By Shera
Cohen
Just when you thought there was no such thing as free or
inexpensive things to do in the Berkshires, I prove you wrong.
PERFORMING ARTS
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| Lions Gate, Tanglewood, Photo by Stu Rosner |
Jacob’s Pillow,
Becket – during off hours, walk the grounds and view the visual art exhibit in Blake’s
Barn; during “on hours” the Inside/Out dance program is free
Tanglewood, Lenox
– the pristine grounds are there for the walking, weekend tours are free, and
oftentimes you can pop in on a weekday rehearsal. Saturday morning rehearsals
are quite reasonable. I hope nothing keeps me away from Ravel’s “Bolero” and
Orff’s “Carmina Burana.”
Shakespeare in the
Park, Pittsfield – in its second year, “R&J” kicked off the outdoor,
free play, ans this summer don’t miss “The Tempest”
VISUAL ARTS
Stonebarn Farm,
Lenox – this house & barn & ducks, directly across the street from
Tanglewood, doubles as an art gallery for the locals
Williams College
Museum of Art, Williamstown – close to Clark is the college’s year-round
museum that can certainly hold a candle to any museum of its size anywhere
Good Purpose Gallery,
Lee – young adults with special needs are given the opportunity to showcase and
sell their various genres of art
EVERYONE’S GOTTA’ EAT
Joe’s Diner, Lee
– straight out of the 1950s with breakfast & lunch menu of comfort foods at
comfortable prices, always crowded
Tanglewood, Lee –
bring your own noshes, full course, paper plates, or fine china, and make sure
you eat on the grounds
The Mount, Lenox
– iced tea and scones, lemonade and tiny cookies follow each of the Monday
lectures…so sophisticated
At home – nothing
wrong with eating at home (in our case, a timeshare condo)
WHERE THEY CALL HOME
Many homes of the rich and famous are open to the public. Most are free or charge small admission.
Many homes of the rich and famous are open to the public. Most are free or charge small admission.
Lenox includes:
The Mount, Frelinghuysen Morris House, Ventfort Hall
Stockbridge:
Chesterwood, Naumkeg, Bidwell House, Mission House
Also: Susan B.
Anthony House in Adams, Arrowhead in Pittsfield
I have yet to see all of these homes; i.e. William Cullen
Bryant Homestead, John Ashley House, and W.E.B. Du Bois National Historic Site.
ALSO ON MY
INEXPENSIVE “TO DO LIST”
Red Lion Inn Porch, Stockbridge – if it’s dusk or evening, relax in one of the many rocking chairs
Antiquing, Great
Barrington especially – miles of road, bordered on each side with antique
shops, stretching from Stockbridge to Sheffield to shop or “window shop”
Art Galleries,
throughout the Berkshires – items small and large, items under a $5 and over
10K.
Outlets, Lee –
this is a must, lots of shoes & clothes; if you know retail prices before
you go, you will find lots of bargains
The Mount, Lenox
– Wharton on Wednesdays are only $5 to spend an afternoon listening to actors’ readings
of Edith Wharton stories
Shrine of Divine
Mercy, Stockbridge –up the road from Red Lion Inn is a beautiful expanse of
land and large, historic, white church where tourists are welcome
PURCHASE TICKETS, BUT
LOOK HOW MUCH YOU’VE SAVED ALREADY
THEATRE IN THE SUMMER
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| S&C, Photo by Rob Jones |
Four primary theatre venues in the Berkshires offer more
than any theatre lover or novice could possibly see. However, I do quite a good
job in my efforts to attend the majority of the presentations at: Barrington
Stage Company (BSC), Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG), Shakespeare & Company
(S&C) and Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF).
Last summer’s array of categories included: premiers, old
chestnuts, Shakespeare, comedies, dramas, musicals, adaptations, and
experimentation. Some titles are familiar, some are new; the same for names of
playwrights. I often wonder how it must feel to be among the creative team,
deep in the process of choosing a season. The end results have been a consistent
balance, excellence, and many surprises.
BSC’s “Shining
City” shocked, although star Mark H. Dold’s talent was far from surprising.
Yet, what do you know – he was a master of comedy in “His Girl Friday”? In
addition, BSC’s annual musical, somehow amazingly, tops that of the prior year.
Since this is the case, the current season’s “Pirates of Penzance” might very
well top “Man of La Mancha.” Special kudos to BSC for numerous premiers,
including a musical. Schedule to see in 2016: “Peerless” and “American Son.”
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| BTG's "Bells", Photo by Michelle McGrady |
I hate to be repetitive. However, I could very well substitute
BTG’s 2015 summer successes on a par
with BSC; premiers, a shining musical (“Bells Are Ringing”), creative spins to
tried ‘n true (“Deathtrap”) and a new musical. To soon see: “Cat on a Hot Tin
Roof” and “Fiorello.”
