tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3554590441907565892012-02-14T11:04:52.115-05:00In The Spotlight, Inc.Supporting the arts in Western New England and BeyondS. Cohennoreply@blogger.comBlogger471125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-26722819508333412272012-02-14T11:04:00.000-05:002012-02-14T11:04:03.551-05:00The Kingston TrioSymphony Hall, Springfield, MA
www.citystage.symphonyhall.com
February 12, 2012
by Eic Sutter
A warm receptive audience was treated to the combined musical talents of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and folk icon the Kingston Trio from the first wave of the late 50's-early 60's folk revival. The glissading strings of the orchestra provided a smooth soundscape to a round of opening Americana S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-13596732352027464022012-02-03T08:52:00.000-05:002012-02-03T08:52:59.138-05:00Blast!Symphony Hall, Springfield, MAwww.citystage.symphonyhall.comFebruary 12, 2012by Eric Sutter
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margin:0inS. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-39003142066081626542012-01-29T19:18:00.003-05:002012-01-29T21:59:54.386-05:00Tchaikovsky & BeethovenTchaikovsky & Beethoven
Springfield Symphony, Springfield, MA
www.springfieldsymphony.org
by Michael J. Moran
For the third concert in its 2011-2012 "Classical" series, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra presented what their Music Director Kevin Rhodes called in a program note "a trio of…old pieces…from the 19th century (which) seem to reference a time even earlier than that."
S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-63637214893799490172012-01-29T13:45:00.000-05:002012-01-29T13:45:44.132-05:00The Sty of the Blind PigTheaterWorks, Hartford, CT
www.theaterworkshartford.org
through February 26, 2012
by Jarice Hanson
When "The Sty of the Blind Pig" by Philip Hayes Dean was first produced in 1971, Time magazine called it “one of the year’s ten best plays.” Part comedy, part tragedy, audiences were introduced to complicated, empathetic urban African-American characters in Chicago at the time of the Civil Rights S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-59021739390563578622012-01-24T07:18:00.000-05:002012-01-24T07:18:54.781-05:00Mavis StaplesMahaiwe, Great Barrington, MA
www.mahaiwe.org
January 22, 2012
by Eric Sutter
Soul folk gospel singer Mavis Staples performed an inspirational sound of good news joy in a concert at Mahaiwe. Her voice always had a ring of truth to it and this night was no exception. Like the clang of a horseshoe hitting home, she began with the loud praise of "Wonderful Savior." Staples then eased into the S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-45851010128178058322012-01-21T21:57:00.000-05:002012-01-21T21:57:56.966-05:00Boeing-BoeingHartford Stage, Hartford, CT
www.hartfordstage.org
through February 5, 2012
by Jarice Hanson
While great plays are timeless, some plays are better suited to the era in which they were written. “Boeing-Boeing” is a good example of a play that encapsulates the 1960’s fascination with jet travel, breaking sexual mores, and women’s liberation, but satisfies that theater-goer’s appetite for S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-84028985375884278682012-01-19T21:10:00.002-05:002012-02-14T11:04:52.134-05:00PREVIEW-Parent's Night OutCityStage, Springfield, MA
www.symphonyhall.com
February 2-5, 2012
By R.E. Smith
As the busy mother of three kids, Karen Morgan knows what a hassle it can be finding child care, so she wants to assure the audience that “Parent’s Night Out” is “baby-sitter worthy”. Partnered with fellow comedian Jim Colliton, also a parent of three, Karen says the goal of the show is “to make people laugh with S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-59406827155518789492012-01-12T11:06:00.000-05:002012-01-12T11:06:11.145-05:00MemphisThe Bushnell, Hartford, CT
www.bushnell.org
through January 15, 2012
by Shera Cohen
The Bushnell just keeps on bringing Broadway Tony Award winning musicals to Hartford. This week’s production is one from that short list of winners -- “Memphis.” Yes, New York is a nice place to visit, and theatre is perhaps the best of the best. However, do not ignore the classy, professional productions S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-35077971921454666232012-01-11T08:54:00.002-05:002012-01-11T08:54:43.352-05:00Brahms and “Beatboxing”Hartford Symphony, Hartford, CT
www.hartfordsymphony.org
January 5-8, 2012
by Michael J. Moran
