That of course is the BTF production of the rock opera Tommy, directed by Eric Hill and starring Randy Harrison in the title role and James Barry as Captain Walker. This will be the first BTF production to go into the Colonial Theatre with its copious stage and advanced technical and production support systems. See our separate in-depth story for details.

(Seen above are Randy Harrison and Tanya Dougherty in BTF’s 2010 production of Endgame also directed by Eric Hill.)

The BTF Fitzpatrick (Main Stage) in winter.

On the dance card are three world premieres, three classic plays and another musical in addition to The Who’s Tommy. Here’s the rundown:

BTF/Colonial Season Kick-off

The Who’s Tommy music and lyrics by Pete Townshend, book by Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff

Additional music and lyrics by John Entwistle and Keith Moon

Featuring James Barry (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) and Randy Harrison (Boq in Wicked, TV’s Queer as Folk)

Produced by Berkshire Theatre Festival, Presented at The Colonial Theatre

Directed by Eric Hill

Previews July 7, 8, 9 @ 2pm

Opening Night/Press Night July 9 @ 8pm

Closes July 16

Tickets A: $49 • B: $40 • C: $20
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday and Saturday at 2pm

The original rock opera, The Who’s Tommy is at once a show-stopping rock concert and a cautionary tale of the power and perils of celebrity. We witness Tommy Walker from his birth, through the shocking episodes of his childhood that render him deaf, mute and blind, as he conquers the world with his stardom, and finally after the crowds have turned on him. Featuring legendary songs by the Who, including “Pinball Wizard,” “See Me, Feel Me” and “Tommy, Can You Hear Me?” and with a cast including James Barry of Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson as Captain Walker and Randy Harrison from Wicked and Queer as Folk as Tommy, this promises to be the event of the summer in the Berkshires.

At the Fitzpatrick Main Stage (83 E. Main St, Stockbridge)

Ticket prices for all events $15-$49 unless otherwise noted.

Performance schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday and Saturday at 2pm unless otherwise noted.

Sylvia by A. R. Gurney

Directed by Anders Cato

Featuring David Adkins and Jurian Hughes

Previews July 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 @ 2pm

Opening Night/Press Night July 16 @ 8pm

Closes July 30

Kate and Greg, empty-nesters living in Manhattan, have a comfortable life. Their static world is turned upside down when Sylvia jumps in Greg’s lap one day in the park. Part-lab, part-poodle and 100% woman, Sylvia forces the pair to come to terms with who they are as individuals and as a couple. A. R. Gurney’s most improbable love-triangle will have you laughing out loud. The New York Times called it “so full of theatrical intelligence and writerly skill that it consistently pleases.”

In the Mood by Kathleen Clark

Director TBD

Previews August 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 @ 2pm

Opening Night/Press Night August 6 @ 8pm

Closes August 13

World Premiere

The World Premiere of a romantic comedy in which a couple rides the roller coaster of love and marriage. As Perri Rubin makes final preparations for the perfect surprise party in their penthouse apartment, the situation starts to spin out of control. In the best traditions of Wilde and Coward, In The Mood sings with sharp repartee and biting humor.

Period of Adjustment by Tennessee Williams

Directed by David Auburn

Previews August 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 @ 2pm

Opening Night/Press Night August 20 @ 8pm

Closes September 3

Ralph Bates is a Korean War hero facing problems with his in-laws. His former comrade George has just married the beautiful but naïve Isabel, but he’s suffering with “the shakes.” They meet up on a snowy Christmas Eve in Tennessee where all of their problems come to a head. A self-described “serious comedy,” Williams has once again filled the stage with compelling characters dealing with the most difficult of problems in real ways.

At the Unicorn Theatre (6 East St, Stockbridge)

Ticket prices for all events $15-$39 unless otherwise noted.

Performance schedule is Monday, Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday and Saturday at 2pm unless otherwise noted.

Moonchildren by Michael Weller

Directed by Karen Allen

Previews June 28, 29, 30, July 1, 2 @ 2pm

Opening Night/Press Night July 2 @ 8pm

Closes July 16

Often cited as the definitive play about young adults of the 1960’s, Michael Weller’s show is a stunning picture of a turbulent time. Set over the course of the 1965-1966 school year in an unnamed college town, eight students embark on their final year of study against the backdrop of a world enmeshed in struggles over feminism, civil rights and the Vietnam war. As the pressures and pains of the “real world” touch upon the friends, their coming-of-age provides a mirror of the sea change occurring throughout the country. Gripping, funny, and fully realized, Moonchildren is an under-appreciated masterwork by one of our great writers.

Dutch Masters by Greg Keller

Directed by TBA

Previews July 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 @ 2pm

Opening Night/Press Night July 23 @ 8pm

Closes August 6

World Premiere!

In the summer of 1992, two young adult men find themselves on the same subway car headed uptown. One white, one black, the two will discover over the course of one afternoon exactly what it is that unites and divides them. A dramatic comedy that continually surprises and defies expectation, Dutch Masters is a shocking examination of race relations in our time. This production is part of Lift Ev’ry Voice, Celebrating African-American Culture & Heritage in the Berkshires.

Finian’s Rainbow Book by E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, Music by Burton Lane

Directed by Kyle Fabel

Previews August 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 @ 2pm

Opening Night August 13 @ 8pm

Closes August 27

A production of the Unicorn Company (BTF’s pre-professional acting troupe)

Tickets $15-$34

BTF’s pre-professional Unicorn Company will once again be filling the Berkshires with song in this classic comedic tale. Finian and his daughter Sharon have come to Missitucky from Ireland with a stolen pot of gold which Finian believes he can make grow by burying it near Fort Knox. When the wronged leprechaun catches up with them, hijinks ensue. This musical, in a lovely two-piano arrangement, is full of comedy, political satire and some of the best tunes in the American Musical songbook. Following in the footsteps of Babes in Arms and Candide, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Birthday Boy by Chris Newbound

Directed by Wes Grantom

Preview August 30

Opening Night/Press Night Wednesday, August 31 @ 7pm

Runs Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm

1st Closing September 3

Reopens September 29 (runs Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Saturday & Sunday at 2pm)

Final Closing October 16

World Premiere!

Part of the Made in the Berkshires festival

As Matt nears his fortieth birthday, he finds himself at a crossroads in his life. His wife Arianne wants to take a mud season vacation to Vermont. His job is safe, though far from stimulating. When he begins a flirtation with a comely colleague he finds himself discovering just how absurd everyday life can be. This world premiere work provides a comic look at marriage, life and growing older.

Tickets

Season passes to the full slate of BTF plays as well as to the Colonial are still available. Contact the BTF Box Office at (413) 298-5576 or visit www.berkshiretheatre.org for more information on a BTF Season Pass. Contact the Colonial Box Office at (413) 997-4444 or visit www.thecolonialtheatre.org for more information on a Colonial Season Pass

Member tickets for Colonial events are exclusively available from February 25-March 13. Contact the Colonial Box Office at (413) 997-4444 or visit www.thecolonialtheatre.org for more information.

Single tickets for all events go on sale March 14 to the general public. For BTF productions (including Tommy) contact the BTF Box Office at (413) 298-5576 or visit www.berkshiretheatre.org to purchase. For Colonial events contact the Colonial Box Office at (413) 997-4444 or visit www.thecolonialtheatre.org for more information.