The schedule for Shakespeare & Company’s 2015 summer season includes three Shakespeare plays, Henry V, The Comedy of Errors and Hamlet, plus the Regional Premiere of Red Velvet by Lolita Chakrabarti, and the World Premiere of Jane Anderson’s Mother of the Maid, which stars former artistic director and company co-founder Tina Packer. Running from Memorial Day weekend through mid-September, S & Co.’s schedule opens with The How and the Why, a new play by Sarah Treem, and also features The Unexpected Man by Yasmina Reza.
S & Co. Bernstein Theatre – THE HOW AND THE WHY
- by Sarah Treem
- Directed by Nicole Ricciardi
- May 22 – July 26, 2015
- Bernstein Theater
Two brilliant female scientists meet on the eve of a national conference and find themselves clashing over their views on men and women, love and conflict, genes and destiny. From the writer of House of Cards and In Treatment, this smart-witted, sharp new comedy will have audiences questioning their ideas about sex.
S & Co. Bernstein Theatre – HENRY V
- by William Shakespeare
- Directed by Jenna Ware
- June 18 – August 23
- Bernstein Theater
- Starring Ryan Winkles
This epic tale chronicles the infamous journey of a disaffected prince to legendary king, when a man sets out to repair his broken nation, prove his worth, and win the affections of the French Princess. This intimate ‘bare Bard’ production emphasizes the power of language and ferocity of war.
S & Co. Packer Playhouse – THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
- by William Shakespeare
- Directed by Taibi Magar
- July 2 – August 23
- Packer Playhouse
Two sets of twins. One tiny island. Unlimited chaos. Shakespeare’s classic farce delivers a theatrical whirlwind of magic, music and mayhem involving mistaken identities, accidental seductions and daring heists.
S & Co. Packer Playhouse – THE UNEXPECTED MAN
- by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton
- Directed by Seth Gordon
- July 18 – September 6
- Packer Playhouse
A middle-aged man and w0man sit opposite each other in a train compartment on a journey from Paris to Frankfurt. He is a world famous author; she, one of his biggest fans, carries his latest novel in her handbag and ponders the dilemma of reading it in front of him. From the creator of Art and God of Carnage, this illuminating drama explores themes of intimacy, celebrity, and second chances.
S & Co. Bernstein Theatre – THE MOTHER OF THE MAID
- by Jane Anderson (rights pending)
- Directed by Matthew Penn
- July 30 – September 6
- Bernstein Theatre
- Starring Tina Packer
Penned by the Emmy award-winning writer of Mad Men and Olive Kitteridge, this powerful and dark comedy follows the tale of Joan of Arc, as seen through the eyes of her mum who is doing her very best to accept the fact that her daughter is different. Parenthood, religion, sexuality and politics all play a role; Tina Packer stars as the Mother of the Maid.
S & Co. Packer Playhouse – RED VELVET
- by Lolita Chakrabarti
- Directed by Daniela Varon
- August 6 – September 13
- Packer Playhouse
- Starring John Douglas Thompson
An imagined version of true events, Red Velvet is the story of Ira Aldridge, the first African-American actor to play Othello on the English stage in 1833. Fresh from his critically acclaimed performances in Tamburlaine (TFANA) and The Iceman Cometh (BAM), OBIE Award-winning actor John Douglas Thompson stars as Ira Aldridge in this powerful play where lines are blurred between race, friendship, betrayal and art.
S & Co. Packer Playhouse – CRY HAVOC
- by Stephen Wolfert (rights pending)
- August 28 & 29
- Packer Playhouse
Using Shakespeare’s timeless words, and a few of his own, Shakespeare & Company Training alumnus and US military veteran Stephan Wolfert performs an interactive play that weaves his own experience with some of Shakespeare’s most iconic military figures. A testament to the healing power of art and human resilience, this piece reveals how Shakespeare’s audiences wrestled with the same hopes and fears that occupy our modern lives.
S & Co. Rose Footprint Theatre – SHAKESPEARE AND THE LANGUAGE THAT SHAPED A WORLD
- by Kevin G. Coleman
- July 10 – August 15
- Rose Footprint Theatre
This fast-paced mashup of scenes, facts, sword-play and quotes from many of Shakespeare’s greatest plays is an accessible introduction to Bard and fun for the entire family. Directed by Kevin G. Coleman.
The Dell at the Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home – HAMLET
- by William Shakespeare
- Directed by Jonathan Croy
- July 16 – August 22
- The Dell at the Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home
Shakespeare’s masterpiece, performed ‘bare Bard’ style in a 90-minute performance in the Dell at The Mount. Grounds are open for picnicking prior to each performance.
S & Co. Benefit at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
August 3, 2015 at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Gt. Barrington, MA – Program featuring Broadway’s brightest stars to benefit Shakespeare & Company’s Education and Training programs; Produced by Deborah Grausman, Directed by Sam Scalamoni.
Shakespeare & Company tickets and box office info.
- 70 Kemble Street
- Lenox, MA 01240
- phone: 413-637-1199
- www.shakespeare.org
Hotels near Shakespeare & Company
- Days Inn – Lenox MA
- Howard Johnson Express Inn
- Cranwell Resort Spa and Golf
- Econo Lodge Lenox
- Hampton Inn Suites
- Wheatleigh
- The Village Inn
- Yankee Inn
- Knights Inn Lenox
- Canyon Ranch Lenox
- Kemble Inn
- Wagon Wheel Motel
- Whistlers Inn
- Garden Gables Inn
- Cornell Inn
- Hampton Terrace
Restaurants near Shakespeare & Company
Luau Hale Asian Polynesian – Lenox
Prime Italian Steakhouse & Bar – Lenox