Shakespeare & Company presents the World Premiere of Carey Crim’s The Islanders, directed by Regge Life July 25 through August 25 at the Tina Packer Playhouse.
Originally staged at Shakespeare & Company in 2022 as a reading in the Plays in Process series, The Islanders tells the story of two denizens of an underpopulated island in the Great Lakes: Anna (Michelle Mountain) and Dutch (“ranney”). For different reasons, Dutch and Anna have each retreated from mainstream society, but begin to forge a connection – however tenuous.
Director Regge Life said he hopes The Islanders provides a blueprint for anyone who may now be questioning their identity and place in a turbulent world.
“Is now the time to retreat to an island of contemplation, or to stand tall right where you are, in the face of uncertainty?” he asked.
This production is sponsored by Greg Lipper and Kate Kohler Amory. Tickets range from $22 to $72, and preview performances on July 25, 26, and 27 are 10% off.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit shakespeare.org or call the Box Office at (413) 637-3353.
Photo Caption: Michelle Mountain (Anna), “ranney” (Dutch), Playwright Carey Crim, and Director Regge Life gather at the first rehearsal of Crim’s The Islanders, a World Premiere staged July 25 through August 25.
About Shakespeare & Company
Shakespeare & Company was founded in 1978 by Tina Packer. Located in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, the Company offers performance, education, and actor-training opportunities year-round, and attracts more than 40,000 patrons annually with a core of more than 150 artists.
Regge Life
(Director)
Pronouns: he / him
Regge Life directed the 2022 production of Hymn, the 2019 multiple Berkie Award-winning production of Topdog/Underdog, the wildly acclaimed Morning After Grace in 2018, God of Carnage in 2017, and Kaufman’s Barbershop by the late Rob Sugarman in 2013. His most recent productions are the World Premiere of “Phillis” at Revolutionary Spaces in Boston and Cross That River returning to the 59E59th Street theater and now on a national tour. He directed I Just Stopped by to See Man for Milwaukee Rep, Yellowman and Gem of the Ocean for Pittsburgh Public Theater, Ghosts for the Pearl Theater, Piano Lesson for Virginia Stage Company, A Walk in the Woods at Capital Rep, Rebel Armies into Deep Chad, Laurence Fishburne’s Riff Raff and Arthur Miller’s The American Clock for the Juilliard School. Living in the Wind and Do Lord Remember Me at the former American Place Theatre. He is the Senior Distinguished Director in Residence at Emerson College in Boston.
Michelle Mountain
(Anna)
Pronouns she / her
Michelle is delighted to be here, doing this beautiful play in this wonderful theatre. She first met playwright Carey Crim in 1998 at the Purple Rose Theatre Company where they were part of the original cast of Lanford Wilson’s Book of Days; they’ve remained good friends and colleagues ever since. Favorite roles include Allison in Never Not Once, Abigail in Morning After Grace, Molly in Wake, Katherine Brandt in 33 Variations, Blanche du Bois in A Streetcar Named Desire and Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie. Thank you Carey, Regge, “ranney”, and Vince.
“ranney”
(Dutch)
“ranney” has five decades in the performing arts as a multi-disciplinarian. Acting credits include August Wilson, Brucie (How I Learned What I Learned; Sweat, Ensemble Theatre Company); Doaker (The Piano Lesson, A Public Fit Theatre Company); Troy, Benny, Mark (Fences; Hymn; Art, Shakespeare & Company); Luke, Polonius/Gravedigger, Toledo, Troy Maxson (Amen Corner; Hamlet; Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom; Fences, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company); Hambone, Sterling (Two Trains Running; Radio Golf, American Stage Company.); King Hedley, Chutes & Ladders (Seven Guitars; Water By the Spoonful, Nevada Conservatory Theatre); Boy Willie (The Piano Lesson, Center Theatre Co.); Adriana/Antipholis/others (The Bomb-itty of Errors, American Stage, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Helix in Dublin, Ireland, and Ambassadors Theatre in London’s West End). As a comedian, he has headlined internationally and shared billing with Martin Lawrence, Chris Rock, and Paul Mooney. Nine one man shows include And the Horse You Rode In On (Projects Arts Centre, Dublin), Whatever (People’s Improv Theater, NY), Incendiary (The Straz Center, Tampa), and Cufflinks and Jolly Ranchers for Dummies (Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland).
