How rare is it to see plays in development. Berkshire Playwrights Lab offers the opportunity to see equity actors with incredible resumes do staged readings of new plays by top playwrights including Mark St. Germain and James Anthony Tyler who recentlyl had a sold out performance at Williamstown Theater Festiva.

GIven the wonderful staged reading of Some Old Black Man, I can't wait to see the full production on Saturday, August 12. n bravo to this great organization Karen

The Wednesday night performances are readings; staged readings. Some light, some props and some directed activity. They are works in progress with the playwright being available after the show for an engaging Talk Back including a director. I really found the play fascinating, funny, poignant, and aurally exciting. I think it managed to present a rather complex piece from the standpoint of cues and supporting sounds. A very rich texture of voice and sound. I actually closed my eyes when her show was happening and listened as it sounded as if the lights would go to black in a more fully staged production. I thought the casting too was excellent. Boy, did people miss out by not coming to see the show! On several Wednesdays in July, at the newly created, Saint James Place you can attend staged readings here in Great Barrington. The actors are well rehearsed by the director and the readings, with open book, are quite good theatre. The artistic directors Joe Cacaci, Jim Frangione and Matt Penn diligently cull submission for the offerings always looking to balance the entertainment values with the thematic content. After the show the audience is asked to stay and participate in a talk back: a discussion between audience, playwright, and director. Perhaps common in the metropolitan theatres but a real treat among our offerings here in Berkshire county. This year is the Playwrights Lab is presenting a full production of a prior reading, running in August. Tickets are available through the BPL website.