"No Background Music"
Labels: previews
May 10, 2008
May 9, 2008
"As You Like It"
Shakespeare & Company, Lenox.
Tina Packer, founder of Shakespeare & Company in Lenox,and director of this summer's play, calls "All's Well That Ends Well, "an almost adult comedy." One of Shakespeare's "festive" comedies, written soon after "Othello," it's the topsy-turvy tale of an orphan bride in a self-brokered marriage who can't get her husband to bed her. But no fear; "Girls just wanna have fun," and Helena is a girl with a plan.
Part fairy tale, part cautionary fable and wholly poking fun at the parts of both genders, "All's Well That Ends Well" asks its audience to suspend disbelief and visit a world when medicine was magic and the power of love conquered all. It is one of Shakespeare's simplest stories, written for entertainment and fun. Yet it rings true with the foolishness and chemistry of young love, the sadness and foibles of age, and the bumps taken on the way to self-awareness.
The play runs through August 31st with matinees and evening performances. By the way, the other Bard production this season is "Othello" -- offering drama at its utmost in comparison to all of this comedy. www.shakespeare.org
Tina Packer, founder of Shakespeare & Company in Lenox,and director of this summer's play, calls "All's Well That Ends Well, "an almost adult comedy." One of Shakespeare's "festive" comedies, written soon after "Othello," it's the topsy-turvy tale of an orphan bride in a self-brokered marriage who can't get her husband to bed her. But no fear; "Girls just wanna have fun," and Helena is a girl with a plan.
Part fairy tale, part cautionary fable and wholly poking fun at the parts of both genders, "All's Well That Ends Well" asks its audience to suspend disbelief and visit a world when medicine was magic and the power of love conquered all. It is one of Shakespeare's simplest stories, written for entertainment and fun. Yet it rings true with the foolishness and chemistry of young love, the sadness and foibles of age, and the bumps taken on the way to self-awareness.
The play runs through August 31st with matinees and evening performances. By the way, the other Bard production this season is "Othello" -- offering drama at its utmost in comparison to all of this comedy. www.shakespeare.org
Labels: previews
The Mount’s Summer Lectures
Arts and culture traditionally take one day off each week – Monday. What’s a visitor to do in the Berkshires? The Mount’s Summer Lectures at the home of famous author Edith Wharton bring noted speakers from around the world to discuss a wide variety of topics on eight consecutive Monday afternoons. All speakers are published novelists, professors, and filmmakers, among others. This summer’s subjects are equally, if not more, intriguing; i.e. biographies of remarkable personalities such as the Alice Roosevelt Longworth, Voltaire’s mistress Emilie Du Châtelet, the fashionable Marie Antoinette, and world-class garden designer Norah Lindsay. The choice of speakers is a very dynamic process. They are invited based on The Mount’s staff’s our own research on recent publications and recommendations by visitors. This year is the 16th series, and it’s especially interesting that all speakers donate their time to assist The Mount.
Lectures take place at 4pm. Don’t forget to stay for the question and answer session, to meet the author, perhaps buy the book, and munch on scones, and sip iced tea. The series is a step back in time, when life was civilized and formal, yet it’s quite alright to wear jeans and flip flops and looks like everyone else in the Berkshires. Check the complete schedule at www.edithwharton.org.
Labels: previews
Nikos Stage World Premiers
Three young playwrights. Three world premiers. That’s what Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF) offers this summer at the Nikos Stage – the smaller of its two venues. These last plays of the season have little else in common. However, to be selected by WTF for full-stage productions indicates that each passed critical muster.
“Broke-ology,” a drama written by Nathan Louis Jackson,” focuses on the hardships, survival, care, honor, and loyalty to family. At the same time, choices must be made by each. (July 9-20)
Theresa Rebeck’s “The Understudy” offers a bitingly witty story of the lights of Broadway. But lights are often dim on the most notorious roles in theatre – the understudy. (July 23-August 3)
“Not Waving,” by Ellen Melaver, is set on a beach with a troubled history. Yet the tides repeatedly turn to ultimately reveal a heartwarming play about the universal need to be loved. (August 6-17)
For details, and to learn about WTF’s main stage plays check www.wtfestival.org.
