Summer Tickets – Download an order form (PDF) today to reserve your tickets for “Summer”!

Summer (1917) was affectionately referred to by Wharton as the “Hot Ethan,” and is often compared with its better-known counterpart, Ethan Frome.  The story follows the sexual awakening and coming of age of Charity Royall over a single summer, late May to early November 1890, reflected by the hills and trees of her native Berkshire landscape.  

Charity Royall (Alyssa Hughlett) is bored and restless, working at the local library to save money to escape, when Lucius Harney (Adam Gauger), a handsome young New York cousin of the town matriarch arrives, researching a book about the historic houses in the area.  Their early romance is thwarted at first by Royall (Miles Herter), her oppressive guardian, who to keep Charity to himself makes an unwanted proposal of marriage.  Despite the growing suspicions of the townspeople, the relationship between Harney and Charity blooms in secret.  By late August, however, Charity is alone and pregnant, Harney having recently left to marry Annabel Balch (Rory Hammond), a girl of his own class and “the Beauty of Springfield.”  Charity begins a desperate search to secure the survival of her child; a journey leading her to self-discovery and ultimately acceptance.

Directed by  Catherine Taylor-Williams, Summer features Adam Adam Gauger, Reilly Hadden, Rory Hammond, Miles Herter, Alyssa Hughlett, Diane Prusha, and Robert Serrell with live music composed and performed by Alexander Sovronsky. Performances take place in The Mount’s Stables Auditorium at the entrance to Wharton’s historic estate. The play will run 90 minutes without intermission.  Audiences are encouraged to make reservations in advance, as the intimate 90-seat  venue sells out quickly.  Summer has mature themes and may not be appropriate for children.

At A Glance

Production: Summer

Adapted from Edith Wharton, by Dennis Krausnick

Theatre:  The Stables Auditorium, The Mount, 2 Plunkett Street, Lenox, MA

Director: Catherine Taylor-Williams

Co-Producer: Lauryn Franzoni

Production Stage Manager: Lyn Liseno

Costumes: Arthur Oliver

Set: Carl Sprague

Technical Director: Maia Robbins Zust and Berkshire Production Resources

Cast: Adam Gauger, Reilly Hadden, Rory Hammond, Miles Herter, Alyssa Hughlett,

Diane Prusha and Robert Serrell

Music Composed and Performed by: Alexander Sovronsky

Dates/Times:     Wednesday, August 18 and Thursday, August 19; Wednesday, August 25 and Thursday, August 26 at 5:30pm

Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22; Saturday, August 28 and Sunday, August 29 at 10:30 am

Tickets: $35, General Admission.  Includes Day Pass to The Mount.  Wheelchair accessible.

Box Office: 413-551-5113 ; Box Office hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Messages left after hours will be returned.

For further information: www.whartonsalon.org or www.edithwharton.org

Summer Tickets – Download an order form (PDF) today to reserve your tickets for “Summer”!