WAM Theatre Announces Cast for 'Melancholy Play'
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — WAM Theatre returns with Tony-nominated Sarah Ruhl's contemporary farce, "Melancholy Play."This production will run from Nov. 12-21 at the New Stage Performing Arts Center and will feature Betsy Holt (Oldcastle’s ‘Leading Ladies’) as Tilly, Todd Quick (Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey) as Frank, Per Janson (Trinity Rep) as Lorenzo, Karen Lee (The Wharton Salon) as Frances, Erika Helen Smith (Classic Stage Company) as Julian the cellist and Leigh Strimbeck (co-artistic director of WAM) as Joan.
In the play, Tilly, an irresistibly melancholy young stranger, makes her sorrow so sexy that everyone in her life falls maddeningly in love with her. Tilly's sudden joyful transformation results in a mystical and hilarious quest exploring the happiness of melancholy and the melancholy of happiness.
In line with WAM Theatre's philanthropic mission, a portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts.
Kristen van Ginhoven, co-artistic director of WAM Theatre remarked, “We are looking forward to people joining us at New Stage Performing Arts Center for our first full production of a play by a female playwright and our first with a local beneficiary, The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts. By coming to see WAM’s production of ‘Melancholy Play,’ you are helping to create opportunity for women and girls right here in our community!”
Marjorie Hutter, director of philanthropy for The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts said, “I remember when Kristen first called me to talk about the vision for WAM – that offering a theatrical venue for women’s voices and experiences would go hand-in-hand with advancing women’s philanthropy for social change. As the chosen beneficiary of WAM’s fall show, the Women’s Fund couldn’t ask for a better alignment of mission and values. We welcome this terrific opportunity to share with WAM’s audience the impact of our grantmaking in Berkshire County. So when you attend WAM’s fall production, please know that you’ll also be part of changing the world, right here at home!”
Tickets are $25 for the general public, $12 for students. This play is suitable for ages 13 and up. For tickets and showtimes, go to www.wamtheatre.com or call 1-800-838-3006.
About WAM Theatre:
WAM Theatre is a theatre company based in the Berkshires of Massachusetts and the Capital Region of New York State. Inspired by the book "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, WAM Theatre was founded in 2009 by professional theatre artists Kristen van Ginhoven and Leigh Strimbeck. WAM’s philanthropic mission is two-fold. First, producing theatrical events for everyone, with a focus on women theatre artists and/or stories of women and girls. Second, to donate a portion of the proceeds from those events to organizations that benefit women and girls.www.wamtheatre.com.
About The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts:
The vision of the Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts is to empower women and girls to reach their full potential in a world that is just and fair for all. Their mission is to create economic and social equality for women and girls in Western Massachusetts through grantmaking and strategic initiatives. The proceeds donated from this production will be directed to the Fund's grantmaking initiatives. www.womensfund.net.
