The Urmetazoan
By Alex Rugman
Directed by Jack Serio
September 30 – October 25
Downtown Pittsfield
Pittsfield, Mass – Barrington Stage Company (BSC) (Alan Paul, Artistic Director, Greg Reiner, Executive Director) is pleased to announce the cast for Alex Rugman’s The Urmetazoan, in its North American premiere, directed by Massachusetts-native Jack Serio in his Barrington Stage debut.
The Urmetazoan, part of Barrington Stage Company’s ambitious New Works program, begins previews September 30 and plays through October 25, 2026 in the St. Germain Theater at 36 Linden Street in Downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
In the not-too-distant future, two sisters contemplate their past together as they get ready for their futures apart as one of them heads to live on Mars. As separation becomes inevitable, The Urmetazoan asks whether the bonds of family can endure across time, distance and even worlds.
The cast for The Urmetazoan features Julia Chan, (2:22 a Ghost Story, West End) as Alice, Francesca Carpanini (The Little Foxes, Broadway) as Abigail, Justin Mark (To Kill a Mockingbird, National Tour) as Will, Beatrix Flynn-Powell (James and the Giant Peach Jr., Berkshire Theatre Group) as Young Abigail, and Lyla Randall (Fun Home, Huntington Theatre) as Young Alice.
The creative team includes Marsha Ginsberg (Scenic Designer), Ricky Reynoso (Costume Designer), Stacey Derosier (Lighting Designer), Lee Kinney (Sound Designer + Original Music), Deborah Hecht (Dialect Coach), Jakob W. Plummer (Production Stage Manager), and Rebecca L. Johnston (Assistant Stage Manager).
Tickets for The Urmetazoan are on sale now. Tickets start at $49 and are available at barringtonstageco.org or by calling 413.242.6411.
The Urmetazoan is generously sponsored by Roz & Charles Stuzin, JoAnn & Bill Hajjar, and Ellen & Steve Danetz. The New Works Series at Barrington Stage is sponsored by Roxanne & Scott Bok.
BIOGRAPHIES
Julia Chan (Alice) BSC Debut. Theater: Hedda (Theatre Royal Bath, dir. Matthew Dunster); Danger and Opportunity (East Village Basement, dir. Jack Serio); Pre-existing Condition (The Connelly Theater, dir. Maria Dizzia); Uncle Vanya (dir. Jack Serio); 2:22 a Ghost Story (West End, dir. Matthew Dunster). Film and television: Ripple, Will Trent, Before, Archive 81, Katy Keene, Saving Hope, The Last Day, and more.
Francesca Carpanini (Abigail) BSC Debut. Theater: All My Sons; The Little Foxes (Broadway); This Beautiful Future (The Cherry Lane); Dead Poets Society (CSC); Nina (Theaterlab); The Woods (Southwark Playhouse/London). Film and television: A House of Dynamite (Netflix), The Good Wife (CBS). Training: Juilliard.
Justin Mark (Will) BSC Debut. Theater: To Kill a Mockingbird (National Tour); This Beautiful Future (TheaterLab); In a Word (Cherry Lane Theatre); Peter Pan and Wendy (Shakespeare Theatre Company). TV: Law & Order: SVU, FBI: Most Wanted, Gotham, Madam Secretary. Film: Nitty Gritty (actor/producer), Benji’s Hour. Training: BFA, The Juilliard School.
Beatrix Flynn-Powell (Young Abigail) BSC Debut. Theater: James and the Giant Peach JR. (Berkshire Theatre Group), Matilda JR., Frozen JR. (Studio Youth Theater). Film and television: Reading Rainbow.
Lyla Randall (Young Alice) BSC Debut. Theater: Fun Home (Huntington Theatre); The Bedwetter (Arena Stage). Upcoming: Annie (Fulton Theatre). Film and television: Mr. Crocket; Sesame Street. Voiceover and animation: Lead roles in Magna Tales, Tonies’ The Legend of Mount Majestic, Rubie’s Amazing Adventure, and DroneCats. Lyla was nominated for a 2026 Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical for Fun Home. lylarandall.com, @LylaNoelaniRandall
Alex Rugman (he/him) (Playwright) BSC Debut. Plays: Move Fast and Break Things (Summerhall); How To Save A Rock (Pleasance); An Investigation (Theatre Peckham).
Jack Serio (Director) BSC Debut. Theater: Clarkston (West End); The Saviors (Atlantic); Well, I’ll Let You Go (Studio Seaview); Grangeville (Signature); Danger & Opportunity (East Village Basement); The Animal Kingdom (Connelly Theater); Uncle Vanya (OHenry); On Set With Theda Bara (Transport Group/Brick); and This Beautiful Future (Cherry Lane Theater). Obie and Drama Desk Awards. BFA NYU. jackfserio.com
Marsha Ginsberg (Scenic Designer) BSC: A Tender Thing. Marsha is a Tony-Nominated Scenic Designer (English at Roundabout) working between performance, opera, and photo/installation formats and has designed spaces and clothes for theaters and museums in NYC, regionally and internationally (Germany, Switzerland, France, Greece, Czech Republic). Recent projects: Suddenly Last Summer (Bard Summerscape); Primary Trust (Roundabout, La Jolla, CTG); Don Pasquale (Opera Theater Saint Louis); Queens (MTC); The Aves (Berkeley Rep); Lehman Trilogy (Shakespeare DC/Guthrie, Milwaukee Rep); Data (Arena Stage and Off Broadway at Lucille Lortel). Awards: Obie for durational installation Habit (with David Levine) and for English; residencies at MacDowell Colony and Robert Wilson’s Watermill Center. Rome Prize, the American Academy in Rome. Associate Arts Professor at NYU Abu Dhabi.
