The Williamstown Theater Festival has been grappling with the same dilemma facing every performing arts organization during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic: Public health concerns have made it difficult to imagine — or plan — an ordinary summer.

But the prestigious nonprofit, known for an annual summer season that for decades has drawn a stream of A-list artists to Western Massachusetts, determined not to simply join the parade of cancellations this year.

So, in a bold attempt to salvage its shows, the festival is taking an unusual step: it has decided to develop, rehearse, and record all seven of its planned productions and release them in audio form on Audible.

The productions — which include the world premiere of a new musical — will feature the same performers that would have appeared onstage, including Dylan Baker, Kate Burton, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Chlumsky, Carla Gugino, Audra McDonald and Taylor Schilling.