Shakespeare & Company welcomes the holidays with a new play, A Companion to Miss Bennet and The Wickhams, set in the world of Pride and Prejudice and based on the characters of Jane Austen.
Georgiana Darcy is an accomplished pianist but wary of romance. Kitty Bennet is a bright-eyed optimist and a perfect best friend. These two younger sisters are ready for their own adventures in life and love, starting with the arrival of an admirer and secret correspondent. Meddlesome families and outmoded expectations won’t stop these determined friends from forging their own way in a holiday tale filled with music, ambition, sisterhood, and forgiveness.
Shows run December 15 to 17, on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 2.
Cast & Crew
Lauren Gunderson
Playwright
Lauren Gunderson has been one of the most produced playwrights in America since 2015, topping the list twice including 2019/20. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for I and You and The Book of Will, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award and the Otis Guernsey New Voices Award, a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and John Gassner Award for Playwriting, and a recipient of the Mellon Foundation’s Residency with Marin Theatre Company. She studied Southern Literature and Drama at Emory University, and Dramatic Writing at NYU’s Tisch School where she was a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship.
Her newest play, The Catastrophist, about her husband virologist Nathan Wolfe, premiered digitally in January 2021. She co-authored the Miss Bennet plays with Margot Melcon, and her audioplay The Half-Life of Marie Curie is available on Audible.com. Her work is published at Playscripts (I and You, Exit Pursued by a Bear, The Taming, and Toil and Trouble), Dramatists Play Service (The Revolutionists, The Book of Will, Silent Sky, Bauer, Natural Shocks, The Wickhams, and Miss Bennet) and Samuel French (Emilie). Her picture book “Dr. Wonderful: Blast Off to the Moon” is available from Two Lions/Amazon. She is currently developing musicals with Ari Afsar, Dave Stewart and Joss Stone, and Kait Kerrigan and Bree Lowdermilk.
Margot Melcon
Margot Melcon
Playwright
Margot Melcon is a theater artist, administrator and writer. She was the Director of New Play Development at Marin Theatre Company for seven years, where she dramaturged over 30 productions—including six world premieres—and administered the company’s two annual new play prizes and commissioning program. She has developed plays with TheatreWorks, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, Crowded Fire Theater, Shotgun Players, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor, the Kennedy Center, the New Harmony Project, and the Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis. She is currently the Program Executive for Promoting Culture at the Zellerbach Family Foundation. Margot is a graduate of California State University, Chico.
Ariel Bock
Director
Pronouns she / her
S&Co: Acting: Duke (Measure for Measure), Rose (The Children), Mom (Ugly Lies the Bone); Mistress Quickly (Henry IV Pts. 1 & 2); Goneril (King Lear); Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing); Elizabeth (Richard III); Audrey (As You Like It); Hippolyta (Midsummer Night’s Dream); The Nurse (Romeo and Juliet); Mistress Quickly (Merry Wives of Windsor); Paulina (The Winter’s Tale), Ruth (Private Eyes), The Woman (Laughing Wild); Arlene (Off the Map) Directing: Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise, Miss Bennet, Christmas at Pemberley; The Wickhams, Christmas at Pemberley; Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility.
At Mixed Company: Ramona (Zara Spook and Other Lures) and Eileen (The Cripple of Inishmaan). With the Ensemble for the Romantic Century in NYC: Nadezhda VonMeck (None But the Lonely Heart), as well as Fanny Mendelsohn, Emily Dickinson, Sonia Tolstoy, and Anna Akhmatova (in multiple shows). Ariel is a Designated Linklater Teacher.
Lydia Duff
Georgiana Darcy
Pronouns she / they
Lydia Duff is a theater artist based in Western Massachusetts. She recently completed a BA in Drama and Mandarin Chinese at Bennington College in Vermont. Lydia has received acting training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Connecticut, and has begun training with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators. She is delighted to be having her first season working at Shakespeare & Company after many years of participating in the education programs as a student.
Kristen Moriarty
Jane Bingley
Pronouns she / her
S&Co: Marsha (Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues), Jean Hatch (White Savior), Mrs. Reynolds (The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley), Provost / Mariana (Measure for Measure), Miss Bates (Emma), Olive (The Norwegians), Center for Actor Training Teaching Faculty, Senior Manager of Individual Giving; Chicago: Vitalist Theatre (contributing artist), Lifeline Theatre, Greasy Joan & Co., Emerald City Theatre, Attic Playhouse; Regionally: Elsewhere Shakespeare, Montana Repertory Theatre, Montana Actors Theatre, Classic Theatre Co., Tacoma Little Theatre, Toy Boat Theatre, Philipsburg Theatre. MFA in Acting and instructor of record, University of Montana; BFA Acting/Dance, Adelphi University.
