Barrington Stage Company Presents SEE HOW THEY RUN, Now thru 8/26

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield, under the leadership of Artistic Director, Julianne Boyd, and Managing Director, TriStan Wilson, continues its 2012 season with Philip King's farce, See How They Run, from tonight, August 9 through August 26 on the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage (30 Union Street, Pittsfield).  Directed by Jeff Steitzer, See How They Run opens Sunday, August 12 at 5pm.

 

Before there was Michael Frayn's Noises Off, there was Philip King's See How They Run, which proves the British know what they are doing when it comes to creating door-slamming hilarity. 

 

See How They Run takes its title is a line from the nursery rhyme "Three Blind Mice." King's whirlwind comedy is set during World War II, in the living room of a vicarage in the fictitious village of Merton-cum-Middlewick, as a young vicar's wife tries to fit into a small, tightly knit English village.  Prepare to be out of breath from laughter as mistaken identities and ludicrous situations run wild in this irrepressible English farce.  

 

The cast of Barrington Stage's production stars Lisa McCormick (Penelope Toop), Cary Donaldson (The Rev. Lionel Toop), DIna Thomas (Ida), Michele Tauber (Miss Skillon), Michael Brusasco (Corporal Clive Winton),Jim Schubin (The Intruder), Keith Jochim (The Bishop of Lax), Jeff Brooks (The Rev. Arthur Humphrey), andDon Lee Sparks (Sergeant Towers).

 

The design team includes Bill Clarke (sets), Philip S. Rosenberg (lights), Sara Jean Tosetti (costumes), andJessica Paz (sound).  Renee Lutz is production stage manager.

 

Philip King (Playwright) Born in 1904, King was a British playwright and actor who first became immersed in the world of theatre by touring with a company in northern England at the age of sixteen. After, at the Repertory Company at the Opera House, King was introduced to his first directing opportunities. It was also here that his first comedy, Without the Prince, was brought to life. First published in London in 1939, King became well known throughout his career not only for his playwriting, but also for appearing on stage in his own plays. Although he is best known for See How They Run,he wrote a dozen plays including Big Bad Mouse, Dark Lucy, The Dream House and Go Bang Your Tambourine and co-wrote many more.

 

Jeff Steitzer (Director) has over the past 37 years, directed more than 160 productions in theaters across the country.  Recent projects include:  Black Comedy (Pioneer Theatre Co.), Noises Off (Utah Shakespeare Festival); The Good Doctor (The Rep at PTTP), The Odd Couple (Village Theatre) and Pygmalion (Seattle Shakespeare Co.).  In May, Jeff directed Double Indemnity for the Roundhouse Theatre in Bethesda, MD.  Jeff is also a busy actor who has appeared on Broadway, in Film and TV, and whose voice has been heard in hundreds of commercials and games.

 

Please join us for a Post-Show Discussion with the cast of See How They Run following the Tuesday, August 14 performance.

 

Performances of See How They Run will take place at Barrington Stage Company's Boyd-Quinson Mainstage located at 30 Union Street, Pittsfield, from August 9 through 26. Performances  are Tuesday/Wednesday at 7pm, Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 5pm, Wednesday/Friday at 2pm (excluding 8/10). Tickets are $15-$60; with preview prices of $15 & $20 on August 9 & 10. Seniors: $38 all matinees. Youth 18 and under $15 all performances except Saturday evenings.  Special discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Barrington Stage Box Office at 413-236-8888 or visit www.barringtonstageco.org. The Box Office is located at 30 Union Street.