Photo Coverage: THE BEST OF ENEMIES World Premiere at Barrington Stage Co.

During the performance of “THE BEST OF ENEMIES”, I nudged my wife and pointed out a gentleman across the aisle dabbing a tear away. It was only during the curtain calls that he was acknowledged by the actors on stage, and I realized he was the real Bill Riddick (Clifton Duncan was cast as Bill in the play).

Mark St. Germain (Freud’s Last Session currently Off Broadway) has created an extraordinary theatre experience and Julianne Boyd in her role as director has once again given her Berkshire audience a memorable evening. Inspired by the best-selling book by Osha Gray Davidson, The Best of Enemies is a true story about the relationship between C.P. Ellis (a Grand Cyclops of the KKK) and Ann Atwater (an African-American civil rights activist) during the desegregation of Durham, NC schools in 1971.

The Best of Enemies exposes the poison of prejudice in the hearts of Atwater and Ellis who, by facing each other, are forced to face the worst, and best, in themselves and generate a friendship that defied the odds. John Bedford Lloyd (C.P. Ellis), Aisha Hinds (Ann Atwater), Clifton Duncan (Bill Reddick) and Susan Wands (Mary Ellis) all gave spellbinding performances. Scenic Designer was David M. Barber, Costume Designer Kristina Lucka, Lighting Designer Scott Pinkney and sound by Brad Berridge. Award Winning Barrington Stage Company is under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director TriStan Wilson. The Best Of Enemies runs July 21-Aug 6.