In addition to earning her BFA and MFA in acting, Kristen is a proud alumna of Shakespeare & Company’s Month-long Intensive, which changed her teaching trajectory and her life. She began Teacher Training with the Center for Actor Training in 2017 and was invited to join the teaching faculty in 2022; Kristen is currently training to become a Designated Linklater Teacher. Additionally, she has worked full-time in Development since 2019. Kristen lives with her husband Graham and their two daughters in Lenox where she plays out the best roles ever of wife and mom. This is for them, and for you—the audience; thank you for being here and keeping live theater alive.
Devante Owens
Thomas O’Brien
Pronouns they / them
Recent credits include Touchstone, As You Like It (Catskill Mountain Shakespeare); Ade, The Easiest Thing (The Tank, NYC debut); S&Co: Conrad / Friar, Much Ado About Nothing, Burgundy, King Lear (starring Christopher Lloyd), Lucentio, The Taming of the Shrew, Dumaine, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Theseus, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ensemble, I HAVE HAD A MOST RARE VISION, Ensemble, Shakespeare and the Language that Shaped the World; Brian, The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley (reading), Mr. Woodhouse, Emma (reading), Ronald Drayton, Autumn (reading), Roger Peterson, Kernel of Sanity (reading); S&Co Regional Tour: Angelo, The Comedy of Errors, Duncan, Macbeth. With a deep interest in classical work and the voice, they are also a teacher and Education Artist with S&Co and have been a devoted student of the Linklater Voice Method for the past five years in the hopes of one day becoming a Designated Linklater Voice Teacher.
By the Way Berkshires is a digital magazine exploring creative life and community — art and performance, food and the outdoors — and I’m writing it for you, with local voices, because I’ve gotten to know this rich part of the world as a writer and journalist, and I want to share it with you.
If you’d like to see the website grow, you can join me for a few dollars a month, enough for a cup of coffee and a cider doughnut. Members get access to extra stories and multimedia, itineraries a bookmark tool. Let me know what you're looking for, and we’ll explore together.
Hancock Shaker Village welcomes visitors to meet their newest farm babies – lambs, piglets, calves, chicks and kid goats, and enjoy events and activities throughout the Village.
Hancock Shaker Village welcomes visitors to meet their newest farm babies – lambs, piglets, calves, chicks and kid goats, and enjoy events and activities throughout the Village.
Igor Simões (State University of Rio Grande do Sul / Clark Fellow) explores the absence of Black Brazilian artists in the international debate on art and the history of Afro-Diasporic art.
Hancock Shaker Village welcomes visitors to meet their newest farm babies – lambs, piglets, calves, chicks and kid goats, and enjoy events and activities throughout the Village.
Naumkeag's annual Spring Celebration returns for its 5th year, as the eight acres of gardens bloom with bulbs to celebrate spring in the Berkshires.
Families with children up to 6 years old are invited to join Mass MoCA museum educators for a storytime and related exploration in the galleries.
Hancock Shaker Village welcomes visitors to meet their newest farm babies – lambs, piglets, calves, chicks and kid goats, and enjoy events and activities throughout the Village.
In this two-part class, botanist Ted Elliman will focus on the wildflowers that grow in Berkshire County’s spring woods.
The Clark screens classic films — Manhatta, inspired by Walt Whitman, and Rien que les heures, showing the life of Paris from dawn to dusk.
Naumkeag's annual Spring Celebration returns for its 5th year, as the eight acres of gardens bloom with bulbs to celebrate spring in the Berkshires.
Hancock Shaker Village welcomes visitors to meet their newest farm babies – lambs, piglets, calves, chicks and kid goats, and enjoy events and activities throughout the Village.
First Fridays @ Five brings a new festival to downtown Pittsfield, with fire dancing with Opal Raven Cirque at Persip Park, a makers market and beer garden, live ceramics and more.
May’s First Friday comes to North Adams with Flower Power — with live music, food trucks and vendors, openings and events focused on starting fresh.
Founded by singer-guitarist Sean Walsh, The National Reserve blend R&B, Laurel Canyon lyricism, New Orleans funk, late night soul, and bluesy rock ‘n’ roll.
This four-part class will revisit trees through the seasons and witness their unique characteristics with and without leaves.
Tom Ingersoll and Melissa LeVangie-Ingersoll look at trees in the Spring season and witness their unique characteristics with and without leaves.
Naumkeag's annual Spring Celebration returns for its 5th year, as the eight acres of gardens bloom with bulbs to celebrate spring in the Berkshires.
Berkshire Botanical Garden will hold a workshop in creating and using herbal infused oils — lip balms, skin salves, and roll-on perfume/bug repellent.
Milne Public Library celebrates books and the people who read them, with two staged readings of The Book Club Play, a comedy by Karen Zacarias — held at Sweetwood.
