|
HOME PAGE SITE GUIDE SEARCH REVIEWS FEATURES NEWS Etcetera and Short Term Listings LISTINGS Broadway Off-Broadway NYC Restaurants BOOKS and CDs OTHER PLACES Berkshires London California DC New Jersey Philadelphia Elsewhere QUOTES TKTS PLAYWRIGHTS' ALBUMS LETTERS TO EDITOR FILM LINKS MISCELLANEOUS Free Updates Masthead Writing for Us |
CurtainUp
 Berkshires Summer 2008 Theater Schedules
INDEX OF THEATERS
Editor's Note: Since summer theater productions run such a short time, we're again following last summer's system for some of the area theaters. Instead of retiring each show review after it makes way for the next production, we're combining details and reviews of shows at a particular theater on one page so that everything remains at your fingertips. This applies to Barrington Stage, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Shakespeare & Co and Williamstown Theater Festival. These pages are still not set up as of this 5/14/08 update, but should become activate before the end of the month.Barrington Stage Berkshire Opera Berkshire Fringe Berkshire Playwrights Lab Berkshire Theatre Festival 1/2 TIX Summer Events Discount Booth MacHaydn Theater Chester Theatre Company Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival Old Castle Theater Shakespeare & Co Theater Barn Williamstown Theatre Festival Berkshire News Page Main Page with links to reviews Berkshire Review Archives Send feedback to esommer@curtainup.com Berkshire Playwrights Lab This is a new kid on the block, even though it's been in the works for several years. Produced by Joe Cacaci, Jim Frangione and Bob Jaffe, the lab presents staged readings of new works by known (Mamet is this year's big known name), little or totally unknown authors. The full-length readings are free and take place on Wednesday nights (July 30, Aug. 13 and 27) at 8 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, in Great Barrington. Future plans: Fullly rehearsed and staged new plays developed during the winter in workshops. For FutherDetails: berkshireplaywrightslab.org. 1/2 TIX Summer Events Discount Booth This popular discount ticket program is back, enabling budget conscious theater lovers to buy same day tickets at 1/2 off on the day of the performance. Participants include the new Capitol Steps revue at Cranwell, Tanglewood, Barrington Stage, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Jacob's Pillow and more. Locations for ticket pickup: Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Booth in Great Barrington; Pittsfied Visitor Center at 111A South Street; Adams Visitors Center at 3 House Street and Chatham Bookstore at 27 Main Street in Chatham. And new this season: You can call for Daily availability—443-9186 x322. Hours: Every day except Monday fro 3pm to 5pm--extended matinee hours Fri & Sun from 11am to 5pm. Barrington Stage Berkshire Music Hall, Union Street, Pittsfield, MA Website As we did last year we will have an all-in-one Barrington Stage Page for full production details, pictures and reviews. Mainstage Summer Season June 11 through July 12. William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This is, of course the musical that was a major hit for Barrington Stage in 2004 and the only disappointment was that the company's small second stage couldn't accommodate anywhere near the people clamoring to see it. It moved from the Berkshires to the Second Stage in New York and from there quickly transferred to the Circle in the Square on Broadway. The success of the Broadway show helped to finance Barrington Stage's handsome theater in Pittsfield and now, with the long Broadway run ended, it's only fitting that the show should begin what will undoubtedly be a long and happy life in other locations, by returning to Barrington Stage. BSC's director and choreographer TBA. July 17 through August 2. Richard Greenberg's The Violet Hour directed by Bob Ruggiero. I reviewed this play wen it debuted on Broadway 5 years ago (the review). It suffered from some unfortunate casting which doomed its success in the Big Apple but I felt, with a different cast and some reworking it could meet with more success in future. Here's hoping this wish will come true in Pittsfield.. Mainstage Summer Season June 11 through July 12. William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This is, of course the musical that was a major hit for Barrington Stage in 2004 and the only disappointment was that the company's small second stage couldn't accommodate anywhere near the people clamoring to see it. It moved from the Berkshires to the Second Stage in New York and from there quickly transferred to the Circle in the Square on Broadway. The success of the Broadway show helped to finance Barrington Stage's handsome theater in Pittsfield and now, with the long Broadway run ended, it's only fitting that the show should begin what will undoubtedly be a long and happy life in other locations, by returning to Barrington Stage. BSC's director and choreographer TBA. July 17 through August 2. Richard Greenberg's The Violet Hour directed by Bob Ruggiero. I reviewed this play wen it debuted on Broadway 5 years ago (the review). It suffered from some unfortunate casting which doomed its success in the Big Apple but I felt, with