 413-788-7033 or visit citystage.symphonyhall.com
Keep in Mind
Melissa Manchester
Melissa Manchester: The Platinum Standard. More than 25 years after singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester released Tribute, her 1989 album that honored the great female singers who influenced her, she turns the tables with The Fellas, a brilliant new tribute to the men, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Dean Martin, and the iconic songs they made famous. One performance only, August 13, at Barrington Stage, Pittsfield. For details: 413- 236-8888 or www.barringtonstageco.org.
The Lincoln Family Album, written and moderated by noted Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer, will be given a staged reading on August 8 in Daniel Chester French’s Studio at Chesterwood in Stocksbridge, MA.. The Lincoln Family Album will offer a rare glimpse into the tumultuous private life of French’s most famous subject, Abraham Lincoln, and his wife Mary, through their personal letters to each other. Eric Hill and Babrara Sims play The Lincolns.For details: Margaret Cherin at 413-298-2034 or [email protected].
Twelfth Night, Shakespeare’s popular comedy, gets a new spin by Connecticut area teens when Hartford Stage, in conjunction with the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s Neighborhood Studios,presents Breakdancing Shakespeare: Twelfth Night. on August 3-4 at Hartford Stage. For details: 860-527-5151 or www.hartfordstage.org.
Lynelle James. Photo by Ksenia Poulber
Sevenars presents pianist Lynelle James in music of Mozart, Liszt, Chopin, and Roslavets on August 5. The award-winning pianist is granddaughter of Sevenars founders Robert and Rolande Schrade. On August 12, Jerry Noble, Bob Sparkman, and Kara Noble perform classics and jazz, including Jerry Noble’s 24 Etudes. For details: www.sevenars.org.
—
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat Radio for 89.5fm/WSKB.
