As I write this piece, it’s technically spring on my calendar, but my porch is full of snow, albeit melting. So, for the sake of clarity, here is my recollection of my two-day late winter/early spring Berkshires cultural experience in my effort to prove that the Berkshires are not for summer stays only.
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| The Ten Tenors |
Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield: The Colonial is one of four
venues in the Berkshire Theatre Group – the oldest (1903), the largest, and the
most charming. PBS programs have aired numerous 3-men tenor groups whose music
is semi-opera, classical, and contemporary. Some singers are from Ireland or
Italy or USA. They are wonderful. In the case of The Ten Tenors, multiply any
of these fabulous trios x 3 + 1 for a perfect evening of glorious music. The
Ten hail from Australia as they bring some popular “down under” songs to the
stage. Their Four Seasons’ medley complete with choreography was a hoot. The
tribute to Prince and Leonard Cohen gave both artists due praise. Every song
included all 10 singers, sometimes focusing on a “lead,” sometimes not. Imagine
ten, good-looking, young-ish men in tuxes singing “Unchained Melody.” That was
the show-stopper. The highly anticipated “Nessum Dorma” (the finale to most of
the trio concerts) seemed to set the lush Colonial interior aglow. www.berkshiretheatregroup.org
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| Curiosity Incubator |
Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield: You’ve seen the ads - children
and adults wear goggle-like apparatus on their heads, walk around a room like
zombies, and shout “wow, cool, look at this!” Maybe I was the only person on
the planet who didn’t know about this high-tech toy. Anyway, Berkshire Museum’s
exhibit “Curiosity Incubator” featured these odd things. Many activities at the
museum are hands-on; it is highly encouraged. I donned the goggles. “Wow, cool,
look at this!” You see what wasn’t there 30-seconds ago. Magic?
The “Tell Me More” Exhibit brought the visitor for the first
time to the North Pole. “The Science of Color” offered a bright spectrum on how
colors change what you see. Of course, the museum has its standard collections
on display; my favorite being the pristine aquarium. A bravo to the staff –
whether employees or volunteers, all are there to make the visitor enjoy. It
wasn’t so many years ago when I went to the museum basically to kill time
before the next play, concert, etc. I have done a 180degree turn-around, as
this venue has become one of my favorite destination points. www.Berkshiremuseum.org
Mahaiwe Theatre, Great Barrington: The venue has seen many changes
in design, performing arts, economy, and its place in downtown Great
Barrington, all the while never closing its doors. Silent films and vaudeville
show names fit the marquee in the early days. Now, Mahaiwe presents concerts
(all genres), dance, theatre, comedy, lectures, and films (primarily Live in HD
from the Metropolitan Opera).
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| Steep Canyon Rangers |
Just this week, Steep Canyon Rangers took the stage with
their B&B&B – banjo, blues, and bluegrass, mixed it up with country
sounds, deep porch music, wildfire finger-pickin’ and humor. The Rangers, known
for their performances with actor/banjo player Steve Martin, have received
numerous national awards (Grammy) in their field for the past eight years.
Along with their instruments and vocal music came a huge supply of hillbilly
hand-clapping, and a surprise harmonica. www.mahaiwe.org
Joe’s Diner, Lee: It’s tiny with 1950’s décor and as many
chairs and stools that can possibly fit. The patrons dress “down.” Sometimes,
table sharing is encouraged. With no offense, it seems as if the waitresses
have worked at Joe’s since its opening; maybe they have, since it’s a
family-owned business. Get the best and least expensive breakfast in the
Berkshire. A plus for me was pudding…7 different puddings, in fact, for each
day of the week.
The District Kitchen & Bar, Pittsfield: Located in
downtown Pittsfield is a charming, rustic eating spot. The bar and dining
tables are surrounded by metal, tin polls, etc. The District is mid-scale, with
a small list of food choices, but just enough, in each category; i.e.
appetizer, entrée. If you weren’t specifically looking for it, you might pass
it by. The clientele are the locals of all ages. I usually skip dessert, but
the lemongrass & vanilla crème brulee was very special. http://district.kitchen/
Lee Premium Outlets, Lee: This is definitely not cultural, so I list
it last. But, when you’re staying a mere three miles from a major, inexpensive
shopping experience, of course, I had to go. I guess that I also just had to
buy that pair of boots.
Unfortunately, there’s only so much you can do in two days.
I recommend a longer stay for next year. What we missed were:
Barrington Stage, Pittsfield: 10 x 10, that’s 10 original
plays, each 10-minute long at a fast and furious pace https://barringtonstageco.org
Town Players, Pittsfield: 96 years of community theatre –
wow! Missed the production of “The Whale,” but more shows to come www.townplayers.org
WAM, Lenox – professional theatre of relatively small
unknown plays in Shakespeare & Company’s theatres www.wamtheatre.com
The Mount, Lenox – its annual retreat of training,
networking, and commiserating for writers at all levels of skills and interests www.edithwharton.org
Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge – the whimsical work of
Hanna-Barbera; i.e. Yogi Bear, the Jetsons, et al; some readers might not know
who I am referring to, but I remember them well www.nrm.org
For more information on the Berkshires visit http://berkshires.org
