In the spirit of the holidays, Shakespeare & Company announces four Berkshire beneficiaries for Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, directed by Producing Associate Ariel Bock. Post-show collections from each performance will benefit a different local organization, including The Elizabeth Freeman Center, Pittsfield Boys & Girls Club, Hospice Care in the Berkshires, and The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Casting updates for this funny, warm-hearted holiday story were also announced. The staged reading will feature Company actors Lydia Barnett-Mulligan, Rory Hammond, Cloteal Horne, David Joseph, Zoë Laiz, Madeleine Rose Maggio, Rylan Morsbach, and Ryan Winkles. The performance runs from December 15 – 17 in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre.
“A delightful reunion of Jane Austen’s characters for Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberly makes for a wonderful holiday outing in the Berkshires, said Artistic Director Allyn Burrows. “Thought-provoking and very amusing, this story gives us something to think about beyond our shopping list! In that same spirit, we are very pleased to give back to these local institutions who help our community so much.”
The Company’s family-friendly holiday performance will be a costumed staged reading. Tickets for Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley are general admission, $22 for Adults and $12 for Students. They are now available online at shakespeare.org, stopping by the Box Office, or calling Shakespeare & Company at (413) 637-3353. The Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Shakespeare & Company is located at 70 Kemble Street in Lenox, Massachusetts.
“The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts is fortunate to carry out its mission in a caring and compassionate region,” said Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director of The Food Bank. “We know that we can count on the community to support our efforts to feed approximately one in four individuals across our four-county region: children, elders, the disabled, veterans, and even working households struggling to make ends meet on a minimum or near-minimum wage job. This is a sobering reality of which not enough people are aware.”
CASTING
Mary Bennet Lydia Barnett-Mulligan
Arthur DeBourgh Ryan Winkles
Elizabeth Darcy Madeleine Rose Maggio
Fitzwilliam Darcy David Joseph
Lydia Wickham Zoë Laiz
Jane Bingley Cloteal Horne
Charles Bingley Rylan Morsbach
Anne DeBourgh Rory Hammond
SCHEDULE
Friday, December 15 – 7:30pm
(Collection for The Elizabeth Freeman Center)
Saturday, December 16 – 2:00pm and 7:30pm
(Afternoon collections for Pittsfield Boys & Girls Club, evening collection for The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts)
Sunday, December 17 – 2:00pm
(Collection for Hospice Care in the Berkshires)
About The Elizabeth Freeman Center
Every hour of every day, Elizabeth Freeman Center provides lifesaving, life renewing help to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and to their families. The Center offers free and confidential counseling, shelter, legal advocacy, safety planning, teen dating violence prevention education, a 24/7 hotline, and much more.
About Pittsfield Boys & Girls Club
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires, Inc., is to enhance the quality of life for youth as participating members of a richly diverse society. With emphasis on being socially and economically inclusive, the Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires, Inc. helps youth to help themselves to realize their potential for growth, development, and leadership.
About The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts
Since 1982, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has been feeding our neighbors in need and leading the community to end hunger. The Bank distributes food to member agencies in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties. These independent pantries, meal sites and shelters are on the front lines of emergency food assistance in our region, playing a crucial role helping individuals, families, seniors and children.
About Hospice Care in the Berkshires
For more than 35 years, HospiceCare in The Berkshires (HCIB) has been caring for generations of our neighbors throughout Berkshire County, providing support and care for those living with a life-limiting illness. Our compassionate team guides families through this emotionally challenging time with information, resources, and expert medical care for the best possible quality of life.
About Shakespeare & Company
Located in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Shakespeare & Company is one of the largest Shakespeare Festivals in the country. Founded in 1978, the organization attracts over 30,000 patrons annually. The Company is also home to Shakespeare & Company’s internationally renowned Center for Actor Training and nationally renowned and award-winning Education Program. More information is available at www.shakespeare.org.
