ON THE ROAD: The Mount, Lots of Talking in the Berkshires 2024

The Mount, Lenox, MA

www.edithwharton.org 

by Shera Cohen

Nearly every performing and visual arts venue in the Berkshires provides the opportunity tolearn about the particular genre’s history, techniques, and personal stories. For me, this was the “Summer of Talks”. I felt, and still do, that I had to spend most of my awake vacation hours watching the part of the art with physical movement: dance, music, theatre. I’ve learned that I can appreciate even more.

Summer Lecture Series

In its 30-years, the Mount (home of prolific author Edith Wharton) has hosted its Summer Lecture Series. On average, one author speaks on his/her book, twice each week. All lectures include Q&A.

With attendance bursting the proverbial seams of the original Barn venue, the series has moved to the grounds under a huge tent. 

Authors of fiction or nonfiction discuss the writing process, research, publishing, and other aspects of making the piece complete.

Oftentimes, the books’ focus is on historical figures. Upcoming are authors: Jonathan Eig, Deborah Cohen, Charlotte Gray, and Brenda Wineapple.

Masters Series

In its second year, author Andre Bernard, former VP of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, interviews well-known, much-published authors.

My latest “to do list” now includes reading any Lauren Groff novel. This prolific, young writer juggles writing  at least three books at a time. Groff’s most recent, “The Vaster Wilds,” has consistently received excellent reviews since published in 2023.

This series is an introduction to authors who are favorites of Bernard. I suspect that Groff’s works are as fascinating, colloquial, and unflinching as her personality. Without going into particulars, Groff was not afraid to step on toes in her not-so-subtle comments on the banning of books.

Next up in the series: Rosanne Cash’s “Composed,” Jonathan Alter’s “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life,” and Michael Pollan’s “This Is Your Mind on  Plants”.

Wharton Revisited Series

For over a century, authors, performers, and artists have been drawn to Edith Wharton’s writing. This latest series of talks explores recent adaptations on the page and for the stage.

The opening talk, titled “The Shadow of a Doubt,” discussed the long-lost, hidden away Wharton play of the same name, written in 1901 and discovered by two scholars in 2016. Director Peter Hinton-Davis and designer HAUI explained the concerns, complexities, and character development in mounting the world premiere at the Shaw Festival in Canada. The audience heard about every nuance and detail of behind-the-scenes work to make this Wharton-penned play into an ultimate production.

Future speakers are: Joan Ross Sorkin, Mariah Fredericks.

It certainly makes sense that Wharton’s home has become the venue for discussions on authors.

Preview: Great Barrington Public Theater, "Representation and How to Get It"

The Mount, Lenox, MA

www.greatbarringtonpublictheater.org

www.edithwharton.org

August 25, 26, 27, 2023

Special Event: 3 Performances Only

A play inspired by Julia Ward Howe 

Great Barrington Public Theater (GBPT) and The Mount collaborate on a new play that takes a personal look at Julia Ward Howe, the famous poet who wrote "Battle Hymn of the Republic".

Howe's legacy, however, was far more important than penning one poem. She was noted as charismatic and passionate in expressing her views one of the earliest civil rights activists.

This one-person play was written by Joyce Van Dyke, actor Elaine Vaan Hogue, and GBPT Associate Artistic Director Judy Braha.

The plot begins at early dawn and the setting is Boston, MA. The audience finds Howe rehearsing a lecture she’s about to give to the Boston Radical Club on political representation for women. She delivers a passionate, moving call-to-arms for that time. 

Howe's, however, was far more important than penning one poem. She was noted as charismatic and passionate in expressing her views one of the earliest civil rights activists.

Julia Ward, born in 1819 in New York City, seemed to have begun her role as advocate from a young age because of her own atypical upbringing. In spite of becoming the wife of the prominent Samuel Howe of Boston and giving birth to six children, it is stated that Julia felt bored and ineffective as a woman whose life was solely that of a homemaker.

Through her plays and poems, one can read that Julia and her husband vehemently disagreed about the role of women in politics. However, Samuel sought his wife to edit his antislavery paper, Commonwealth, which lead to her involvement in abolitionism. When she met soldiers in army camps in Washington, DC, she was inspired to write the poem "Battle-Hymn," printed in the Atlantic Monthly in 1852. The poem, then song, touched the feelings of the nation, becoming a proverbial "best seller". Unexpectedly, Julia was famous.

Yet, that was just the beginning of her career as writer, lecturer, editor, and powerful suffrage advocate for the next several decades until her death at age 90. Julia was not shy, spoke her mind, and in spite of her diminutive physical stature, preaching for the rights of women was foremost in her teaching wherever she traveled in the United States.

The creators of "Representation and How to Get It" say, “We want her words and this play to charge the audience with agency, hope, and a collective sense of the need to take action now."

Joyce Van Dyke’s new solo play, "Representation and How to Get It," was developed in collaboration with performer Elaine Vaan Hogue and director Judy Braha and produced in 2022 in New York and numerous historic New England venues. Van Dyke's other plays have been produced Off-Broadway at the Pan Asian Reper tory Theatre, and the Central Square Theater. Van Dyke is a past winner of the prestigious Gassner Award and Boston Globe’s “Top Ten” plays of 2001. 

