Silverthorne Theater Company is excited to present a bold 2022-2023 season featuring all women playwrights and directors – seven contemporary comedies and dramas that engage in the conversations of our time. With our roots remaining in Franklin County, we are expanding south into venues in Hampden and Hampshire counties to connect with audiences in Easthampton, Northampton, Holyoke, Amherst, Belchertown and beyond, with the goal of creating broader access to live, professional theater in the Valley.
The season will open on October 21, 2022 at Hawks and Reed in Greenfield with Lauren Gunderson’s The Taming, a hilarious contemporary American farce inspired by Shakespeare’s Shrew. Tickets for The Taming will be on sale at our website, https://silverthornetheater.org. Season tickets will also be available in early September. For more information, please visit the Silverthorne website.
The Season
THE TAMING by Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Mary-Corinne Miller
October 21 – 29, 2022
at Hawks and Reed in Greenfield
In Lauren Gunderson’s hilarious, raucous farce, inspired by Shakespeare’s Shrew, beauty pageant contestant Katherine (Tahmie Der) has aspirations beyond the sash and crown – but she needs the help of ultra-conservative Senator’s aide Pat and ultra-liberal eco-terrorist Bianca (Tracy Einstein). It takes a trip back to 1770 for Kate to find an unexpected compromise that is timely and fresh.
THE NORWEGIANS by C. Denby Swanson
Directed by Gina Kaufmann
a Theater Thursdays reading
November 3, 2022
at The Lava Center in Greenfield
Playwright and Smith College alum C. Denby (Colin) Swanson travels from her base in Austin, Texas to join Silverthorne for a reading of her comedy about really, really nice Minnesota gangsters – Norwegian hit men – and the feisty women who hire them.
MISS BENNETT: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY by Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon
Directed by Lucinda Kidder
Our holiday fundraiser!
December 17, 2022
at The Deerfield Inn in Deerfield
Have a drink with us and celebrate the holidays as veteran Silverthorne actors read this witty, romantic comedy and sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, with bookish middle sister Mary as the unlikely heroine.
THE BUILDING by Betel Arnold
Directed by Kyle Boatwright
a Theater Thursdays reading
February 16, 2023
at The Divine Theater, Gateway City Arts
92 Race Street, Holyoke, MA
Catalina and her grandmother are surrounded by the mysteries in the building – including secrets about her mother and the father of Catalina’s clandestine boyfriend, Arturo. Will the women’s desire to protect Catalina lead to chaos or a happy ending?
INTIMATE APPAREL by Lynn Nottage
Directed by Jasmine Brooks
March 10 – 25, 2023
Venue to be announced
This joyful drama about Esther, a Black seamstress whose patrons range from wealthy white women to prostitutes, is set in New York in 1905. While receiving beautiful letters from a handsome Caribbean man named George, Esther’s heart is drawn to the Hasidic shopkeeper from whom she buys cloth. Directed by Boston-based guest artist Jasmine Brooks.
BORN WITH TEETH by Liz Duffy Adams
Directed by Brianna Sloane
a Theater Thursdays reading
May 11, 2023
at The Barn Theater
715 Federal Street, Belchertown, MA
An aging ruler, an oppressive police state, a restless polarized people seething with paranoia: it’s a dangerous time for poets. Two of them—the great Kit Marlowe and the up-and-comer Will Shakespeare—meet in the back room of a pub to collaborate on a history play cycle and flirt like young men with everything to lose.
THE CAKE by Bekah Brunstetter
Directed by Gina Kaufmann
Assistant Directed by Ezekiel Baskin
June 9 – 17, 2023
Venue to be announced
Della, a vivacious, white conservative North Carolina baker, faces a crisis of conscience when Jen – whom she loves like a daughter – asks her to bake a special cake for her wedding – to a Black woman. This romantic comedy is a recipe for unexpected turns and unexpected empathy. Baking a cake takes time, rich ingredients and a lotta love.