a different cast and some reworking it could meet with more success in future. Here's hoping this wish will come true in Pittsfield.. August 7 through 24. Noel Coward's Private Lives, starring Barring Stage favorite Christopher Innvar and directed by artisticdirector Julianne Boyd. Musical Theatre Lab on Stage II (This season most Stage 2 and Music Theatre Lab performances will take place at the VFW Post on Linden Street.) June 18 and runs through July 5. Chris Miller, Nathan Tysen and Joe Calarco's The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. When I saw this during it's Lab workshop it was not yet open for review, though you will find some comments on its background on Curtainup's Barrington Stage Summer '07 page. The summer 08 production is a fine-tuned, more developed production of what was already quite interesting last year. July 9 to 26 will bring My Scary Girl and August 7 to 23, See Rock City and Other Destinations. Several special events planned for the VFW venue: • Mary Testa and Michael Starobin will present Sleepless Variations (July 31-August 3) • Free staged readings of Lee Kalcheim's Believer (July 27) • Free staged readings of Mark St. Germain's Freud's Last Session (August 30-31) • Staged readings of David Javerbaum & Brendan Milburn's musical Watt!?! (May 24-25) BSC Youth Theatre: July 16 through August 17. Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Seussical. Try as it might, this musical never made it on Broadway. However, several re-jiggered, regional productions have met with more success, as this BS Youth Theatre is likely to do too. The same musical team from last year's High School Musical will be on board for the Seussical. Mainstage Fall Season: Christopher Sergel's stage adaptation of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning To Kill a Mockingbird . n March. Berkshire Fringe Yes, the Berkshires have a summer Fringe. Now in its fourth season, this brainchild of three local actors/writers/musicians— Timothy Ryan Olson, Sara Katzoff and Peter Wise— runs for 3 weeks in July, through August 4. It features dance, film and music, some 15 experimental performances in all. Tickets range from free to $15. All events are held at Simon’s Rock College in Great Barrington. For details, berkshirefringe.org. Berkshire Opera Berkshire Opera Company, 297 North Street, Pittsfield, 413/442-0099; info@berkshireopera.org -- www.berkshireopera.org. The Berkshire Opera, has a snazzy new web site (same url as above). As it did last year, the opera company will launch its season with a concert presentation at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington. The July 11th event titled "Women on the Verge" will be headlined by local diva, soprano Maureen O'Flynn; also French mezzo-soprano Marie Lenormand, young American tenor Scott Scully, and bass-baritone Patrick Carfizzi. The opera company will return to the beautiful Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, on August 3rd with a concert called "Secrets of the Sea" and late in the season with a fully-staged performance of Le nozze di Figaro. The Berkshire Theatre Festival Berkshire Theatre Festival–– POBox 797, Stockbridge, MA 01262 (413/298–5536) Main Stage performances are Monday through Saturday evenings at 8pm with matinees at 2pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. Unicorn performances are Monday through Saturday evenings at 8pm with matinees at 2pm on Saturdays for most shows. Check our all-in-one Summer Season Review page for cast and designer details after the Decoration Day Weekend: Berkshire Theatre Festival Review page. The Mac–Haydn Theater musical theater in the round on Rte. 203 in Chatham, NY.. 518/ 392-9292 for or check their website. The 2008 season, the company's 40th, has lined up quite a feast:. May 22 - June 1 My Fair Lady. June 5-15 7 Brides for 7 brothers June 19-29 A Chorus Line July 3-20 Hairspray July 24 - August 3 Phantom of the Opera August 7-17 The Will Rogers Follies August 21-31 The Sound of Music The ChesterTheatre Company, an Actors’ Equity Association company, at the Chester Town Hall, on Middlefield Street off Route 20. (413 - 354 -7771) web site. Evening Performances Wed-Sat at 8pm Matinee Performances Thurs & Sun at 2pm The 2008 season will be as follows: Blackbird by David Harrower from July 2-13. This won an Olivier in London (London production review) and was well received Off-Broadway production ( review). It will be intresting to see what this small, more budget constrained company will do with it. Almost, Maine by John Cariani - July 16-27. When I saw this charming play's world premiere Off-Broadway I predicted that it would have a good regional life, especially in New England. (review) This prediction is coming true. The Theater Barn in New Lebanon did it last year, and now it's coming to a theater I think is a natural for it. The Dishwashers by Morrie Panych - July 30- August 10. This is a Canadian import, a comic theatrical fable in which Chief Dishwasher Dressler presides over the basement scullery of an upscale eatery, marshaling his forces with a stream of Marxist rhetoric, Ayn Rand-inspired ravings and old fashioned working class pride. Unfortunately, his fellow wage slaves, the ancient Moss and the downwardly mobile Emmett, fail to fall into step. Tilted House by Susan Eve Haar - August 13-24. A family drama revolving Annie and Robert and their son Henry have taken a beach house on Fire Island. Robert, an ambitious editor has invited Clay, a famous novelist, to visit in hopes of landing the writer?s next opus. When Clay accepts and takes up residence, the family is plunged into a world of dangerous games that beget passion and betrayal, and call into question choices made long ago. Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival Beckett, MA Website The pristine setting of the venerable dance festival now in its 75th season is a must stop for every visitor to the Berkshire area. In addition to a program in two theaters there are many free events for "just stopping by" to spend a few hours on the 163-acre campus. These include performances on the Inside/Out stage (an ideal way to introduce children to the art of movement), Exhibits, PillowTalks, Community Day, walking tours, and Pre- and Post-Show Talks moderated by Scholars-in-Residence. The website, besides listing details about this seasons very full schedule has some wonderful images. Old Castle Theatre, Vermont Route 9 at Gypsy Lane P.O. Box 260, Bennington, Vermont O5201 (802–447–0564 Box Office, 802–447–1267 Office, 802–442–3704 Fax) Website . Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 8PM Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: 2PM Matinees. Bennington, Vt., is a bit too far north for me to get there often. However, when I've gone I've seen some worthwhile shows and they have a long season. Following is their summer into fall play schedule. June 20- July 6, 2008 The Grass is Greener by Hugh & Margater William. An American millionaire invades an impoverished Earl's mansion and falls in love with the lady of the house. The Earl, who wants to keep his wife, enlists the aid of an old girlfriend in a feeble attempt to make her jealous. There is a duel, and only one of the men can win Hilary. The film version starred Cary Grant, Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr. July 25- Aug 10, 2008 Bedroom Farce, by Alan Ayckbourn Four couples, three bedrooms, one unforgettable Saturday night in the return of the most popular play in our 37 year history. Get ready to laugh! Aug 29 - Sept 14, 2008 Third by Wendy Wasserstein, about a middle-aged New England, liberal college professor who accuses one of her students of plagiarism. Oct 3-19, 2008 A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens One of the world's greatest storytellers classic novel about love amidst the French Revolution comes to the stage in a new adaptation. Shakespeare & CompanyShakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble St., Lenox, (413) 637–1199 Web Site Update: Check our all-in-one Summer Season Review page for cast and designer details: Shakespeare & Co. l Review page. Back to Index Theater Barn, 654 Route 20 New Lebanon, NY (518) 794–8989 info@theaterbarn.com–web site. Lots of antiques shops and restaurants en route. Performances: Thursdays & Fridays at 8 PM Saturdays at 5 PM and 8:30 PM Sundays at 2 PM Fall shows run Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. This year's summer into fall line-up: June 13 - June 22 How The Other Half Loves. In this popular farce by the master Alan Ayckbourn, two married couples project their infidelities on a third, totally innocent and socially backward husband and wife. June 26 - July 6 Same Time Next Year. A man and woman who meet accidentally and begin an annual affair one weekend a year that lasts throughout their adult lives. July 10 - July 20 The Mousetrap. Best known of the Agatha Christie murder mysteries and longest running play in the world with a classic Christie twist ending. July 24 - August 3 Musical of Musicals. An Off-Broadway hit that tells the same story as seen through the eyes of five composers. August 7 - August 17 Forever Plaid. Forever fun musical comedy that salutes the popularity and close harmonies of the guy groups of the 1950's. August 21 - August 31 Grease. Now enjoying a Broadway revival, this one takes us to Rydell High in 1959 with a score that celebrates '50's rock and roll, doo-wop music and lots of teenage antics. September 5 - September 14 Visiting Mr. Green Paths cross in an unlikely way when two men who dislike being in the same room together overcome their differences and develop a heart warming, poignant, and enriching friendship. September 19 - September 28 Murder At The Howard Johnson's. Suspense comedy about a love triangle in a Motor Inn. A married couple and their dentist attempt to have it all, at any cost. Williamstown Theatre Festival 1000 Main Street, Williamstown, MA (413/597-3400) Tickets can be purchased on line, 24 hours a day, with full access to what's available and seat location: web address. Performance schedule for all venues is Check our all-in-one Summer Season Review page for cast and designer details: Williamstown Theatre Festival Review page. Berkshire Main Page Berkshire News Berkshire Review and Feature Archive CurtainUp's Main Page See also separate pages for Berkshire TheatreFestival, Barrington Stage, Shakespeare & Company, Chester Theater and Williamstown Theatre Festival. |
