(WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.) – Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF) kicks off its summer season with a production of the Ring Lardner and George S. Kaufman 1929 classic comic romance “June Moon,” running Wednesday, July 2, 2014, through Sunday, July 13, on the Mainstage.
Based on the Lardner short story “Some Like Them Cold,” about a love affair that loses steam before it ever gets started, it includes songs with words and music by Lardner but is not considered a musical per se.
Earnest and gullible young lyricist Fred Stevens boards a train in Schenectady bound for the Big Apple, determined to make a name for himself in the thriving Tin Pan Alley scene. However, the life he’s imagined is rife with seductive distractions — namely dames — that threaten to derail his dream of penning the next big ditty. Both bitterly funny and deliciously literate, legendary humorists Ring Lardner and George S. Kaufman celebrate and skewer the perishable pop of yesteryear.
Orson Welles and Jack Benny are among those who played in “June Moon.” A 1974 PBS broadcast included Susan Sarandon, Kevin McCarthy, Lee Meredith, Estelle Parsons, frequent WTF actor Austin Pendleton, and Stephen Sondheim in supporting roles.
June Moon marks director Jessica Stone’s return to the WTF stage following her runaway festival hits A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Last of the Red Hot Lovers. The June Moon company includes Jason Bowen, WTF veteran Nate Corddry (WTF’s True West, Harry’s Law), Diana DiMarzio (WTF’s Ten Cents a Dance, Sweeney Todd) as Goldie, Holley Fain (WTF’s She Stoops to Conquer), Melanie Field (Evita), WTF alum Christopher Fitzgerald (WTF’s A Funny Thing Happened…, Wicked), Rick Holmes (Peter and the Starcatcher), Kate MacCluggage, Rachel Napoleon, David Turner (WTF’s A Funny Thing Happened…), Timothy Shew (Evita), with John Bambery, Whitney Brown, Tesiana Elie, Dennis Kozee, and Amanda Schechtman rounding out the cast.
Tickets for all Williamstown Theatre Festival productions can be purchased online at Williamstown Theatre Festival, by phone at 413-597-3400, or in person at the ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance Box Office at 1000 Main St (Route 2), Williamstown, MA 02167.
Since 1955, the Williamstown Theatre Festival has brought America’s finest actors, directors, designers, and playwrights to the Berkshires, engaging a loyal audience of both residents and summer visitors. Each WTF season is designed to present unique opportunities for artists and audience alike, revisiting classic plays with innovative productions, developing and nurturing bold new plays and musicals, and offering a rich array of accompanying cultural events including Free Theatre, Late-Night Cabarets, readings, workshops, and educational programs. While best known for our acclaimed productions, WTF is also home to one of the nation’s top training and professional development programs for new generations of aspiring theatre artists and administrators. WTF was honored with the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 2002 and the Commonwealth Award for Achievement in 2011.
WILLIAMSTOWN THEATRE FESTIVAL 2014 SEASON SUMMARY
MAIN STAGE
June Moon: July 2 – July 13, 2013
By Ring Lardner and George S. Kaufman Directed by Jessica Stone
Living on Love: July 16-26, 2014
By Joe DiPietro and Garson Kanin
Based on the play Peccadillo by Garson Kanin Directed by Kathleen Marshall
The Visit: August 1 – 18, 2013
Book by Terrence McNally
Music by John Kander; Lyrics by Fred Ebb Choreographed by Graciela Daniele Directed by John Doyle
NIKOS STAGE
A Great Wilderness: July 9-20, 2014
By Samuel Hunter Directed by Eric Ting
Fool For Love: July 24-August 2, 2014
By Sam Shepard Directed by Daniel Aukin
The Old Man and the Old Moon: August 6-17, 2014
By PigPen Theatre Co.
Directed by Stuart Carden and PigPen Theatre Co.
FREE THEATRE
Robin Hood
July 16-19; July 22-25, 2014
FREE at Poker Flats Field at 7:30 PM By Larry Blamire
Directed by Stella Powell-Jones
SPECIAL EVENTS
Just Call Me Nikos | July 7, 2014 at 7:30 PM
A Benefit Celebrating former Artistic Director Nikos Psacharopoulos, Main Stage
Living with Lewis | July 21, 2014 at 7:30 PM
An Evening of Stand-Up with Lewis Black Main Stage
The Skivvies | July 27 and July 28, 2014 at 7:30 PM
Center Stage
Late Night Cabaret Series | July 10-12; July 24-26; August 7-9, 2014 at 10:30 PM Goodrich Hall