Presented on the BSC's Stage 2 space, performances will run through July 5 with an official opening scheduled for June 26. The cast, under the direction of Joe Calarco, includes Romain Fruge, Mitchell Jarvis, Catherine Porter, Ben Roseberry, Lucia Spina and Nicole Van Giesen.
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick features music by Chris Miller, lyrics by Nathan Tysen and a book by Calarco.
Inspired by Chris Van Allsburg's illustrative book "Jumanji and The Polar Express," the musical from the creators of The Burnt Part Boys concerns "a writer named Harris Burdick [who] appears at the publishing offices of Peter Wenders with a series of astonishing drawings for a book he has written. Burdick promises to return the next day with the accompanying stories – he never returned – and never does. The illustrations are given a musical life by offering one explanation for the man's mysterious disappearance, taking the audience on a wild ride through wonder, fear, and the imagination."
The production features designs by Brian Prather, costumes by Elizabeth Flauto and lighting by Chris Lee. Vadim Feichtner is musical director; Jamie Thoma is production stage manager.
BSC's Stage 2 is located at the VFW Hall, 36 Linden Street in Pittsfield, MA. For tickets call (413) 528-8888 or visit www.barringtonstageco.org. *
Tony Award-winning composer William Finn mentors the Musical Theatre Lab series.