Click here for High-Res Press Photos

Synopsis

Written by Annie Baker

Phyllis has organized “Body Awareness Week” at the local college where she teaches. She and her partner Joyce, a high school teacher, are hosting Frank, a guest artist whose nude photos are being shown as part of the event. When Joyce’s grown son Jared — who swears he doesn’t have Asperger’s Syndrome — turns to Frank for advice, and Joyce considers posing for Frank, tensions rise in this smart and generous comedy from Obie Award winner (and Amherst native) Annie Baker.

“An engaging new comedy by a young playwright with a probing, understated voice…Its quiet rewards steal up on you.”
     -The New York Times

Performances are July 31-August 11.
Wednesday-Saturday at 8 pm. Thursday and Sunday at 2 pm. 

[sc:Yellow-Link url=”https://chestertheatre.org/plan-your-visit/buy-tickets/” name=”BUY TICKETS HERE” ]
[sc:Small-Text-Start ]Body Awareness is sponsored by Wendy and Gary Davis.
Media is sponsored by Morgan Stanley.[sc:Small-Text-End ]

Cast

[sc:Col-1-2-Left-Start ]

Phyllis
Caitlin McDonough-Thayer*

Jared
David Rosenblatt*

[sc:Col-End ] [sc:Col-1-2-Right-Start ]

Joyce
Jennifer Rohn *

Frank
Bruce McKenzie *

[sc:Col-End ] [sc:Col-Clear ] [sc:Small-Text-Start ]

*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers
in the United States

[sc:Small-Text-End ]

Artists

Playwright: Annie Baker
Directed by: Knud Adams
Set Design: Travis A. George
Lighting Design: James McNamara
Costume Design: Heather Crocker Aulenback
Sound Design: Tom Shread
Stage Manager: Rhonda Picou*

Articles

“A lovely production. Thanks to Knud Adam’s well-conceived and executed staging and a winning ensemble, the play is tremendously affecting and also extremely funny.”
–Elyse Sommer, CurtainUp

“Humorous havoc. This unusual look at the family unit is a perfect fit.”
–J. Peter Bergman, Berkshire Bright Focus

“Chester Theatre Company is the perfect intimate venue for this fine production… A heart-breakingly perfect cast who bring these quirky characters warmly to life. CTC is on a roll with this quirky audience-pleaser.”
–Gail M. Burns, Berkshire On Stage

“An engrossing and polished revival at CTC… Annie Baker is one of America’s most talked about and most daring playwrights…she has demonstrated a remarkable talent to create unforgettable, funny, searching and more often than not heartbreaking characters. Knud Adams demonstrates an acute empathy with Baker’s work with this sweet and loving production.”
–Andrew Beck, Examiner.com

“With the aid of a quartet of exceptionally gifted actors, Amherst author Annie Baker, has created a touching comedy that provides a most enjoyable evening of theatre. An amusing, perceptive observation of life in today’s world, expertly presented with warmth and affection.
–Walt Haggerty, In the Spotlight

“Absorbing… Baker is interested in the intricate, conflicting, overlapping and contradictory relationships of her four characters. Knud Adams’ production is nicely balanced, allowing the playwright’s multiple ambiguities to just be. The full house bodes well for CTC’s prospects: programming smart, contemporary plays that demand attention, invite thought and, not incidentally, draw crowds.”
–Chris Rohmann, Valley Advocate

“Body Awareness” is about how we see ourselves and how what we see shapes our relationships, especially with those who are closest to us. The writing is literate, the acting smooth and resourceful.”
–Jeffrey Borak, Berkshire Eagle