Collaborations in the Berkshires: Shera's Berkshire Tidbits

by Shera Cohen

THIS IS THE THIRD PART OF A SERIES ON SUMMER IN THE BERKSHIRES 2021. 

THE FIRST PART CAN BE READ HERE: "WHERE GENRES & GEOGRAPHY MIX"

As much as theatre is my first love in the arts, I believe that the touch of the leaves of the Lamb’s Ear plant is mesmerizing. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s “ears” grow throughout its many acres. www.berkshirebotanical.org
I doubt if most know the story of Mum Bett, aka Elizabeth Freeman, the Black servant of the
Sedgwick family. She was buried in the midst of the circular family plot of the entire clan. She was certainly among her peers at the Stockbridge Cemetery. The year was 1829. www.nrm.org/2013/10/stockbridge_cemetery_tour/

Unicorn Theatre, BTG

Berkshire Theatre Group has morphed over the decades to become better, bigger, and
brilliant. Starting with one white building just off the main road in Stockbridge, grew to an additional barn-like theatre called the Unicorn. Plays are performed simultaneously, so any patron has his/her choice. As if there wasn’t enough for staff, crew, and actors to accomplish, but the powers that be decided to collaborate with the Colonial in downtown Pittsfield. As I understand it, once a flourishing theatre venue was eventually abandoned to become an auto-repair store. Decades later, along came Berkshire Theatre, added the word “Group” to its marquee and an art lovers’ dream came to be. Once was one, are now three. www.berkshiretheatregroup.org

Ventfort Hall Mansion, other than the lush hotels in the Berkshires, Ventfort offers a delightful step into old London at its weekly tea parties, complete with scones and cucumber sandwiches. https://gildedage.org

Photo courtesy andrewdevries.com

Great Barrington Theatre is the newest art venue among the many. In fact, I received their press release a few days ago. Just when you think there might even be too much to do, there’s one more place to put on your calendar. Many of the “regular Equity actors” who frequent the Berkshires will be there, so here’s another chance to see fine performances. I look forward to going. www.greatbarringtonpublictheater.org

One can just walk in to Sculptor Andrew DeVries’ studio in downtown Lenox. but call first for
his hours. DeVries’ works seem to sprout up like dandelions throughout Stockbridge and other towns. All you need to do is turn your head left or right to see his exquisite, accessible, yet unusual pieces. As for Mr. DeVries, in many ways he is not unlike his work; extremely talented, overly friendly, with a contagious laugh to be heard throughout the Berkshires. https://andrewdevries.com/

THE ARTS BY GENRES

Theatre: Shakespeare & Company, Berkshire Theatre Group, Barrington Stage, Williamstown Theatre, Chester  Theatre, Great Barrington Theatre

Comedy: Mahaiwe, Berkshire Theatre Group, Whitney Center

Famous Homes: Ashley House, Mission House, Bidwell, Crane Museum, Susan B. Anthony, Arrowhead, Naumkeag, Chesterwood, The Mount, Ventfort Hall, Norman Rockwell

Sculpture: The marriage of The Mount and Sculpture Now has stood the test of several years,   Chesterwood, Turn Park, Norman Rockwell Museum

Dance: Jacob’s Pillow, Mahaiwe

Music: Tanglewood, Mahaiwe, Guthrie Center, Closes Encounters with Music, Aston Magna, Berkshire Opera

Museums: Clark Institute, Williams College, Mass MoCa, Berkshire Museum

THIS ARTICLE ON SUMMER IN THE BERKSHIRES CONTINUES AS WE EXPLORE "MAKE YOUR SUMMER JOURNEY EASIER, VISIT BERKSHIRE ARTS TOWN BY TOWN"