The world premiere of Shoot the Piano Player, adapted from the David Goodis novel by director Richard Corley. takes place at The Berkshire Theatre Festival's Unicorn Theatre, currently running through Aug. 7.

"Shoot the Piano Player" was written in 1956 by Goodis and was the basis for the Francois Truffaut film noir classic with Charles Aznavour. It tells the story of two brothers, Turley and Eddie -- Turley, a minor underworld figure and Eddie, a classical musician who has seen better days. Eddie's lived his whole life without the influence of Turley, until Turley turns to him for help.

Director Corley has previously staged The Game of Love and Chance, The Illusion, and Quills for The Unicorn Theatre. Corley is also the recipient of the TCG/NEA Director Fellowship.

Eva Le Gallienne founded the Berkshire Festival in 1928 with The Cradle Song. The playhouse itself was built by Stanford White, initially as a gentlemen's club. It wasn't until the 1960s that the venue was named the Berkshire Theatre Festival. Among the luminaries appearing there over the years have been Buster Keaton, Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Thorton Wilder, Eli Wallach and Joanne Woodward.

For tickets or more information, call (413) 298-5576. -- By Sean McGrath