WILLIAMSTOWN THEATRE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES KELLI O’HARA AND MORE IN SUMMER LINE-UP
Local Press Contact:
2017 WTF On-Site Press Manager
Kate Hyde / publicity@wtfestival.org
413.458.3200 x109
National Press Contacts:
DKC/O&M
Rick Miramontez / Molly Barnett / Collin Yarusso
rick@omdkc.com / molly@ omdkc.com / collin@omdkc.com
212.695.7400
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE
TONY® AWARD-WINNING
WILLIAMSTOWN THEATRE FESTIVAL
ANNOUNCES “MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY WITH KELLI O’HARA,” A ONE-NIGHT-ONLY BENEFIT CONCERT WITH TONY AWARD WINNER KELLI O’HARA, JULY 24 ON THE WTF MAIN STAGE.
ADDITIONAL CASTING AND PROGRAMMING UPDATES FOR THE 2017 SEASON, INCLUDING JEFF MCCARTHY, REG E. CATHEY, TAVI GEVINSON,
AND MORE.
Williamstown, MA (May 22, 2017) – Williamstown Theatre Festival (Mandy Greenfield, Artistic Director) has announced Make Someone Happy with Kelli O’Hara, a benefit concert supporting musical theatre development at WTF, for one night only, Monday, July 24 on the Main Stage. Established as one of Broadway’s contemporary leading ladies, Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara returns to the Williamstown Theatre Festival for an unforgettable evening of song. This special occasion marks O’Hara’s third season with WTF, previously starring in the 2012 production of Far From Heaven on the Nikos Stage, as well as headlining the special event concert, An Enchanted Evening with Kelli O’Hara on the Main Stage during Summer 2014. Advance tickets are available now for WTF LOVERS, who support the Festival with annual contributions of $2,500 or more. Tickets go on sale to the general public June 1. Go online to wtfestival.org, call 413.458.3253 or visit the Box Office to purchase.
Joining the previously announced Main Stage and Nikos Stage casts are: Drama Desk nominee Jeff McCarthy in A Legendary Romance (August 3–20) along with Jose Maria Aguila, Sheria Irving in The Model American (June 28 –July 9), and the additions of Emmy Award winner Reg E. Cathey, Glenn Davis, and Tavi Gevinson in Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow (July 26–August 6).
Updates to WTF’s popular Fridays@3 Reading Series are: Seared by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel and featuring Tony Award nominee Steven Pasquale as well as new addition Chris Myers, will now be presented July 28, while Abe Koogler’s Blue Skies Process moves to the earlier date of July 7. André Holland (Moonlight, WTF’s 2015 production of Paradise Blue) replaces the previously announced Leslie Odom, Jr., in the June 8 Sneak Peek reading of Safe Space; Stephanie Hsu joins the cast of Safe Space as well. Leslie Odom, Jr. will now lead the cast of the Fridays@3 reading of Ethan Lipton’s Overjoyed (August 11), and Lee Tergesen and Dean Winters have joined the Screenplay By Stalin reading (August 18).
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ABOUT THE SEASON
Main Stage
A NEW PLAY
The Roommate | June 27-July 16
by Jen Silverman
Directed by Mike Donahue
with S. Epatha Merkerson and Jane Kaczmarek
Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner S. Epatha Merkerson and Golden Globe and Emmy Award-nominee Jane Kaczmarek star in this absorbing comedy about self-discovery. Empty-nested and alone in her Midwestern home, Sharon (Merkerson) takes on a roommate, Robyn (Kaczmarek), who has just arrived from New York City. Before she has even unpacked, Robyn challenges everything about Sharon’s way of life. Book clubs, 80s pop music, and the occasional shared toke complicate their unlikely but enduring relationship, even as they venture into dangerous territory. Mike Donahue directs Jen Silverman’s new play which celebrates unexpected re-invention later in life.
A NEW PRODUCTION OF THE 2005 PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST
The Clean House |July 19-July 29
by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Rebecca Taichman
with Jayne Atkinson, Cote de Pablo, Jessica Hecht, Priscilla Lopez and Bernard White
Two-time Tony Award-nominee Jayne Atkinson and Tony Award-nominee Jessica Hecht star in this heartfelt comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl. Lane (Atkinson), an accomplished physician, discovers that her sister Virginia (Hecht) — not her Brazilian housekeeper Matilde (Cote de Pablo) — has been cleaning her home every day. Though never close, suddenly the sisters find themselves enmeshed in each other’s lives and in Matilde’s great passion for Portuguese jokes. Tony nominee Rebecca Taichman directs this expressive and lyrical comedy about learning to live with life’s mess.