WTF took a huge
risk a year ago with seven premiers! All of the accolades attributed to the
venues above apply to WTF as well. Yet, this theatre has the benefit of attracting
many movie, television, and Broadway stars to its stages; i.e. Marisa Tomei, Kate
Walsh, and Alfred Molina. On my calendar: “And No More Shall We Part.”
S&C is not
for Shakespeare lover only, that’s why the “& Company” in its title. Admittedly, the best of The Bard fills
my calendar space first. “The Comedy of Errors,” (saw it twice in a matter of a
few weeks) updated with 1950s Mafioso set, costumes, and nuances, was
shamelessly uproarious. If you don’t like Shakespeare or have never tried it,
please do! I won’t make a list for 2016, as I see every play there.
In addition to the foursome above, the performing arts
(particularly theatre) are also staged at Mahaiwe,
Colonial Theatre (part of BTG), Berkshire Fringe, The Mount, Ventfort Hall,
MASS MoCA, and surely many other museums and historic homes.
VENUE GIFT SHOPS
Sometimes, I find that shopping in gift stores can be as
enjoyable an experience as the play, concert, or museum. I am a glutton for
these tiny shops. My fetish are mugs.
Tanglewood Glass
House, Lenox – 2 huge shops (literally made of glass), situated on opposite
ends of the grounds, sell everything imaginable related to Tanglewood or music
Berkshire Botanical
Garden, Stockbridge – probably the smallest gift shop in the Berkshires,
also the quaintest with garden and non-garden brick-a-brack
Clark Art Institute,
Williamstown – for the educated artist/art lover or tourist who enjoyed their
museum visit are books, reprints, cards, and fine jewelry
Red Lion Inn,
Stockbridge – eclectic, charming, and jam-packed with wearable art, Berkshire
memorabilia, and the best insect-repellant I’ve ever purchased.
NOT YOUR
GRANDMOTHER’S MUSEUMS
Today’s museums aren’t what they used to be, and that’s a
good thing. Yes, there are “things” to look at. Each museum offers a new special
exhibit which runs all summer. Equally important, however, is that there are
numerous ways for all ages to participate.
Museum Freebies: music
concerts, cooking classes, family tours, book readings, dance, films, puppet
shows, guest artists, an array of kid activities.
Berkshire Museum,
Pittsfield – Little Cinema hosts indies, foreign, and small films. I could watch
the aquarium fish for hours. The upcoming “Finding Raven” exhibit looks
fascinating.
MASS MoCA, North
Adams – It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a strange (contemporary) exhibit (last
summer’s “It’s Super, Man”); it’s also BIG, everything there is BIG.
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| Photo Courtesy of Berkshire Visitors Bureau |
Clark Art Institute,
Williamstown – Clark’s new wing, obviously, offers more space for its
impressive collections. Last summer’s Van Gogh show was haunting. This summer
brings Splendor, Myth, and
Vision: Nudes from the Prado
Norman Rockwell
Museum, Stockbridge – NRW is my perfect example of re-appreciating (is that
a word) The Four Freedoms and the hundreds of Post Magazine covers. Rockwell and Realism in an Abstract World is the
museum’s upcoming exhibit.
ALWAYS WORTH THE
PRICE OF ADMISSION
Cranwell, Capitol
Steps, Lenox – 5 super comedians & pianist take a musical romp through
contemporary politics, an annual treat, and this presidential year is sure be
hilarious.
The Whit (Whitney
Center for the Arts), Pittsfield – a newly discovered (by me) venue, not fancy,
with a smorgasbord of music highlighting jazz
Berkshire Botanical
Garden, Stockbridge – art in nature through acres of landscaped beauty,
with a fun kids’ garden, and painters and canvases strewn about
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| Berkshire Comedy Festival, Mahaiwe |
Mahaiwe, Great
Barrington –a lovely, old, renovated multi-purpose relic bringing dance (Paul
Taylor Dancers) music, comedy, and theatre to the center of town: Viva Momix,
Aston Magna, and Kelli O’Hara
Colonial Theatre,
Pittsfield – see Mahaiwe, but in Pittsfield. Colonial is part of Berkshire
Theatre Group. Upcoming: “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Sevenars,
Worthington – this family of three generations of musicians keep going strong
as they bring their love of music to area audiences.
Jewish Film Festival,
Lenox – an annual event featuring contemporary stories and documentaries for
anyone with interest
Berkshire Choral
Festival, Great Barrington – couple the Springfield Symphony with hundreds
of singers from throughout the word, making wonderful music together
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| Jacob's Pillow |
Jacob’s Pillow,
Becket – two stages host the best of modern, classical, and ethnic dance from
throughout the world
Tanglewood – the
BSO plus a who’s who of classical musicians and vocalists in the pastoral
setting mountaintop; see above as Tanglewood falls into numerous wonderful
categories.
For more information on these and other attractions visit berkshires.org
