Thanks to WAM Theatre, in November you are going to have a chance to meet the three Fine sisters (seen above in photo by Enrico Spada) in a whacky and wonderful play with the unwieldy title of The Attic, the Pearls, and Three Fine Girls. (Attic and Pearls for short.) It was workshopped, improvised, and created by a quintet of Canadian writers: Jennifer Brewin, Leah Cherniak, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Alisa Palmer, and Martha Ross.
The production will be the Berkshire Premiere of Attic and Pearls which the Ottawa Citizen called “a piece of theatre with warmth, humour and irresistible broadness of heart”. In keeping with WAM’s double philanthropic mission, a portion of proceeds from the production will be donated to the Berkshire United Way Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative. The production will run November 3-20 at Barrington Stage Company Stage 2 in Pittsfield.
A Curious Play
As critic Russ Hunt noted in his review (link) of an earlier production, we meet “The three Fine sisters, reunited uncomfortably by the death of their father. Excess runs rampant, until by the finish we’re watching a half-clothed lesbian power broker, a nearly psychotic frustrated academic, and a certifiably loony pregnant conceptual artist wrestling over an ancient yellow chiffon dress, a tambourine, and a cake knife in a deserted attic. Excessive? You bet. Funny? For sure. Significant and moving? Well, surprisingly, yes to that too.”
WAM Theatre presents The Attic, The Pearls and Three Fine Girls at Barrington Stage Company, November 2011.
Attic and Pearls lets us eavesdrop on the three Fine sisters at a critical juncture in their lives. Jojo is a university professor obsessed with Brecht (to be played by Barbara Cardillo), Jayne is a bi-sexual corporate shark (to be played by Deann Simmons Halper) and Jelly is an eccentric artist who loves boxes (to be played by Karen Lee). A poignant romp through the attic in the home of their recently-deceased father reminds the Fine sisters of their childhood and forces them to redefine their future together.
A great cast
Barbara Cardillo (Jojo) Ms. Cardillo has been seen on stage at the Berkshire Theatre Festival, Boston Playwright’s Theatre, and is a founding member of Royal Berkshire Improvisation Troupe.
Karen Lee (Jelly) Ms. Lee’s Berkshire acting credits include The Wharton Salon, Shakespeare & Company, New Stage Performing Arts Center and Mixed Company.
Deann Simmons Halper (Jayne) Ms. Simmons Halper’s credits include work off Broadway in New York City, as well as locally with Sharon Playhouse and Barrington Stage Company.
WAM, The Theatre Company that gives back to the community
“WAM Theatre is delighted to continue to realize our mission of using theatre to benefit women and girls by producing this Berkshire Premiere with this incredible cast and creative team” said Kristen van Ginhoven, WAM Theatre’s Artistic Director. “Having Berkshire United Way’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (TPPI) as the beneficiary for this production is WAM’s way of supporting the agencies, organizations and volunteers who are working together to address teen pregnancy as part of TPPI.”
“WAM’s commitment to organizations that benefit the lives of women and girls in our community is aligned with the mission of the TPPI. Teen pregnancy prevention obviously isn’t only a women’s issue, but our strategies to improve sexual health information, increase access to contraceptives and help our kids see a bright future will help improve the lives of young women throughout Berkshire County,” adds Kristine Hazzard, President and CEO of Berkshire United Way.
Playing at Barrington Stage Company’s Stage 2
Located in downtown Pittsfield, just one block off of North Street at 36 Linden Street, the comedy will have ten performances, with the matinees featuring a talk back with the company. On November 11 there will be a networking party following the performance.
Performances and Tickets
Thursday, November 3 @ 8:00pm- Preview
Friday, November 4 @ 8:00pm-Opening Night
Saturday, November 5 @ 8:00pm
Sunday, November 6 @ 3pm (followed by a talkback)
Friday, November 11 @ 8pm –WAM SLAM*
Saturday, November 12 @ 8pm
Sunday, November 13 @ 3pm (followed by a talkback)
Friday, November 18 @ 8pm
Saturday, November 19 @ 8pm
Sunday, November 20 @ 3pm (followed by a talkback)
*WAM SLAM-This performance will be followed by a raffle/networking event post show with the cast in the Barrington Stage 2 Bar, sponsored by Mission Bar and Tapas. A perfect outing for groups, organizations and businesses. Contact Corissa Bryant at corissa@wamtheatre.com for more info and to book your group tickets.
There are two tiers of prices, one for previews the other for the post-opening run. Previews are priced at -$20 for Adults and $12 for Students. Regular prices for the balance of the run are $25 for adults and $15 for students. Call 1-800-838-3006 or go to www.WAMTheatre.com to purchase tickets.
Cast
Barbara Cardillo (Jojo) Ms. Cardillo has been seen on stage at the Berkshire Theatre Festival, Boston Playwright’s Theatre, and is a founding member of Royal Berkshire Improvisation Troupe.
Karen Lee (Jelly) Ms. Lee’s Berkshire acting credits include The Wharton Salon, Shakespeare & Company, New Stage Performing Arts Center and Mixed Company.
Deann Simmons Halper (Jayne) Ms. Simmons Halper’s credits include work off Broadway in New York City, as well as locally with Sharon Playhouse and Barrington Stage Company.
Creative Team
Kristen van Ginhoven-Director
Corissa Bryant-Associate Producer
Juliana von Haubrich-Scenic Design
Arthur Oliver-Costume Design
Brad Berridge-Sound Design
Jeff Roudabush + Nick Webb-Lighting Design
Ryan Winkles-Fight Choreographer
Christopher Donovan-Stage Manager
Tina Padgett-Assistant Stage Manager
Emily Curro-Assistant Director/Dramaturge
Enrico Spada-Graphic Design
More about WAM Theatre
Inspired by the book ‘Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide’ by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, WAM Theatre was founded in 2009 by professional theatre artists Kristen van Ginhoven and Leigh Strimbeck. WAM’s philanthropic mission is two-fold; first, producing theatrical events for everyone, with a focus on women theatre artists and/or the stories of women and girls; second, to donate a portion of proceeds from those events to organizations that benefit women and girls. WAM Theatre is based in the Berkshires of Massachusetts and the Capital Region of New York State. www.WAMTheatre.com
To learn more about the Berkshire United Way Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, go to www.berkshireunitedway.org.
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