All-Gershwin Program

Tanglewood, Lenox
August 26
By Shera Cohen

Summer is officially over. Although there are remaining weeks on the calendar, the rumor that summer is still with us is a lie. Here is the fact. The final musical note, the last cheers, and the fourth standing ovation at Tanglewood’s culminating concert mark the true end to the season.

Knowing that today was the last (but just for this year) of orchestral excellence at Tanglewood was a bittersweet occasion. Conductor Keith Lockhart led his Boston Pops in one of its most exciting concerts to date. Playing before a full shed and full lawn, there was little doubt that everyone present left with a smile and perhaps humming. A combination of several factors made this concert a huge success, with none being more important than any of the others; i.e. The Pops, Lockhart, Gershwin, familiar music, Brian Stokes Mitchell, a cool day, and no rain.

Three of Gershwin’s most famous works made for one-half the program. Pianist Jean-Yves Thibaubet laid his fingers on the keyboard to, undoubtedly, create the sounds exactly as Gershwin intended for “I Got Rhythm” and “Rhapsody in Blue.” Each piece included solo sections, and balancing acts between dramatic and humorous, slow and fast, and symphonic and jazzy music. Gershwin, who died at age 39, was certainly a genius, and it is sad to think what else he could have written besides these two classics and “An American in Paris.” The latter ended the afternoon at Tanglewood. Even without images of Gene Kelly in our heads, this piece deserves its lofty and honored place in music history. The Pops and Lockhart also +deserved their numerous standing ovations.

The other half of the performance were Gershwin songs led by two of current Broadway’s best – Marin Mazzie and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Most of the music was light, as the two sang solos and duets. Mitchell had fun with his audience. Also, he can probably hold a note longer than any living singer. He’s handsome, charismatic, and a PBS favorite.

A couple of words of advice – instead of lamenting summer’s departure, remember Tanglewood’s music in the woods. For those only reading what they missed, there is always next year.

Paradise City Arts Festival Preview

Three County Fairgrounds, Northampton – upcoming Oct. 6-8
By Shera Cohen

During our growing up years, traditions are started. In the case of this reviewer, Memorial Day meant a family trip to the Connecticut shore to clean the cottage for the summer ahead. Columbus Day meant watching the annual Springfield parade and leaves turning color. Past traditions have been abandoned, for at least the past 15 years now, for the biannual trip to the Paradise City Arts Festival.

For those seeking the best – yes, BEST – arts and crafts show in New England, this is it. Paradise City is an exquisite and whimsical art gallery as well as a “window shopper’s” dream come true. It is also the opportune time to purchase the perfect wedding, new home, or Christmas gift. Admittedly, I treat myself to a gift. After all, who can buy exactly what you want other than you?

Be prepared to see the unusual, no matter what the art genre. It is guaranteed that there will be enough art worthwhile to make the trip – some in the form of jewelry, photography, furnishings, clothing, glass, sculpture, and paintings. Pieces are as small as earrings and as large as lawn ornaments. Artists are from near (Northampton) and far (California). Actually, more and more, these artists are local residents. It is important to support this talent.

Speaking of local talent – there’s also music in the adjacent tent and the culinary talent of numerous Northampton restaurants. To do Paradise City justice, plan on spending at least three hours, which probably means you will be hungry at some point in this arts’ sojourn. Sight see, shop, dine, and be merry.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

Jacob's Pillow
August 22
By Rachel White

Wrapping up their 75th season, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival welcomes world renowned Hubbard Street Dance Chicago to the Ted Shawn Theatre. Respected as "America's Dance Company" for their popularity throughout the country an around the globe, the contemporary company brings a wonderfully diverse repertoire to the stage.

Opening the evening, the first of five pieces is titled Baker's Dozen, choreographed by the widely famous and beloved Twyla Tharp. Set to solo piano music, the work is playful and flirty, while it is performed with the precise technique the company has been famed for. The second work, Kiss, is innovative and intensely passionate. Staged with dramatic lighting, the two dancers are suspended by rope harnesses throughout the entire piece. Telling an incredible story of the highs and lows a romance endures, the work is crafted with deep emotion and personal conviction.

Lickety-Split is the third performance on the evening's repertoire. Choreographed by company member Alejandro Cerrudo, the piece is set to the unique music by songwriter Devendra Banhart. This sensual and playful work is peppered with delicate gestures amongst the beautiful lines and shapes created by the three talented couples. Passomezzo, the fourth number, is dynamic and wonderfully athletic. Performed by a perfectly paired couple, the duet tells an emotional story of the give and take a romantic partnership requires.

