May, 2015
Shera Cohen
In mid-May of each year, I sit at my dining room table in
front of at least 12 flyers, schedules, and promotional pieces from as many
performing and visual arts venues in the Berkshires. This is my layout and plan
to create three summer weeks of enjoyment entrenched in everything cultural for
approximately six to eight people.
I have written my annual Berkshire article in different
formats, perhaps not for the readers’ sake, but selfishly to give myself some
new angles. I’ve done the diary, lumping similar genres, Best Of, and even
alphabetical. This article will be true to my actual planning process -- what
are we going to do in the mornings? The afternoons? The evenings?
Mornings: what to do?
Tanglewood rehearsal: Boston Symphony Orchestra’s new
conductor Andris Nelsons premiered his talent before his audience in the
Koussevitzky Shed and on the lawn on this cool, slightly windy, yet sunny
Saturday. This is not a full concert (although sometimes it is), yet a learning
experience as the conductor starts a movement, then stops, then proceeds.
Nelsons is effusive with arms spread wide. The musicians are dressed casually.
And who is this audience? Music lovers or novices, picnickers and frisbee
flyers, toddlers and seniors. I have seen spontaneous waltzes by couples in
bare feet. The rehearsals offer an “anything goes” atmosphere. Perhaps equal to
the joy of the music is a walk along the grounds, which include contemporary
sculpture, the Visitors’ House photo exhibit, and sweet-smelling grape arbors.
www.bso.org
Church on the Hill Craft Fair: I suggest googling for this
year’s dates in July. It’s a little fair in the center of Lenox with about 50
fine artists. We never miss it.
Shop the Outlets: Actually, this is a wonderful afternoon
activity as well. We went more often than was planned. What else can you do in the morning on a rainy day?
Go Hiking: For my friends, not me. They seem to enjoy the
rustic medium-size mountains and trails.
Sleep late: For me -- the large bed or pull-out sofa works
best.
Afternoons: what to do?
Shakespeare & Company: I can’t think of many
entertainments better than Shakespeare in the afternoon, except the spoof “The
Complete Works of Wm Shakespeare - abridged.” This uproarious comedy is a
primer for Elizabethan theatre lovers. And, it was safe to say that all in the
audience loved “Complete Works.”
When a play isn’t on stage, there is usually a talk, tour,
or skits. A scholar on Julius Caesar was the guest speaker, and excellent prep
for the play of the same name which immediately followed. Called the Bare Bard
Series, the venue often mounts an entire play with six or so actors portraying
dozens of characters, as was done here. Believe it or not, it is never
confusing to the audience. www.shakespeare.org
Jacob’s Pillow: The Pillow is a venue for dance lovers and
dance “window shoppers” like myself. Admittedly, I know little about the genre
except what I like. And, Dance Theatre of Harlem was a joy to watch. I have to
say, that the audiences at the Pillow are the most enthusiastic in the entire
Berkshires. My guess would be that they also boast the largest number of youth
in the audience. How wonderful to see these kids so excited by seeing art.
The summer’s Barn exhibit was “Gotta’ Dance: The Art of the
Dance Movie Poster,” of course, “starring” the likes of Gene Kelly, Fred
Astaire, along with Shirley Temple and Elvis. jacobspillow.org
Williamstown Theatre Festival: We always purposely plan a
Williamstown matinee rather than an evening performance. This offers time to
stop in Pittsfield and to take in the gorgeous view from atop the mountains.
Situated in the middle of Williams College’s luscious campus, there are two
side-by-side theatres. At the time, we didn’t realize our coupe of seeing a
play which, within months, went straight to Broadway. You’ll find that this
wonderful step over the New York border happens quite often -- Berkshire
theatre is THAT good. Renee Fleming’s name pulled in the full house (although
the only musical notes were hummed) to this comedy. “Living on Love” was lovely
fluff with many laughs. wtfestival.org
Clark Art Institute: It’s glass and steel and big. Looking
out the window to see the lily pod, there is a real Monet. One of the most
beautiful art museums in the New England, and perhaps in the country, is Clark.