Stacey Derosier (Lighting Designer) BSC Debut. Theater: Suddenly Last Summer (Bard SummerScape); Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Broadway); Becky Shaw (Broadway); Meet the Cartozians (Second Stage); Tartuffe (NYTW); The Last Five Years (Broadway); Clarkston (West End); Danger and Opportunity; Well I’ll Let You Go (Regular People/Studio Seaview); Mother Russia, Grangeville (Signature Theatre); Teeth (Playwrights Horizons/NWS); The Counter (Roundabout Theatre); The Welkin (Atlantic Theater); All the Devils Are Here (DR2); Tartuffe, Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole, The Half-God of Rainfall (NYTW). Drama Desk Design Award 2025, Obie Design Award 2024, Audelco Award 2022/2023.
Ricky Reynoso (Costume Designer) BSC: The Weekend, A Tender Thing. Television: HBO’s We’re Here (Emmy Award for Outstanding Costumes). Select Theater: Bigfoot (MTC), Velour: A Drag Spectacular (La Jolla Playhouse), Grangeville (Signature Theatre), This Beautiful Future (Cherry Lane), Pepper Slit Live in Her Living Room (East Village Basement), Murder in the Manor (Virgin Voyages), Uncle Vanya in a loft (DVRF), The Animal Kingdom (Connelly Theatre Upstairs). He has also worked on commercial projects for Intel, Kroger, Coors Light, and many looks seen on Rupaul’s Drag Race.
Lee Kinney (Sound Designer & Original Music) BSC Debut. Lee is a Tony Award-nominated sound designer and music producer. Broadway: The Fear of 13, Is This A Room. Select Off Broadway: Birthright (MCC Theater); Meet the Cartozians (2ST); Prince Faggot (Seaview, Playwrights Horizons, Soho Rep); The Good John Proctor (Bedlam); You Will Get Sick, Exception to the Rule (Roundabout); Selling Kabul (Playwrights Horizons); “Daddy” (Vineyard, New Group, Almeida); Help (The Shed); Prayer for the French Republic, Morning Sun (MTC). Select regional: Eat Me (South Coast Rep); The Gig: After Moise (Williamstown); The Audience (Drury Lane); By The Queen (Hudson Valley Shakespeare). Thanks to Kris.
Jakob W. Plummer (Production Stage Manager) BSC Debut. Theater: Giulia (PAC NYC), Oh Happy Day! (The Public), Gun & Powder (Paper Mill Playhouse), John Wilkes Booth: One Night Only! (Baltimore Center Stage), one in two (The New Group), The Crucible (Broadway, 2016 revival), A View From The Bridge (Broadway, 2015 Revival), Sunday In the Park With George (Broadway, 2017 Revival), Oslo (Broadway). Event Production: The MET Gala, Tiffany & Co., TEDMED, The U.S. Open, The GRAMMY Awards, The Kennedy Center Honors. Training from a school in the Midwest but mostly by my mentors (Peter Lawrence, Deirdre Kelly-Lavrakas).
Rebecca L. Johnston (Assistant Stage Manager) BSC: Next to Normal, 10×10 2026. Rebecca is excited to be ASM on this North American Premiere after Production Managing the 2026 Season. Based in NYC, she finds enjoyment and fulfillment in new work development, corporate events, and giving her time to Broadway Cares and her Union. Theater: Romeo + Juliet (American Stage). Off-Broadway: The Orchard, Wine in the Wilderness, United States vs Ulysses. Tour: Winnie the Pooh, Dog Man the Musical. Other: Gaylord Hotels, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, Universal Orlando. Rebecca is grateful to the audience for their support of the arts and asks you kindly to plan to Vote in the midterm election. @rebeccatheatregirl4276
About Barrington Stage Company
Barrington Stage Company (BSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Alan Paul and Executive Director Greg Reiner, is an award-winning theater located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the heart of the cultural Berkshires. BSC’s mission is to produce compelling work; to develop new plays and musicals; and to engage our community with vibrant, inclusive educational outreach programs.
BSC attracts more than 60,000 patrons annually and earned national honors for its superior-quality productions and comprehensive educational programming, including the award-winning Playwright Mentoring Project, the Musical Theater Conservatory, Youth Theater, KidsAct! and other initiatives. The company is integral to the economic revitalization of downtown Pittsfield.
BSC’s reputation for excellence began with a smash revival of Cabaret that moved to Boston in 1997 for an extended run. The theater’s prominence grew with the world premiere of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin (BSC 2004; Broadway 2005-2008, winner of two Tony Awards). Other notable productions include the world premiere of Christopher Demos-Brown’s American Son (BSC 2016; Broadway 2018); Mark St. Germain’s Freud’s Last Session (BSC 2009; Off-Broadway 2010-2012); Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden & Adolph Green’s On the Town (BSC 2013; Broadway 2014, four Tony Award nominations); Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Company, starring Aaron Tveit (2017); and West Side Story in honor of Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins’ centenaries (2018).