Berkshire Botanical Garden’s 90th outdoor season opens with the their annual community celebration steeped in history and tradition.
Every first Sunday of the month, Pete Toigo and Dave Bartley bring a morning of music — soulful jazz and blues with Pete on bass and Dave piano and vocals.
Naumkeag's annual Spring Celebration returns for its 5th year, as the eight acres of gardens bloom with bulbs to celebrate spring in the Berkshires.
Inspired by May's First Sunday Free theme, 'Giddy Up!' , the Clark offers a free display of works on paper in the Manton Study Center for Works on Paper.
Hancock Shaker Village welcomes visitors to meet their newest farm babies – lambs, piglets, calves, chicks and kid goats, and enjoy events and activities throughout the Village.
In this Research and Academic Program lecture, Michael Gaudio (University of Minnesota / Clark Professor 2023–2024) explores Native burial mounds.
On the day of each new moon — believed by many to be a time of rebirth — visitors to Like Magic at Mass MoCA are invited into Grace Clark’s 'In a new light (Healing Dirt).'
Inspired by the open jams from the formative era of jazz, Band leader Luke Franco and host Brian Kantor will hold a monthly evening of music.
Naumkeag's annual Spring Celebration returns for its 5th year, as the eight acres of gardens bloom with bulbs to celebrate spring in the Berkshires.
Hoffmann Bird Club will lead a weekly spring bird walk along the River Walk in Great Barrington, looking for returning birds in migration season.
Each supper at Hancock Shaker Village offers authentic Shaker recipes prepared by a local chef and served communal style followed by a Shaker focused program.
Northshire partners with Yaddo to present an evening with Adam Moss, the former editor of New York Magazine, on his new book, The Work of Art.
Canoe Meadows' beautiful grounds are ideal for spotting migrant species, especially colorful wood-warblers, orioles and thrushes.
The Berkshire Botanical Garden holds their 47th Annual Plants-and-Answers Plant Sale will on May 10 and 11, curated by BBG’s horticulture staff.
Naumkeag's annual Spring Celebration returns for its 5th year, as the eight acres of gardens bloom with bulbs to celebrate spring in the Berkshires.
Works on Paper invites artists of all experience and skill levels to work closely with thematic selections of drawings from the Clark’s collection.
Joseph Bruchac, a citizen and member of the Elders Council of the Nulhegan Abenaki Nation, and an award-winning writer, poet, musician, and traditional storyteller, celebrates his beloved novel.
Pleasant Valley's beaver ponds, wetlands, woods, and meadows are perfect places to see warblers, tanagers, orioles and more during spring migration and nesting season.
The market returns with fruits and greens and cheeses, locally roasted coffee and brewed cider — popsicles, mushrooms, Berkshire Mountain Bakery sourdough bread, fresh berries ...
Locally roasted coffee, native plants or gently herbed hand cream ... the regular Pittsfield Farmers Market welcomes in farmers and artisans together.
The Berkshire Botanical Garden holds their 47th Annual Plants-and-Answers Plant Sale will on May 10 and 11, curated by BBG’s horticulture staff.
Wing and a Prayer offers a Tea & Scones in the Garden Amy Pulley's native plant nursery, for a sneak preview of the plants and the spring season.
Naumkeag's annual Spring Celebration returns for its 5th year, as the eight acres of gardens bloom with bulbs to celebrate spring in the Berkshires.
Naumkeag will celebrate Mother’s Day weekend at the Daffodil and Tulip Festival with a tea in the gardens — with sweet pastries and traditional english scones with jam.
Working with the BBG’s vegetable garden, chef and farmer Miriam Rubin will harvest from the garden, then head into the kitchen to make a multiple-course meal.
Decorate a token of appreciation for the mothers and maternal figures in your life at the Clark’s card-making station, listen to a free chamber music concert and more.
This year's Lenett Fellows, Ricardo Mercado Ruiz and Destini Ross (Williams College M.A. Class of 2024), present the work they have produced during their fellowship.
Mass Audubon will explore Edith Wharton's historic home, including its woods, wetlands, and meadows, to find birds by sight and sound.
The Clark invites visitors to look contemplatively as a way to engage with works of art from the museum’s collection.
Dewey Hall holds storytelling events with a group discussion exploring themes, similarities and contrasts within the stories as a whole
Hoffmann Bird Club will lead a weekly spring bird walk along the River Walk in Great Barrington, looking for returning birds in migration season.
Jean Vigo’s film exposes the seedier side of life on the French Riviera, contrasting the labor of low-paid workers with the idle tourists as the city prepares for carnival.
Elizabeth and the Catapult, Autumn Nicholas and Monica Giraldo offer an intimate evening of songs and stories unbounded by tradition, pre-conceptions and expectations.
