‘Heroes’ opens at S&Co. this weekend

LENOX – Shakespeare and Company’s second show of the summer season begins this weekend.

Heroes, winner of the 2006 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, tells the tale of three World War I veterans confined to a retirement home in the French countryside and their plot for escaping. The story was adapted by Tom Stoppard from Gérald Sibleyras’ original work.

Actors Jonathan Epstein, Malcolm Ingram and Robert Lohbauer (who have a combined 46 years at the company) play the trio, Gustave, Philippe and Henri, in the show directed by S&Co. founding member Kevin G. Coleman (Rough Crossing, The Liar).

“I think I first became haunted by Heroes almost two years ago when someone from the company gave me a copy to read for consideration in our summer season,” Mr. Coleman said. “Since then, I’ve been handed two more copies from two others. There was really no need, as the play has been alive in my mind since the first reading.”

Mr. Coleman previously worked with Mr. Epstein and Mr. Lohbauer on S&Co.’s 2006 production of Rough Crossing.

“I’m fortunate to have had this script for a while, and I’m relieved to have Bob and Jonny and Malcolm in the room with me,”? the director said.

Mr. Coleman said the emotions behind Heroes, highlighted in Mr. Stoppard’s adaptation, are part of what drew him to the play.

“I’ve always loved Stoppard’s plays – well, most of them,” the director laughed, “and his translation of Gérald Sibleyras Le Vent des Peupliers is no exception.

“And he makes me uneasy. There’s always more going on in his plays, with his delicious language and his comic/absurd/Chekhovian characters than can be easily discovered in a quick read or even in the pressured pace of the rehearsal room.

“Who knew we’d care so deeply about three old World War veterans on a terrace with a bronze dog? Who knew their story could be so funny or so heartbreakingly sad?”

Those emotions are sure be felt by audience members in the coming weeks.

A special preview performance takes place tonight (June 13) at 8:30 p.m., with the official opening coming tomorrow night (June 14) at 8:30.

The show runs through Sept. 1 at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre. Tickets cost $15-50 and can be purchased by visiting the box office (70 Kemble St.), calling (413) 637-3353 or going online to shakespeare.org.

Posted by Catherine M. Krummey on June 13, 2013. Filed under Arts and Entertainment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry