One of us: Andrew Volkoff, Fantasticks Director

Cory Micheal Smith belts out a song. Kevin Sprague photos.

Like most LGBT people these days, Andrew Volkoff has been "out" for a while. No biggie. Besides, now that he is directing musicals, isn't that almost a requirement? Of course not, but some people think that liking musicals translates to being gay. But all it really means is that you enjoy stories and songs about what it means to be alive.

Andrew Volkkoff, Director of The Fantasticks
Volkoff's take on The Fantasticks is quite traditional. It's a musical that has been around for fifty years, and in fact is the most often performed musical in the world. Its story is simple, even if its lessons are complex. A boy, a girl, two parents and a wall.

Steve Wilson and Cory Michael Smith in The Fantasticks.
"I think the conflict with parents in the piece may seem familiar," says Volkoff. In the musical the parents connive in an effort to manipulate their children's lives. . "The Fantasticks can also speak to many gay men and women," he says. We have been fortunate to talk about the musical both with Volkoff, who is directing the fresh new production at Barrington Stage Company (Interview Here) and with Tom Jones (Story Here) who wrote the words and lyrics for it.

You may remember Volkoff as the director of BSC’s I Am My Own Wife which starred the wonderful Vince Gatton. It told the story of the amazing Charlotte Von Mahlsdorf, a man who somehow survived the Nazi and Soviet regimes dressed as a women.

The Fantasticks is being choreographed by Janet Watson (choreographer of current NY production). Christopher D. Littlefield is musical director.

A scene from The Fantasticks. Kevin Sprague photo.
"It seems that hardly anyone is immune to its timeless story. I know it touches me," says Volkoff. You can read our interview with him here in Berkshire Fine Arts. And you shouldn't miss this show. "Try to Remember" is one of its touchstone songs, and it is a show you will never forget. Following the Sunday, October 11 matinee at 3pm there will be a talkback with Fantasticks co-creator Tom Jones. Andrew has extended an invitation for the GLBT community to "come check us out!"

The show runs from October 7 through 18 on the BSC Mainstage, with an official opening on Saturday, October 10 at 8pm. Performance times are: Wednesday 7pm; Thursday-Saturday 8pm; Sunday 3pm. Additional performances will take place on Sunday, October 11 at 7pm, Wednesday, October 14 at 2pm and Saturday, October 17 at 4pm. Tickets are $15-35. $15 mezz/$20 orchestra tickets are available for October 7 and 8 previews. Tickets are on sale now at 413-236-8888 and http://www.barringtonstageco.org.

Auditions for Laramie Project on Saturday in Pittsfield

BSC TO HOLD LOCAL ACTOR AUDITIONS
for THE FANTASTICKS and
THE LARAMIE PROJECT: 10 YEARS LATER (AN EPILOGUE)
August 29, 2009

We can't say too much at this point, but be sure to block out Columbus Day Weekend. It's going to be a very special one for the LGBTQ community in the Berkshires. Many details are still being worked out for a first ever "Out in the Berkshires" weekend, (shhhh...more info later!) but one thing is for sure, Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Producing Director Richard M. Parison Jr., will be presenting The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later (An Epilogue) on Monday, October 12 at 3 and 7 PM.

Towards that event, open auditions will be held (all ages, types) for those interested in taking part in the semi-staged reading. They will be held concurrently with the local auditions for its Fall 2009 season productions of The Fantasticks on Saturday, August 29 from noon-6pm at Barrington Stage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA. An audition monitor will be present.

Matthew Shephard
The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later (An Epilogue) will be directed by BSC Producing Director Richard M. Parison, Jr. The creators of the highly acclaimed play The Laramie Project, which since 2000 has been one of the most performed plays in America, will premiere a compelling and groundbreaking epilogue to the original piece. The epilogue focuses on the long-term effect of the murder of Matthew Shepard on the town of Laramie. It explores how the town has changed and how the murder continues to reverberate in the community.

Auditionees for The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later (An Epilogue) should be prepared to read a portion of text provided at the audition. Auditions will be held by appointment only by calling BSC Administrative Office at 413-997-6105.

The fence, once a horrific reminder to the Wyoming community has been torn down since the tragedy.
The staged reading of this updated work will be performed in New York at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, Barrington Stage Company, and over 100 other theaters across the country on October 12, 2009.

You may also audition for another show, The Fantasticks which will be directed by Andrew Volkoff (BSC's Underneath the Lintel, I Am My Own Wife, Fully Committed) and choreographed by Janet Watson (choreographer of current NY production). The world's longest-running musical, The Fantasticks is a captivating romantic comedy about a boy, a girl, and two fathers. Featuring memorable songs that include "Soon It's Gonna Rain," "They Were You" and the beloved hit "Try to Remember." Auditionees for The Fantasticks should prepare two contrasting songs (ballad and uptempo) and may be asked to read from the script.