Farmers, food producers, artists and artisans will gather in the expanded parking lot at the end of Spring Street every Saturday in summer and fall.
Chocolate peanut butter cookies, fresh flowers, jams and pickles and cheeses ... the North Adams Farmers Market returns weekly with more than a dozen farmers and makers.
The market returns with fruits and greens and cheeses, locally roasted coffee and brewed cider — popsicles, mushrooms, Berkshire Mountain Bakery sourdough bread, fresh berries ...
Locally roasted coffee, native plants or gently herbed hand cream ... the regular Pittsfield Farmers Market welcomes in farmers and artisans together.
Families with children up to 6 years old are invited to join Mass MoCA museum educators for a storytime and related exploration in the galleries.
A Clark educator leads a thematic tour of highlights of the Clark’s Impressionist art collection by artists like Renoir, Monet, Pissarro and Cassa.
Clark educators lead a free program with slow engagement with nature and art — a mindful walk in the woods to engage your senses and an experience with art in the galleries.
Conceived by performer, composer and American Modern Opera Company (AMOC*) member Keir GoGwilt, Zarabanda Variations bring together a group of visionary composers, improvisers and performers.
People living with dementia and their care-partners can join the museum on select Mondays for open-ended conversations about art.
Mass Audubon will explore Edith Wharton's historic home, including its woods, wetlands, and meadows, to find birds by sight and sound.
The West Stockbridge Farmers Market offers fresh produce — fruits and vegetables in season, eggs, meats and cheeses, breads and baked goods, fudge and jams and more.
Hoffmann Bird Club will lead a weekly spring bird walk along the River Walk in Great Barrington, looking for returning birds in migration season.
David-Jeremiah, the artist of I Drive Thee, this year’s public spaces installation at the Clark, celebrates the launch of the exhibition publication.
The Lenox Farmers Market returns on Friday afternoons with organic produce, sweets, fresh-baked breads and more.
The Sheffield Farmers Market returns outdoors with some 20 vendors — from pickles, seasonings and garlic, to Naji’s Mediterranean Cuisine, baked fresh wheat-free breads, local meats, honey and maple syrup and more.
Farmers, food producers, artists and artisans will gather in the expanded parking lot at the end of Spring Street every Saturday in summer and fall.
Chocolate peanut butter cookies, fresh flowers, jams and pickles and cheeses ... the North Adams Farmers Market returns weekly with more than a dozen farmers and makers.
The market returns with fruits and greens and cheeses, locally roasted coffee and brewed cider — popsicles, mushrooms, Berkshire Mountain Bakery sourdough bread, fresh berries ...
Locally roasted coffee, native plants or gently herbed hand cream ... the regular Pittsfield Farmers Market welcomes in farmers and artisans together.
A Clark educator will lead a tour of the permanent collection galleries to talk about the Institute's history and work.
Of Words and Music explores creative pairs of works with the same text settings by Tallis, Haydn, Biebl, Lauridsen, Barber, Bloch, and Burleigh, among others.
Mass Audubon will explore Edith Wharton's historic home, including its woods, wetlands, and meadows, to find birds by sight and sound.
Naturalist and wild edibles enthusiast Arianna Alexsandra Collins from the Hoosic River Watershed Association and Offerings for Community Building leads a foraging walk
The West Stockbridge Farmers Market offers fresh produce — fruits and vegetables in season, eggs, meats and cheeses, breads and baked goods, fudge and jams and more.
Hoffmann Bird Club will lead a weekly spring bird walk along the River Walk in Great Barrington, looking for returning birds in migration season.
The Lenox Farmers Market returns on Friday afternoons with organic produce, sweets, fresh-baked breads and more.
The Sheffield Farmers Market returns outdoors with some 20 vendors — from pickles, seasonings and garlic, to Naji’s Mediterranean Cuisine, baked fresh wheat-free breads, local meats, honey and maple syrup and more.
Farmers, food producers, artists and artisans will gather in the expanded parking lot at the end of Spring Street every Saturday in summer and fall.
Chocolate peanut butter cookies, fresh flowers, jams and pickles and cheeses ... the North Adams Farmers Market returns weekly with more than a dozen farmers and makers.
The market returns with fruits and greens and cheeses, locally roasted coffee and brewed cider — popsicles, mushrooms, Berkshire Mountain Bakery sourdough bread, fresh berries ...
Locally roasted coffee, native plants or gently herbed hand cream ... the regular Pittsfield Farmers Market welcomes in farmers and artisans together.
Hancock Shaker Village offers an outdoor yoga class ... with goats. Goats roam freely as you strike your poses with a certified yoga instructor.
Every first Sunday of the month, Pete Toigo and Dave Bartley bring a morning of music — soulful jazz and blues with Pete on bass and Dave piano and vocals.