A NEW MUSICAL
A Legendary Romance | August 3 – August 20
book by Timothy Prager
music and lyrics by Geoff Morrow
directed by Lonny Price
with Jose Maria Aguila, Jeff McCarthy and Maurice Jones
Emmy Award-winner and Tony Award-nominee Lonny Price directs an intimate new musical by composer/lyricist Geoff Morrow and book writer Timothy Prager that delivers us to the intersection of loyalty, love, and ambition. Back in 1950, film producer Joseph Lindy (Jeff McCarthy) was on top of the world, making hit after hit with the love of his life and leading lady, Billie Hathaway. Nearly four decades later, retired and forgotten, he must approve for release a version of his abandoned, cinematic masterpiece, an autobiographical film now altered irrevocably by a young producer. Haunted by the choices he made years ago, Joseph’s story hangs in the balance as he reconstructs the film, his memory and, ultimately, his legacy.
Nikos Stage
WORLD PREMIERE
The Model American | June 28 – July 9
by Jason Kim
Directed by Danny Sharron
with Hiram Delgado, Jonghoon Han, Sheria Irving, Maurice Jones, Laila Robins and Micah Stock
In 2016, what does it take for an immigrant to achieve the American dream? With humor and humanity, playwright Jason Kim (HBO’s “Girls”) explores this question in his timely world premiere play, directed by Danny Sharron. Young, Latino, gay and unapologetically ambitious, Gabriel (Hiram Delgado), arrives in New York seeking work, friendship, love, and mentorship. But, before he can move forward, he must honestly determine if he is running toward success or away from what he left behind. Developed at WTF under the auspices of the Bill Foeller Fellowship Program in 2016, The Model American asks: what is the price we are willing to pay for a new life?
WORLD PREMIERE
Where Storms Are Born | July 12 – July 23
by Harrison David Rivers
Directed by Saheem Ali
with Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Joshua Boone, Raúl Castillo, Christopher Livingston, LeRoy McClain, and Myra Lucretia Taylor
Mourning the loss of her elder son Myles (LeRoy McClain), Bethea (Myra Lucretia Taylor) tries to help her younger son Gideon (Christopher Livingston) through his grief. But as revelations surrounding Myles’ incarceration and death emerge, both mother and son must decide whether to fight or let go. With wit and empathy, this play reminds us of the courage and resilience it takes to chart a better way forward for the ones we love. Saheem Ali directs this world premiere play by 2016 WTF Playwright-in-Residence Harrison David Rivers.
WORLD PREMIERE
Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow | July 26-August 6
by Halley Feiffer
Directed by Trip Cullman
with Reg E. Cathey, Glenn Davis, Tavi Gevenson, Rebecca Henderson, Gene Jones, Cristin Milioti, Thomas Sadoski, Jeanine Serralles, Ryan Spahn, and Micah Stock
You’ve known Olga, Masha and Irina for nearly one hundred and seventeen years. But this summer, they are, like, unhappy for reals. Obie Award-winner and Drama Desk nominee Trip Cullman directs Outer Critics Circle Award-nominee and Theatre World Award-winner Halley Feiffer‘s world premiere: a contemporary adaptation of Chekhov’s Three Sisters. As our heroes search for meaning in their work and love lives — all the while dreaming of their dear Moscow — we are invited to examine our own existential longings and unrequited yearnings. Feiffer’s bold, unapologetically millennial and bitingly comedic spin on this Russian classic newly reacquaints us with the emotional contours of the beleaguered and beloved Prozorov family. You totes don’t want to miss it!
CO-WORLD PREMIERE WITH GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE
Actually | August 9 – August 20
Co-world premiere with Geffen Playhouse, Randall Arney – Artistic Director
by Anna Ziegler
Directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz
with Joshua Boone and Alexandra Socha
Amber (Alexandra Socha) and Tom (Joshua Boone) are freshmen at Princeton University, where their experiences so far have only two things in common: drunken parties and a desire to fit in. But when they meet, their common experience becomes anything but, and their moral mettle is put to the test. Lileana Blain-Cruz directs Anna Ziegler’s deeply felt and relevant world premiere play about intimacy and responsibility, power and provocation, privilege and protocol.
TICKETS AND SCHEDULE
Advance single ticket reservations for the 2017 Williamstown Theatre Festival season are now available through the WTF website and by mail order using WTF’s season brochure (call 413.458.3253 to join the mailing list). Discounted Bundle packages are also available. The WTF Box Office will open on June 1 at which point tickets may be purchased online, by phone, or in person at the ‘62 Center for Theatre and Dance Box Office at 1000 Main St (Route 2), Williamstown, MA 01267.
WILLIAMSTOWN THEATRE FESTIVAL
Since 1955, the Williamstown Theatre Festival has brought America’s finest actors, directors, designers, and playwrights to the Berkshires, engaging a loyal audience of both residents and summer visitors. Each WTF season is designed to present unique opportunities for artists and audience alike, revisiting classic plays with innovative productions, developing and nurturing bold new plays and musicals, and offering a rich array of accompanying cultural events including Free Theatre, Late-Night Cabarets, readings, workshops, and educational programs. With offices in both Williamstown and New York City, WTF creates vibrant work that feeds the wider theatrical landscape. The artists and productions shaped at the Festival each summer often go on to reach diverse audiences nationally and internationally. WTF is also home to of the nation’s top training and professional development programs for new generations of aspiring theatre artists and administrators. WTF was honored with the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 2002 and the Commonwealth Award for Achievement in 2011.
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