The final work of the evening, Gnawa, is by far an amazing and breathtaking journey to experience. Danced by seven couples, all tremendously talented with beautifully sculpted bodies, the work is crafted with captivating energy and grace. Formations and lines are endless throughout the piece, while the seductive fluidity is simply inspiring to watch. The piece truly exemplifies the beauty and art that the human body can create through movement.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is truly a company that continues to evolve and amaze through the years. A force to be reckoned with on the world stage of dance, they are sure to leave their audience inspired and in awe long after the curtain has closed.

News in Revue & The Capitol Steps

"News in Revue," Pittsfield, through 9/2
"Capitol Steps," Lenox, through 9/2
By Shera Cohen

For those who like current event reports somewhat edgy, oftentimes risque, and always humorous, audiences have two live performances to choose from this summer. Step away from TV's Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report for a few hours and enjoy both "News in Revue" and "Capitol Steps." Similar shows in style, music, and calibre of talent, one can never laugh enough at today's politics. Being a political contest year, each program had far too much material to pick from. Needless to say, Bush and Cheney were jabbed a lot.

"News" features a quartet and pianist. "Steps" has a quintet and pianist. Both take familiar songs ("News" uses a lot from the past decades; "Steps" from Broadway), add contemporary offbeat lyrics, odd costumes, clumsy props, and hideous hairdos to create excellent and very funny shows. Surprisingly, all of the comediens have good voices. It's surprising because that's not necessary for this.

"News" differs in that the sketches are longer, fewer, offer terrific choreography, end on a solemn note; and dinner is included. "Steps" gives its audiences more fast-paced vignettes, and has a gem of a segment as one of the actors speaks backwards. It's a challenge to understand at first, but catches on quickly and he had the audiences laughing in their rows.

"News" is in its new location at the Bousquet Ski Resort, Pittsfield, and "Steps" is in "News'" old location at the Cranwell Inn, Lenox. Both are easy to find, and worth the find.

A Quick Glance at Summer at Shakespeare & Company

Lenox
through 9/2
By Shera Cohen

During its 30th anniversary year, Shakespeare & Company never waivers in its excellence in presenting the best in the Berkshires. Especially amazing is the fact that the same actors perform in two plays each (oftentimes on the same day, two in English and two in 16th century English), not to mention their "day jobs" in managerial capacities. Do any of the actors/employees get much sleep? Perhaps not, as they run the summer series from May through September.

The seldom staged "Antony and Cleopatra" was a tour-de-force for actors Tina Packer and Nigel Gore and director Michael Hammond. This tragic and fabled love story amid years of war made for a dramatically balanced play. Having the opportunity to sit in on a rehearsal offered this reviewer a keen look at the challenges faced by actors and crew.

The Bard's often staged "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was the other selection on the roster, and as different from "A & C" as night and day. How these same actors keep their lines straight and never mix the language of the two plays is sheer professionalism. "Dream" is a romp in the forest, literally, with lots of fun had by all, including the audience.

Tom Stoppard's "Rough Crossing" could also be dubbed a romp -- this time onboard ship in the 1930s. Dialogue connecting one player's words with another's was a common humorous thread -- what had meaning for the first player had a second meaning for the other. This was a leave-your-brain-at-home experience.

Shakes & Co.'s Bankside Festival is always free of charge and equally delightful. It includes lectures, mini-pre-shows, dances, and one fully-staged comedy all performed by the student acting troupe. Moliere's "Scapin" took the tent stage. Fitting the usual Moliere formula, this was one of his funniest and less political plays. Full of slap-stick, malaprops, whimsy, mistaken identities, and chase scenes, "Scapin" had it all -- for all ages.

Note: Catch Shakes & Co.'s bonus play, "Sherlock Holmes," in late September/early October.

Mark Morris Dance Company

Jacob’s Pillow
Aug. 7-11
By Stacy Ashley

The Mark Morris Dance Company returned for the Pillow’s 75th Anniversary Season with four pieces. Recognizing the opportunity to put live music with live dance, Morris invited musicians and vocalists from the Tanglewood Music Center. There is just something about having live music with live dance that makes it so much more.

The first two pieces were recently premiered and are nice additions to long list of works by Morris. In Italian Concerto the dancers move with precision performing trademark steps- the syncopated movements and the pendulum type swinging with arms and legs. I
In the piece Looky the dancers drift on and off the stage becoming either onlookers or the exhibit itself at a museum. Dancers move from one tableau to another, while other dancers perform ballet moves with mock histrionics. Morris, known for his humor and satire, didn’t miss the opportunity for some of the dancers to then become critics as they scribbled notes onto an imaginary notebook.