The trip up north bears repeating annually, especially now. Last July, the
museum expanded significantly, and looks like a near-remodeling of its former self.
Interior and exterior designs are new, as are many exhibits. No worries,
however, as Clark’s permanent collection (particularly the Impressionist) is
very much there. clarkart.edu
Norman Rockwell Museum: It seemed that many Berkshires
venues celebrated anniversaries; i.e. Rockwell’s 45th. Always worth a return
trip, not only for the pleasure of appreciating and, perhaps, smiling at
Rockwell’s whimsy, or pondering his Four Freedoms, but to experience touring
exhibits by other artists. Illustrator Edward Hopper, was the “guest” of
choice. Both artists had had the same art teacher, but interestingly and in
spite of their works seeming similar (to this untrained non-artist’s eyes),
they had never met or even knew of each other. Who’s Hopper, you ask. Trust me,
you know his art, you’ve seen it, but probably most do not know his name. www.nrm.org
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| Photo by Kevin Sprague |
The Monday Lecture Series by authors whose topics are often
biographies (we listened to the story of Barbara Stanwyck) are selling out well
in advance of any promotion. The Sculpture Now Exhibit covers the acres of land
with huge pieces of modern art. Hear readings from the author’s novels while
seated on the porch sipping wine, or listen to music every weekend at 5pm. Most
important, however, are the house tours.
Last year, the venue played host to Shakespeare & Co.’s
“Romeo and Juliet” on an outdoor stage. This summer’s work is “Hamlet”. www.edithwharton.org
Tanglewood: This might seem odd to mention, but I devour
Tanglewood’s program books, reading the composers’ bios, the venue’s history,
and the donor list. I am probably among the few who read this list of names in
completion. Without financial help from individuals, especially, Tanglewood
could not be sustained. Certainly, that fact applies to all of the art venues.
The BSO booklet makes for a nice read.
You’ll never know what you learn when reading programs; i.e.
Tanglewood offers free grounds’ tours. If you’re able to traverse the luscious
lawn and small hills and dales, your guide will discuss the site’s history and
statistics; i.e. there are 500+ acres. FYI, I had broken my L leg and R foot
the winter prior, and the walk was not a strain. While on tour, music is heard,
performed by soloists and small groups constantly rehearsing in many nooks and
crannies on this naturally beautiful property. www.bso.org
Third Thursday in Pittsfield: This is precisely what the
title says, taking place on the late afternoon to early evening every third
Thursday in Pittsfield, featuring music on nearly every block corner, farmers’
markets, giant sandboxes, bicycle races, shopping (stores are open late), food
vendors, strolling entertainment, and families with strollers. In other words,
family-friendly fun. It had rained just a bit, then the sun, and a bright bonus
was a double rainbow. There seem to be a lot of rainbows in the Berkshires.
Miniature Golf: Mandatory for all who visit me is a game or
two, even though we are all pretty terrible at the sport, and I am the worst.
Town Fairs: Book & Craft Fair (Stockbridge), Town
Festival (Lee, early July), Greek Fest (Pittsfield), et al. Again, google for
the dates. Some sort of celebration, festival, or fair occurs on every summer
weekend.
Evenings: what to do?
Shakespeare & Company: We seem to take residence here
that Shakes & Co.’s staff might think about charging us rent. “A Midsummer
Night’s Dream,” starring several of the troupe’s best actors, was updated to
the 1920’s New Orleans jazz club setting. Equally funny and bawdy was “A Servant of Two Masters.” This group
often literally gets down ‘n dirty with physical humor aplenty.
And there’s more. A new play, “Shakespeare’s Will,” became a
tour-de-force performance by Kristin Wold in the role of the Bard’s wife.
