Ventfort Hall, Lenox, MA
through September 1, 2013
by Shera Cohen
One of the somewhat hidden gems in the Berkshires is the
annual play at Ventfort Hall. Each summer’s performance stars a solo female
actor in the role of an historic figure related to Ventfort’s history.
Subtitled, “The Geisha of the Gilden Age,” the story is the biography of Yuki
Kato, wife of George Morgan of the famous J.P. Morgan family. George’s parents
were owners of Ventfort Hall in the 1900’s.
Mayu Iwasaki is beautiful and splendid in the role of the
Japanese geisha whose life changes dramatically upon her marriage and life in
the United States. It is, obviously, difficult for one person to hold an entire
play together. Iwasaki, along with director Enrico Spada, flows smoothly from
scene to scene just as her costume flows onstage. Iwasaki tells her audience
Kato’s story in the first person – a story that isn’t always pretty, yet
honest.
As Ventfort Hall’s renovations continue, the staff
increasingly adds public programs and events. In addition to theatre is a
unique fashion doll exhibit, lectures, Appraisal Day, and the Tea & Talk
Summer Series. The latter features noted experts speaking on such subjects as
the Jekyl Island Club, the New York Subway tunnel art, Louisa May Alcott,
Nellie Bly, and Miles Morgan. Talks are on Tuesdays from 4pm – 6pm.
