More than just a hint, Barrington Stage Company (BSC), the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd, and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, has executed a September Surprise. BSC has officially announced two 2013 productions to be presented at the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage (30 Union Street, Pittsfield).

Opening the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage in June will be the landmark Broadway musical On the Town, which was a perfect blend of Americana, romance, and searching in post-WWII America. The upbeat tale of three sailors on liberty was made into a movie (excerpts above) with Frank Sinatra, Jules Munshin and Gene Kelly, Fancy Free is the ballet upon which it is based, and which continues to be performed as a salute to the USA.

A rare revival, On the Town introduced to Broadway the genius talents of Leonard Bernstein (music), Jerome Robbins (director and choreographer) and Betty Comden and Adolph Green (music and lyrics)  Set in 1944, On the Town is the story of three sailors on a 24-hour leave in New York City. Squeezed for time, they somehow manage to find love and incredible adventures in the Big Apple.  Inspired by Jerome Robbins’ ballet “Fancy Free,” On the Town includes such memorable musical numbers as “New York, New York,” “Lonely Town” and the hilarious “I Can Cook, Too” as well as the famed Coney Island Ballet.

uch Ado About Nothing has been announced for August at the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage. It is the first-ever Shakespeare play to be undertaken by the company. 

Directed by Julianne Boyd and starring BSC veteran actors Christopher Innvar, Gretchen Egolf and Mark H. Dold, Much Ado About Nothing is one of the greatest romantic comedies ever written. The dazzling love story between the headstrong Beatrice (Gretchen Egolf) and the confirmed bachelor Benedick (Christopher Innvar) – both always ready to do combat with a “merry war” of witty insults  – is set against a darker story of intrigue and deceit as the machinations of Don John (Mark H. Dold), an illegitimate half-brother of the reigning Prince, unfold.

Stay tuned for an announcement of another Mainstage show, a soon-to-be-announced powerful drama.

“Our love for musicals continues as we look forward to producing On The Town, one of the “dancing-est” musicals ever written, with the rapturous music of Leonard Bernstein,” commented Artistic Director Julianne Boyd. “And we’re tremendously excited about presenting Much Ado, a play we’ve wanted to do for a long time. Now the stars are aligned, the actors are available and we’re moving ahead with an August production.”

2013 Season Passes Now on Sale

For the 2013 Season, Barrington Stage is introducing the Premium Combo Pass which includes seven shows for the price of five. This pass is the best value of the season and provides a savings of up to 31% off the 2013 single ticket price. Combo passes include front orchestra section A seating at all three shows at the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage on any date, including On the Town and Much Ado About Nothing, plus tickets to any date at all four St. Germain Stage shows (to be announced).*

For ticket/subscription information: barringtonstageco.org or call 413 236-8888 | 413 499-5446 | 413 499-5447

Patrons who order a 2013 pass by October 31, 2012 will get early access to the best seats beginning January 1, 2013, and the $5 per pass handling fee will be waived.

*Stand alone Mainstage Passes can also be purchased at this time and are available for a range of prices and seating sections. Passes for St. Germain Stage alone are not for sale at this time, but may be available at a later date.

About Barrington Stage Company

Barrington Stage Company, a professional award-winning Equity regional theatre located in the heart of the Berkshires, in Pittsfield, MA, was co-founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Julianne Boyd. Barrington Stage’s mission is three-fold: to present top-notch, compelling work; to develop new plays and musicals; and to find fresh, bold ways to bringing new audiences into the theatre—especially young people. Barrington Stage garnered national attention in 2004 when it workshopped, and premiered William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s musical hit The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which later transferred to Broadway,  where it won two Tony Awards and played more than 1,000 performances. In 2009/2010 Barrington Stage produced the world premiere of Mark St. Germain’s Freud’s Last Session, which later moved Off-Broadway and played 775 performances. Barrington Stage was voted “Best Live Theatre” by The Berkshire Eagle readers in 2011 and 2012 and was named “Best Theatre Company” in Metroland’s Best of the Capital Region 2009-2012.