Having yielded the podium to Richard Coffey for the third program in the Hartford Symphony’s 2011-2012 “Masterworks” series in December, HSO Music Director Carolyn Kuan returned to lead the offbeat fourth program, which surrounded a recent Finnish composition with two familiar masterpieces from S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-53913451413151199712011-12-07T09:52:00.002-05:002011-12-07T09:55:39.497-05:00The Santaland DiariesShakespeare & Company, Lenox, MAwww.shakespeare.orgthrough December 30, 2011by Shera Cohen
Ryan Winkles is just so cute. He looks like a flirtatious cherub. Even Winkles’ name is cute. It is no surprise that he is cast as Crumpet the Elf in “The Santaland Diaries.” Yet, don’t look for your usual holiday sweetness and charm (both of which are quite evident in Winkles’ talent) in this one-act play S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-3007969105126550112011-12-06T12:51:00.004-05:002011-12-06T12:54:13.891-05:00LisztomaniaClose Encounters with Music
Mahaiwe, Great Barrington, MAwww.cewm.orgDecember 4, 2011
by Michael J. Moran
Franz Liszt’s 200th birthday anniversary converged with the 20th anniversary season of Close Encounters with Music in a program entitled “Lisztomania.” Cellist and CEWM Artistic Director Yehuda Hanani prefaced the concert with an entertaining and informative 10-minute lecture about Liszt, S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-47491183754138781892011-12-05T10:37:00.001-05:002011-12-05T10:37:47.996-05:00GodspellUnitarian Society, Springfield & Monson, MA
through December 11, 2011
by Felicity HardyThere are some shows that appear often in the area. "Godspell" is one of those musicals. The loose structure of the show itself, which is told as a series of parables demonstrated by Jesus, John the Baptist/Judas, and a ragtag group of clown-like disciples, is one left wide open for interpretation and S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-84283582916113493652011-12-05T10:35:00.001-05:002011-12-05T10:38:06.248-05:00Holiday MasterworksHartford Symphony Orchestra, Hartford, CTwww.hartfordsymphony.orgthrough December 4, 2011
by Michael J. Moran
As Music Director of the Hartford Chorale since 2006, Richard Coffey was no stranger to the Hartford Symphony when he led the orchestra in an imaginative program of three “Holiday Masterworks,” the third program in their 2011-2012 “Masterworks” concert series.
Even with no S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-58930270366482979532011-12-02T09:41:00.000-05:002011-12-02T09:41:38.582-05:004 Sides of 40CityStage, Springfield, MAwww.symphonyhall.comNovember 29, 2011
by K.J. Rogowski
CityStage’s “4 Sides of 40,” delves into the trials and tribulations of four individuals and the lives they lead as…forty and single, forty and newly married, forty and long time married with kids, and, of course, forty and divorced. This humorous walk through the possible perils of forty is told in an evening S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-58446835604380815162011-11-30T11:39:00.000-05:002011-11-30T11:39:05.093-05:00In Memorium--Emily ListA lovely, local theatre actress, and "In the Spotlight" writer died this week. She was only 26-years-old, fought cancer as hard as she was able (while still reviewing), but lost. She will be missed by many.Read the Hampshire Gazette's obituary on Emily List. It's a beautiful commentary on this talented young woman.http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/11/28/emily-caroline-list-creative-039old-soul039 S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-22969611709128089952011-11-29T10:32:00.000-05:002012-02-14T11:04:52.135-05:00Rock of AgesSymphony Hall, Springfield, MA
www.springfieldsymphony.org
December 8, 2011
by Eric Sutter
Shannon Mullen
Set in L.A.'s infamous Sunset Strip in 1987, "Rock of Ages" tells the story of Drew, a boy from South Detroit and Sherrie, a small town girl. Both are in L.A. to chase their dreams of making it big and falling in love. This feel good, five-time Tony Award nominated musical is in its S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-37385437263003001762011-11-24T09:58:00.000-05:002011-11-24T09:58:42.473-05:00Peter PanThe Bushnell, Hartford, CT
www.bushnell.org
through November 27, 2011
by Walt Haggerty
Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan has become almost as traditional as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade…and she's marvelous! Rigby is no stranger to the "boy who refuses to grow up" and it appears that, now in her fourth tour, that she is equally ageless.
