Williamstown-Theatre-Festival 3

Coming Attractions in Theater: July 2011

June 29, 2011

We are hitting the season of high summer now, with productions coming fast and furious. As is my wont, I will single out shows that are off-the-beaten path. This is not to say that the production of “Guys and Dolls” at the Barrington Stage Company isn’t as terrific as I have heard it is. Only that I want to venture beyond brand name material.

Coming Attractions in Theater: August 2010

July 31, 2010

Posted in Coming Attractions, Featured, Theater

The summer season winds down with (too) many of the usual crowd-pleasers, enlivened by a couple of world premieres, a re-vamping of an Oscar Wilde warhorse, and an encounter with non-being, courtesy of Edward Albee. By Bill Marx The Taster by Joan Ackermann. Directed by Tina Packer. Staged by Shakespeare & Company at the Founders’…

Coming Attactions in Theater: July 2010

June 28, 2010

Posted in Coming Attractions, Featured, Theater

Underneath the discouraging array of customary exhibitions there are some reassuring productions of the new this month, with a smattering of New England and world premieres. Culture Vulture thinks that Richard III will be a highlight at Shakespeare & Co; I am also intrigued by Company One drawing on local playwrights to revamp the tales…

Coming Attractions in Theater: June 2010

May 31, 2010

Posted in Books, Coming Attractions, Featured, Theater

By Bill Marx Summer has never been a time for theaters taking chances and the sluggish economy only encourages the hot weather drift to safety. But there’s some funky activity around the margins as well as encouraging news about Shakespeare & Company’s finances. Also, the Gloucester Stage Company has forsaken last year’s geriatric lineup and…

Theater Review: Bearing “The Torch-Bearers”

August 4, 2009

Posted in Books, Featured, Theater

By Bill Marx George Kelly’s 1922 comedy about amateur theatrics gone wild is showing its age. The Torch-Bearers, by George Kelly. Adapted and directed by Dylan Baker. Presented by the Williamstown Theatre Festival, through August 9, 2009. Katie Finneran, Edward Herrmann, and Andrea Martin acting up a storm as amateur thespians in The Torch-Bearers. Critics…

Theater Commentary: Dating Dürrenmatt

August 21, 2007

Posted in Books, Featured, Theater

When should a play be labeled dated and consigned to the junk heap of time? No playwright is safe from the charge of being called passé: one reviewer’s breath of fresh air from the past is another’s antiquated wheeze.