by Shera Cohen
No, this is not the same article that I wrote last year
or the 16 years before that. And, yes, the places that I visit remain
essentially the same. The reason? Why mess with perfection? Keep reading
please.
Summer months in the Berkshires are synonymous with the
best in performing and visual arts in New England – perhaps in the United
States. We are extremely fortunate to live close by. In my case, I live REALLY
close by, spending two weeks in Stockbridge. It's a place of beauty, culture,
variety, and tourists (like me).
Barrington Stage Company (BSC), Pittsfield – Ever since
its move to Pittsfield, the work of BSC has gotten better and better.
Undoubtedly, that will continue this summer. Along with its two venues, is a
youth theatre where aspiring actors perform for children and adults. BSC is
becoming “the” venue to kick-off the plays of Mark St. Germain. Never heard of
him? You will! Author of “Freud’s Last Session” of BSC’s 2009 and 2010 season,
he also wrote the powerful drama “The Best of Enemies.” Both plays were based
on historic facts. BSC is one of the few theatres that dare to present some
tough drama in the summer. Obviously, audiences accept the challenge of
serious, actual events. Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” is on tap for July. I
will be there. www.barringtonstageco.org
Berkshire Fringe (BF), Great Barrington – BF bills itself
as “outrageously original” and it is. Founded by three twentysomethings, last
summer’s roster included 50 theatre, dance, and music events by 100 young
artists, on three stages. Workshops, artist talkbacks, and freebies make for a
lot of talent in one place in 18 days, with at least two performances on each
date (sometimes four). “The Erotics of Doubt,” a series of theatre vignettes,
was so modern that makes the word “modern” seem old, if that’s possible. With
live and canned music and odd props (a toilet), BF lives up to its name – on
the fringe of arts to create their own new arts. Every summer brings something
new, so I can’t predict what I will see. www.berkshirefringe.org
Berkshire Museum/Little Cinema, Pittsfield – Three
summers ago, the main exhibit was frogs. Mummies took the stage two years ago.
Last year it was geckos. I really can’t say that I like reptiles up close and
personal, but I might have been the only one. Kids and adults loved these
little slimy guys. Although, speaking of little and slimy, I must admit that a
Berkshire “must” is the museum’s gorgeous aquarium. The major summer exhibits
run from early June through mid-September. On the first floor is Little Cinema
– each week, a different independent or foreign film is featured.
www.berkshiremuseum.org
Berkshire Theatre Festival (BTF), Stockbridge – Berkshire
Theatre has become several theatres in one, having coupled its Mainstage and
Unicorn venues with Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. In this case, more is
certainly better. BTF is called a "festival" because it is a
celebration of theatre arts which includes tried & true drama and comedy
and musicals, experimentation, premiers, and youth productions. “Sylvia,” A.R.
Gurney’s comedy about man’s best friend was a hoot, not because dogs are
necessarily humorous creatures, but because of casting a beautiful
shaggy-haired actress in the role. Tennessee Williams’ “Period of Adjustment”
provided a relationship piece about post-Korean War buddies. Compelling
characters are synonymous with Williams, and this play was no exception. My
plan this summer is to see “Edith” (First Lady Edith Wilson) and the musical “A
Class Act.” www.berkshiretheatre.org
Capitol Steps (CS), Cranwell, Lenox - It’s difficult to
write a new review about Capitol Steps each year. And, that’s a good thing. The
revue is continuous laughter about contemporary issues. Since the news changes
daily and CS scripts are constantly updated, what I saw last July will be
different for audiences who attend in August – not to mention when I go again
this summer. CS is a parody, oftentimes on the controversial subjects, not
unlike that of Jon Stewart, primarily in song (newsy lyrics put to the beat of
familiar music). Needless to say, the brunt of the humor falls on the Obamas,
the Clintons, others in political offices, celebrities, and dictators. The
songs are edgy, risqué, and hilarious. This, being an election year, will
provide more than enough material so that no candidate will be left unscathed.
I will eagerly return. www.cranwell.com
Jacob's Pillow, Becket - The setting was the Ted Shawn
Theatre which, in fact, is a huge barn named after its founder. Shawn hailed
from Springfield. It was a pleasure to see the U.S. debut of the Cuban
contemporary dance company Danzabierta. Admittedly, although dance is not my
forte, I was amazingly surprised how much I thoroughly enjoyed this modern
dance troupe. Their performance was one long story with many sections with
colorful backdrops, shadows, and staccato rap/rock music. Every part of each
dancer’s body seemed in motion, including facial expressions. The Pillow is a
lovely campus of performing arts buildings, tents, outdoor stage, art studio,
and tea garden. Take it all in before the show, during intermission, or after.
On my calendar to see this year are The Men Dancers and Hong Kong Ballet.
