St. Germain's DR. RUTH, ALL THE WAY Extends Run to July 21, Pittsfield

Barrington Stage Company, the award-winning regional theatre in downtown Pittsfield, under the leadership of Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director, and TriStan Wilson, Managing Director, has extended the run of the world premiere of Dr. Ruth, All The Way by Mark St. Germain, directed by Julianne Boyd. Starring stage, film and television actress Debra Jo Rupp (That 70s Show), Dr. Ruth, All the Way will now run from June 19 through July 21 at St. Germain Stage (formerly Stage 2) at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield. Opening Night is Saturday, June 30 at 8pm.

“We are thrilled to be presenting the sixth world premiere by BSC Associate Artist Mark St Germain,” said Artistic Director Julianne Boyd.“Working on Dr. Ruth, All the Way with Mark, Debra Jo Rupp and Dr. Ruth has been an exhilarating experience. We are moved and honored that Dr. Ruth has allowed us to tell her life story, one filled with humor, sadness, longing but above all else, resilience.”

Dr. Ruth, All the Way is the first commission of Barrington Stage’s New Works Initiative. This commission is courtesy of Sydelle and Lee Blatt & Rosita Sarnoff and Beth Sapery.
Everyone knows the pioneering radio and television sex therapist Dr. Ruth but few know the incredible journey that preceded it. From fleeing the Nazis in the Kindertransport to joining the Haganah in Jerusalem, to her struggles to succeed as a single mother coming to America, Dr. Ruth, All the Way is filled with the humor, honesty and life-affirming spirit of Korola Ruth Siegel, the girl who became “Dr. Ruth.”

The design team includes Brian Prather (sets/projections), Scott Pinkney (lights), Jennifer Mueller (costumes), Gabriella Pollino-Rodman (wigs) and Jessica Paz (sound).Kate Cudworth is production stage manager.

Debra Jo Rupp (Dr. Ruth) BSC: Ring ‘Round the Moon, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Laramie Project. Debra Jo Rupp is never happier than when she is performing on stage in the Berkshires, close to home. She has performed at Williamstown Theatre Festival in True Westand A Flea in Her Ear, Berkshire Theatre Festival in Mornings at Seven and the Chester Theatre Company production of Lee Blessings’ Body of Water. In New York, Debra Jo has appeared on Broadway with Kathleen Turner and Charles Durning in the 1990 revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She starred Off-Broadway in Cynthia Heimel’s A Girl’s Guide to Chaos (American Place), Frankie and Johnny in The Clair de Lune (Westside Arts) and The Butcher of Baraboo (Second Stage). Other Regional: Blithe Spirit and The Middle Ages (Whole Theatre Co.), Taking Steps(Virginia Stage Co.), Wall of Water (Yale Rep), Noises Off (Cape Playhouse), Moonlight and Valentino (Shafer Theatre).Debra Jo has made over 300 television and film appearances and is probably best known for her role as “Kitty Forman” on the hit series “That 70’s Show”. Her feature films include playing Jay Baruchel’s mom in She’s Out of My League, Kickin It Old Skool, Air Buddies, Clockwatchers with Toni Collette and Parker Posey, Spymate, Lucky 13, Sgt. Bilko with Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd, and her first film Big with Tom Hanks. Among her notable television appearances are booking agent “Katie” on “Seinfeld”, Phoebe’s sister-in-law on “Friends” and“From the Earth to the Moon” (dir. Sally Field), “ER”, “The Office” and “Better With You” to name a few.