The last two pieces performed were Candleflowerdance and Love Song Waltzes. Candleflowerdance is a beautiful piece set to Stravinsky’s ‘Serenade in A’. The stage is set with scattered lit candles and flowers in a vase. The lighting is subtle to accentuate the mood. The six dancers push, pull, lean and collapse against each other, another Morris specialty. In Love Song Waltzes dancers shift through different partnering, moving across the stage creating formations that fold into one another. A witty and sentimental statement about love, Love Song Waltzes, was a beautiful way to end the evening.

Green River Festival

Greenfield Community College
Greenfield
July 19-21
By Eric Sutter

The 21st annual Green River Festival kicked off on Thursday, July 19th at the Second Congregational Church in Greenfield, MA with a double bill of Boston-based new voices. Eilen Jewell, part country twang and blues delivered a mix of rootsy singing styles backed by a hot honkytonk band. Crooked Still played a rock inspired style of country, bluegrass and folk.

Friday night shifted to Greenfield Community College with the Bayou Blast represented by the New Orleans styles of Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience and the Subdudes.

Saturday kicked into high gear with the Godfather of Pioneer Valley rock, Ray Mason. The Ray Mason Band cranked out a riveting set or Rock n' Roll revelry, including the title cut of their latest 2007 CD, "Don't Mess With Our Routine." Regional favorites, Rani Arbo + daisy Mayhem followed with their rootsy swingin' bluegrass. Rich four part harmonies touched off by her alto and fiddle flourishes kept upbeat numbers from her their new CD, "Big Old Life", alive and fresh.

The second stage featured performances in an intimate setting with bands Kamikaze Hearts, The Kennedys and Northampton's Primate Fiasco which played a mix of styles in the spirit of "Let The Good Times Roll" as hot air balloons were launched into blue skies. The Main Stage showcased Erin McKeown in her cool syncopated guitar style singing in a beautiful clear mezz-soprano voice. Another treat was an outstanding performance by British R+B singer, James Hunter in a smooth soulful singing style. Tight horn arrangements punched up the soul of "People Gonna Talk." Southern Culture on the Skids played a unique brand of Americana Rock n' Roll. Surf instrumental "Skullbucket" and rockabilly "Mojo Box" conjured up the hellish verve and wild abandon of the late 50's and early 60's. Neko Case sang her mix of Indie-pop and country with a sextet that included pedal steel and banjo. Her lush voice sounded comfortable singing Dylan's "Buckets of Rain" as the pink and blue sunset brought twilight to Greenfield. Headliner Buddy Guy strode on to the Main Stage blues happy at nightfall with electric guitar that cut into "Hoochie Coochie Man." He performed indescribably blue with "Dreams to Remember" Making every possible guitar sound imaginable, Guy imitated his peers playing snippets from B.B. King and Albert King. He segued into John Lee Hooker's "Boom, Boom" and Cream's "Strange Brew" interspersed with Jimi Hendrix. Between his accomplished side guitarist Rick Hall and himself, Guy stylized every major blues player from the last century. The two master guitarists closed with Eric Clapton's "Sunshine of Your Love."

Ballet du Grande Theatre de Geneve

Jacob's Pillow
August 1
By Rachel White

Staying true to founder Ted Shawn's vision and promise to bring the world's most innovative and diverse dance companies t Jacob's Pillow, the world famous dance community welcomes Ballet du Grande Theatre de Geneve to it's main stage this week. Performing two original pieces for their U.S. debut, the Switzerland based company bring a taste of the European dance scene for art enthusiasts to enjoy.

Opening the evening with Para-dice, the piece is performed with six dancers, all beautifully trained with exceptional classical ballet technique. The choreography, however, is anything but classical ballet. Crafted to demonstrate the dancers diversity, the contemporary work is performed to a variety of music, ranging from wildly exotic to tearfully beautiful. The dancers are fluid and dynamic all in the same moment and the symmetry of the lines and formations are molded with true artistic talent.

Loin is the second work performed of the evening and is a very diverse and complex piece of choreography. As a former professional dancer, turned educator and choreographer, this critic was awe inspired with the array of creative and passionate energy of which this piece was brought to life. Peppered with amazing timing and synchronized patterns, Loin is performed with beautiful athleticism and technique. A section that should be celebrated is performed wit two couples, all gorgeously trained and sculpted. A very modern twist on the classic pas de quatre, the couples demonstrate sheer grace and fluidity.

Ballet du Grande Theatre du Geneve brings a beautiful evening to their audience from the minute the curtain opens and leaves a lasting impression long after the evening ends. Though geared for the open minded dance enthusiast, the company brings a wonderful glimpse into the world of European dance and is sure to be enjoyed by all who venture into this rare and unique performance.