In the current production, Cathy Rigby is constantly in motionS. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-85900233366976704342011-11-23T11:51:00.000-05:002011-11-23T11:51:10.710-05:00Still Black, Still Proud-An African Tribute to James BrownMahaiwe, Great Barrington, MAwww.mahaiwe.org Great Barrington, MANovember 20, 2011by Eric Sutter
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S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-31468241807619820782011-11-21T10:20:00.006-05:002011-11-21T21:34:18.650-05:00Magna OperaHartford Symphony Orchestra, Hartford, CTwww.hartfordsymphony.orgNovember 10-13, 2011by Michael J. Moran
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{mso-style-parent:""S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-41903425213198789622011-11-14T18:06:00.002-05:002011-11-14T18:08:14.090-05:00CinderellaOpera House Players, Broadbrook, CT
www.operahouseplayers.org
through November 27, 2011
by Walter Haggerty
There's magic in the air in Broad Brook as the Opera House Players present Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" with an outstanding company. This treatment of the beloved fairy tale was conceived by R&H in 1957 as a special project for live television and served to introduce Julie S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-88002503388458514832011-11-14T18:01:00.000-05:002011-11-14T18:01:20.551-05:00Greater TunaMajestic Theater, West Springfield, MA
“Greater Tuna”
www.majestictheater.com
through December 18, 2011
by K.J. Rogowski
“Greater Tuna,” by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears and Ed Howard, challenges both its actors and its audiences on several levels.
First, two actors must play a myriad of roles, requiring fast costume and faster character changes. Second, scenes deal with many topics, some just S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-67097546677125402592011-11-08T15:07:00.002-05:002011-11-08T15:07:45.354-05:00Barber, Schuman, & RachmaninoffSpringfield Symphony Orchestra, Springfield, MAwww.springfieldsymphony.orgNovember 5, 2011by Michael J. Moran
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{S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-37078396784008027432011-11-02T19:35:00.000-04:002011-11-02T19:35:20.683-04:00SwayambhuShantala Shivalingapppa
UMass Fine Arts, Amherst, MA
www.fineartscenter.com
October 28, 2011
by Barbara Stroup
Shantala Shivalingapppa brought a reverent and appreciative audience back in time to an Indian temple in her Bowker Auditorium presentation of Kuchipudi classical dance. Alone with four musicians on the stage, she both interpreted a narrative and made a religious statement with her S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-22124111775351087862011-11-02T19:33:00.002-04:002011-11-02T19:36:47.243-04:00Water by the SpoonfulHartford Stage, Hartford, CT
www.hartfordstage.org
through November 13, 2011
by Kait Rankins
In this world premiere drama by Quiara Alegria Hudes, “Water by the Spoonful” seems like two separate plays: the first about an Iraq war veteran and his cousin coping with his mother’s death, and the second about a group of recovering drug addicts seeking support in an online chat room. The two S. Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355459044190756589.post-25141802351075977392011-10-24T21:37:00.000-04:002011-10-24T21:37:17.985-04:00Mahler’s “Titan”Hartford Symphony Orchestra
www.hartfordsymphony.org
through October 23, 2011
by Michael J. Moran
In her “Masterworks” series debut as their first female and youngest Music Director, 34-year-old Taiwan-born conductor Carolyn Kuan led the Hartford Symphony Orchestra in a program that demonstrated her mastery of the Germanic core of the standard repertoire.
Written in 1794-1795, Beethoven’s PianoS. Cohennoreply@blogger.com