Whoever says that one-person plays are boring, not up to “regular” play status,
and/or not worth buying a ticket, did not see this wonderful piece of theatre.
www.shakespeare.org
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| Photo by Kevin Sprague |
Each year, BSC’s big musical tops the year before -- and,
yes, I have said that before. I have no doubt, that I will again, anticipating
“Man of La Mancha” topping “Kiss Me Kate” which topped “On the Town” (currently
on Broadway) in 2013. BSC is on a role and won’t stop. Bravo.
Musicals may fill the houses, but it’s the little plays
(primarily dramas) that make BSC special. Before the release of the movie hit,
“The Imitation Game,” whose subject was master mathematician Alan Turing,
Barrington produced “Breaking the Code.” Actor Mark H. Dold, as Turing, is
becoming a regular at BSC. See him! It doesn’t matter what play he is in -- he
makes it so much better. barringtonstageco.org
Tanglewood: I confess that I am in awe of musical
composition. How can a composer pull all of those notes together, from each of
the orchestra’s sections, performing simultaneously and/or overlapping in
rhythm and texture?
The highlight of one of our Berkshire weeks was the
Tanglewood Gala, celebrating the professional BSO musicians, students of the
Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, vocal soloists, opera, Rachmaninoff, Ravel’s
“Bolero,” and fireworks. Thousands sat on the grass on what was a lovely cool
night.
Capitol Steps: Don’t worry and don’t even try -- you won’t
“get” it all -- all the satire, laughs, ribbing, lyrics, innuendoes, and/or
politics in this ever-changing lightning-speed comedy show with song and dance.
People ask me why I go every year. Well, doesn’t the news change yearly, let
alone daily? Capitol Steps spins the news, and I’m there to watch. capsteps.com
or cranwell.com
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| Photo by Emily Faulkner |
We started the Berkshire vacation here with lots of laughs
from the tried & true Charles Ludlam play, “The Mystery of Irma Vep.” If
you haven’t seen “Irma” at least three times, it is always worth a fourth and
fifth go-see. On the other hand, it is always worthwhile to experience something
new -- perhaps a play you have never heard of; i.e. “Benefactors” with BTG’s
resident director Eric Hill at the helm. berkshiretheatregroup.org
Mahaiwe Theatre: In the center of Great Barrington is an
ornate theatre whose aesthetic beauty is matched by the talent and diversity of
its performances. Mahaiwe is old (110 years) and young (10 years) at the same
time, having been reborn by patrons who knew its value to the arts and to the
community. The theatre’s smorgasbord of presentations include music (classical,
folk, jazz, blues, oldies), dance, film, speakers, comedy acts, opera in HD,
and some “fringy” stuff.
Highlighting our journey was dance, performed by the
sometimes dramatic, oftentimes whimsical Paul Taylor Dance Company, which has
been dubbed in the course of its 60 years by New York Times as, “One of the
most exciting, innovative, and delightful dance companies in the world.” They took the words right out of my
mouth. The troupe returns in early-July, 2015. mahaiwe.org
Berkshire Playwrights Lab, whose home is Mahaiwe, are three
theatre guys in the Berkshires who present semi-staged (no props) readings (by
Equity actors) of new plays. If your idea of entertainment is seeing a play
grow from its infancy before your very eyes, check out the Lab. You will find
the house packed.
Little Cinema: Hmm, it’s Monday night. Nearly all performing
art venues are dark. Okay, then, it’s time to go to the movies -- not just any
movie, but indies, new releases, and/or documentaries all housed in Berkshire
Museum. www.berkshiremuseum.org
Red Lion Inn: I honestly don’t know how anyone can visit the
Berkshires without a side trip to this gorgeous, old, rustic and at the same
time, elegant sight in the center of Stockbridge. Oh, but you’re not staying at
the inn? Doesn’t matter. Have a drink -- hot or cold, alcohol or not -- and
take a seat on the rocking chairs bedecking the large porch.
What we didn’t see... only because there wasn’t enough time,
or because we did go the pervious year; i.e. MASSMoCA, Berkshire Choral
Festival, Chesterwood, Ventfort Hall, Berkshire Fringe, and lots more.