“Broke-ology,” a drama written by Nathan Louis Jackson,” focuses on the hardships, survival, care, honor, and loyalty to family. At the same time, choices must be made by each. (July 9-20)Theresa Rebeck’s “The Understudy” offers a bitingly witty story of the lights of Broadway. But lights are often dim on the most notorious roles in theatre – the understudy. (July 23-August 3)“Not Waving,” by Ellen Melaver, is set on a beach with a troubled history. Yet the tides repeatedly turn to ultimately reveal a heartwarming play about the universal need to be loved. (August 6-17)
For details, and to learn about WTF’s main stage plays check www.wtfestival.org.
Labels: previews
Bazaar Productions Produces Berkshire Fringe 2008
Jeffrey Weiss
A perfect example of the sort of entertainment to expect is their first play “Miracle Tomato.” Hundreds of tomatoes fall from the sky. Creator Jessica Cerullo recounts the rich and prolific history of the tomato in this sobering and hysterical comedy that examines cultivation, mass consumption, and the changing dynamics of food and family. www.berkshirefringe.org.
Labels: previews
April 14, 2008
Chicopee Glass Artist Featured in #1 of Top 10 Art Fairs in U.S.
Joe Peters is a professional artist. At age 24, he is also a graduate of Chicopee High School (2002) and will shortly receive his degree in Fine Art from Holyoke Community College. This May, Peters will display his art forms at the Paradise City Arts Festival in Northampton, where he is one of the youngest artists in what has become the #1 of the top 10 arts fairs in the country.
Technically in the genre of glass art, Peters’ work is more specific to create his one-of-a-kind pieces. The work is far from easy, as each subject is hand blown and heated to 1500 degrees. “When I start a piece, I have something in mind, but I’m never quite sure exactly what the result will be. There are no second chances,” said Peters.
Spotlight: You are perhaps one of the youngest artists showcased at Paradise City. Why did you decide to submit your work to the jury? How do you feel now that you have been selected?
Peters: This will be my 10th Paradise City show. I applied on the advice of Don Muller shortly after I was accepted to his gallery. I got into the show and have been excited to participate in every show since.
Spotlight: Your art genre is in glass. The subject matter is whimsical or in the shape of animal. What do you call your art form? What inspires you to determine what the outcome of each piece will be?
Peters: The art form is called lampworking or flameworking. I’m inspired by animals and nature, primarily. I lived in Honduras for a few months and did scuba diving which really motivated the underwater theme. Cartooning/doodling was always my style and whimsical just comes naturally to me. I always want my work to make people smile.
Spotlight: What is your work process? Heated and blown glass? How would you say your work is unique?
Peters: It’s called flameworking which is glassblowing with a torch rather than a furnace. I heat solid glass rods and hollow glass tubing, then blow, stretch and manipulate the sculptures with a variety of tools. The chemicals in the glass and the temperature of the flame determine the final colors, so each piece is kind of a surprise, and that makes it unique.
Technically in the genre of glass art, Peters’ work is more specific to create his one-of-a-kind pieces. The work is far from easy, as each subject is hand blown and heated to 1500 degrees. “When I start a piece, I have something in mind, but I’m never quite sure exactly what the result will be. There are no second chances,” said Peters.Spotlight: You are perhaps one of the youngest artists showcased at Paradise City. Why did you decide to submit your work to the jury? How do you feel now that you have been selected?
Peters: This will be my 10th Paradise City show. I applied on the advice of Don Muller shortly after I was accepted to his gallery. I got into the show and have been excited to participate in every show since.
Spotlight: Your art genre is in glass. The subject matter is whimsical or in the shape of animal. What do you call your art form? What inspires you to determine what the outcome of each piece will be?
Peters: The art form is called lampworking or flameworking. I’m inspired by animals and nature, primarily. I lived in Honduras for a few months and did scuba diving which really motivated the underwater theme. Cartooning/doodling was always my style and whimsical just comes naturally to me. I always want my work to make people smile.
Spotlight: What is your work process? Heated and blown glass? How would you say your work is unique?
Peters: It’s called flameworking which is glassblowing with a torch rather than a furnace. I heat solid glass rods and hollow glass tubing, then blow, stretch and manipulate the sculptures with a variety of tools. The chemicals in the glass and the temperature of the flame determine the final colors, so each piece is kind of a surprise, and that makes it unique.
Labels: previews
