Mark Setlock and Mathew Wilkas, who co-wrote the play, also star in the outrageous insider look at child contestants, stage mothers and the coaches who lead them to the crown. Performances began July 1 and will continue through July 26.

Setlock portrays in-demand pageant coach Bobby with Wilkas as his partner Bob, a pageant coach "with a special flair for choreography and hair." Joining the playwright-actors are Daiva Deupree (Two Girls for Five Dollars) and Jenn Harris (Modern Orthodox), who portray ruthless rival pageant mothers.

Martha Banta stages Pageant Play, which has a creative team that includes set designer Luke Hegel-Cantarella, costume designer Jessica Risser-Milne, lighting designer Thom Weaver and sound designer Bart Fasbender.

Setlock is known for writing and starring in Fully Committed, co-written with Becky Mode. He has also penned the script for Wonderful Life, the stage adaptation of the holiday film "It's A Wonderful Life." Wilkas has appeared Off-Broadway in Far and Away and in the PS 122 staging of Carrie.

Tickets, priced $19.50-$44, are available by phoning (413) 298-5576 or by visiting berkshiretheatre.org.