www.jacobspillow.org
The Mount, Lenox - Edith Wharton's home has become a
place of lectures, gardens, estate tours, readings, exhibits, and theatre. Just
when you thought there was nothing to do in the Berkshires on a Monday, the
Mount’s barn theatre is open for its Afternoon Lecture Series. Talks by
biographers are insightful and entertaining. The grandson of Oscar Hammerstein
(“Sound of Music,” “Showboat”) spoke to a full house about his musical family’s
highs and lows. I didn’t know that Hammerstein wrote 46 musicals and movies
before getting a “hit.” For those who want to step back a century and feel a
bit highbrow (minus the gloves), there’s Wharton on Wednesdays’ tea and
readings on the lovely porch overlooking European-style gardens. I’m planning
on attending the lecture on Hadley Richardson (Hemingway’s first
wife). www.edithwharton.org
Shakespeare & Company, Lenox – Instead of
writing about what I saw last summer, this would be a shorter article if I
wrote about what I did not see. For readers of my summer articles, it should be
no surprise that this venue is my favorite. I attended 10 plays (indoors and
out), director talks, actor discussions, Q&As, and free stuff. Works of The
Bard are the mainstay. Last summer’s were the witty “As You Like It” and a new
take on “Romeo and Juliet.” Many plays are contemporary; i.e. “The Memory of
Water” about strained sibling relationships. Then there’s a classic like the
boisterous comedy “The Venetian Twins.” On any given day, an audience member
has a choice of attending up to six productions, each by superbly skilled
directors, and a cadre of talented actors. I am not ashamed to admit that I
attended “The Hound of the Baskervilles” three times. See my website review
(LINK HERE), and you’ll know why. This summer, I'll see “The
Tempest,” King Lear,” “Satchmo at the Waldorf,” “Endurance,” more plays, talks,
and Q&As. www.shakespeare.org
Tanglewood, Lenox – The epitome of sheer excellence in
the arts and nature in the Berkshires is Tanglewood. What can I say about
Tanglewood's music, conductors, orchestra, soloists, concert halls, and
landscape, that many others have not already written? All of the accolades and
superlatives are accurate. On any given week, you can attend as many as a
half-dozen concerts and public rehearsals performed by the Boston Symphony,
Boston Pops, and/or the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Highlights
included Keith Lockhart conducting a tribute concert to Cole Porter, Irving
Berlin, and George Gershwin; the All-Ravel program climaxing with “Bolero”; the
double bill of Haydn and Mahler; and Film Night. For the latter, John Williams
stood at the maestro’s podium, then turned to see his audience of thousands,
and asked one simple question, “Isn’t this a magical place?” The response?
Cheers by all. Yes, Tanglewood is magical. What am I attending this year? Does
it matter? www.tanglewood.org
Ventfort, Lenox – Ventfort is more than someone’s old
home with stained glass windows turned museum. Of course, it’s all of that plus
lovely porch and gardens. It is also a small theatre for one-person plays about
historic figures. “Open Marriage – Renegade Wife of the Gilden Age,” about the
life of turn of the 20th century radical thinker Elsie Clews Parsons, was
staged in the intimate setting of the library with cabaret seating and audience
participation. The actress utilized every nook and cranny of the room to tell
her story of sociological and economical mores of the times with the focus on
the character’s open marriage – well before that term was ever termed. While at
Ventfort, a tour of this old home is a plus. www.gildedage.org
The Wharton Salon, The Mount, Lenox (WS) – In its third
year, WS continues to mount one Edith Wharton short story each summer. Celebrating
the 100-year old piece, “Autre Temps,” was staged in what was once Wharton’s
stable, making this the ideal and intimate venue for the small theatre group.
Some of Shakespeare & Company actors take double duty at WS. This year’s
performance will be “The Inner House.” www.edithwharton.org
Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF), Williamstown – WTF’s
season always includes the who’s who among playwrights and their plays. I was
fortunate in seeing the psychological drama “A Doll’s House” (at Nikos Theatre)
and the supreme comedy “She Stoops to Conquer” (at Mainstage). Both venues were
at full audience capacity. The former was updated, and the latter was a period
play which was costumed and coiffed to the hilt. WTF always brings first
quality productions to the Berkshires in their repertoire of plays, creative
sets, and top-caliber actors. I look forward to attending “Far from Heaven” and
“The Elephant Man.” www.wtfestival.org
Also:
With only two weeks of vacation, we couldn’t fit in all
of the Berkshire arts. I look forward to adding the following to this summer’s
calendar. For websites on each check www.inthespotlightinc.org
Aston Magna, Great Barrington - is chamber music at its
best. It starts in June, so don’t miss out.
Berkshire Choral Festival, Sheffield - Listen to the
Springfield Symphony and hundreds of singers under a huge tent. I will be there
on Opera Night.
Berkshire Jewish Film Festival, many locations – You
don’t have to be Jewish to appreciate good film.
Chesterwood, Stockbridge – Tour indoor and outdoor
sculpture pieces – the centuries old side-by-side with contemporary work
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown – This iconic museum
presents the best in world-renowned art of all ages and for all ages.
Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield – This lush old theatre
presents excellent performing arts experiences of several genres. I hope to see
“A Chorus Line” and “Oliver.” I love musicals.
Mahaiwe, Great Barrington - The Mahaiwe is an elegant and
ornate renovated theatre in the heart of town that presents theatre, music, and
dance, and sometime all at once. I’ve got Paul Taylor Dance on my to-do list.
Mass MoCA, North Adams – It’s big, contemporary, odd,
colorful visual art in an old factory.
Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge – If it’s Rockwell,
it has to be homey American, and that’s exactly what you get at this great
museum.
Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown - Great art
at a great museum on a lovely college campus at a great price – free.
Walk the Berkshires Streets:
DowntownStreet Art, North Adams – Worth exploring is a
city-wide celebration of local and unique art of all genres in 21 locations in
a 12 block radius. They’ve added "Imagining North Adams" to its 2012
lineup!
First Fridays ArtsWalk, Pittsfield – New this summer, the
Upstreet Cultural District will host monthly visual arts events consisting of
exhibits and programming by many well-known downtown venues.
Third Thursdays in Pittsfield - Schedule at least one
third Thursday from 5-8pm. There’s a different theme each month that includes
outdoor and indoor programs of culture, sports, and the bizarre. Galleries are
open and streets are closed.
The Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge - Summer in the Berkshires
is never complete without a walk along Norman Rockwell’s picture perfect Main
Street, then relaxing on the Red Lion’s porch rocking chairs.