Actor Elaine Vaan Hogue is also a director, teacher, and producer. She is a member of The Magdalena Project, an international cross-cultural and cross-generational network of women in contemporary theatre. She co-founded the Gypsy Mamas Artist Group, a laboratory sustaining adventurous creative exploration and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration of new work. Vaan Hogue has performed and/or directed throughout New England and is a Professor Emeritas at Boston University.    

In addition to being the director of this play, Judy Braha has been an actor, teacher, and artist for social justice for over four decades. Head of the MFA Directing Program at Boston University’s School of Theater, her credits include theaters and universities throughout New England. One of her goals is to raise consciousness around the power of the arts as activism. As a director, Braha's work often has concern for human rights at its center. 

Preview: The Mount, "Sculpture Now"

The Mount, Lenox, MA

www.edithwharton.org

June 1, 2023 - October 21, 2023

by Shera Cohen

"The Magician" photo by Ann Jon

I can't believe that I missed this whimsical sculpture piece of magician levitating his subject on
my recent trip to SculptureNow at The Mount. I can only guess that the art piece literally landed on the lawn near the end of the trail where a wedding was in prep. Only on that particular day, tourists were not permitted to walk further down the trail. Frankly, I cannot think of a more natural and lovely setting to begin a marriage. But I digress.

SculptureNow was founded in 1998 by a group of people involved in the arts in the Berkshires who became aware of a need to promote the experience and knowledge of sculpture through exhibitions and educational outreach, and to offer artists venues for showing their work in our community.

Ann Jon, director of SculptureNow, began her journey to promote works of sculpture of artists throughout the country. Jon's own talent is in the sculpting medium. What more picturesque site than The Mount, the former home of famous author Edith Wharton, in Lenox, MA? The exhibition has received tremendous reviews and has been seen by 60,000 visitors.

SculptureNow was founded in 1998 by a group of people involved in the arts in the Berkshires who became aware of a need to promote the experience and knowledge of sculpture through exhibitions and educational outreach, and to offer artists venues for showing their work in our community.

I recall meeting Ms. Jon during the first summer of SculptureNow. At the time, Jon initiated her plan with hope for a successful first summer. However, she was quite redescent about what the future would hold. She was extremely grateful to The Mount for seeing the value of her program. But evaluation of SculptureNow would be deemed one year at a time.

Last summer, I interviewed Jon as well as Susan Wissler, executive director of The Mount, on Sculpture Now's tenth anniversary. It was a treat to be invited on a private tour.

From June 1 through October 21, Sculpture Now's artists number 27; each presentrf large-scale art works using material such as: ceramic, steel, concrete, aluminum, wood, wire, fabric, glass, stoneware, and mesh. I won't pretend to know what tapioca rootwood flowers were, but they adorned the piece titled "Unbridled" by Deborah H. Carter; a large mannequin-like bride's body, yet minus a head.

Walking a circuitous loop around the landscape were works valued at $6,500 and up. Yes, all sculptures were for sale, but in the meantime, SculptureNow is an exquisite show of modern art. My own take on the art was sometimes quizzical, as if to ask, "What is that?" Other times, the art images had titles which helped me out: Everest (glass medium) by Harold Grinspoon, Celebration (steel) by Douglass Rice, and my favorite One Leaning on Another (bronze) by Joy Brown. I saw balls of black metal as an image of a mama bear with a much smaller identical series of balls on her back, holding on as if a baby. It seems odd to compare big, heavy brass to a soft mom and babe, but that was my take. Who's to say if I was right or wrong. In visual art, I believe that there are no absolutes.

On the Road: The Mount, “SculptureNow” Finds its Way Home

The Mount, Lenox, MA

www.sculpturenow.org

www.edithwharton.org

exhibit through October 19, 2022

Cecilia by Robin Tost

From a curtained bedroom window, looking out over the landscape of her home -- the pristine cut grass and shrubs, the square-shaped garden with fountain in the center, the little brook connecting one side of the dirt walkway to the other -- there is no doubt that author Edith Wharton found joy in what she viewed. Wharton, author of countless novels, short stories, poetry, and journals, titled her home "The Mount".

Photographs show that the large white mansion, horse carriage barn, and land looked just as it did 100+ years ago. The Mount has also been the home of SculptureNow for the past 10 years. I have no doubt that Mrs. Wharton would welcome the sculptors with their enormous-scale pieces of ingenuity, perhaps sometimes with a quizzical look. These 30 art structures, each developed by a different professional artist, have found their way to The Mount for the next four months.

SculptureNow is a high-end exhibit. After some years trying to find its way in the process of selecting the perfect location in the Berkshires, The Mount and SculptureNow became an ideal match.

To carefully situate the sculptures throughout the property, it likely took the knowledge of an architect, arborist, landscaper, and meteorologist. 

Earth Arch by Joe Chirchirillo

These 30 giant pieces of art had to be distanced from each other to consider visitor trailways, types of ground needed to construct on with heed certainly paid to the aesthetics. Per federal rules for historic buildings, such as The Mount, nothing on the property would change. Taking this mandate into consideration, just a few sculptures are placed nearby, but not on, the author's Pet Cemetery. Wharton probably loved her many dogs and buried each on a hill solely for her pets.

Why hire an arborist? So that the materials used in the creation of the sculpture would be conducive to the land, and for practical needs that the art would not sink into the ground.

Why need a meteorologist? So that materials which depended on light and movement of wind were exactly where they should be in order to showcase the art.

Ann Jon, Director of SculptureNow since the endeavor began is justifiably proud of her work, the vetting process, site specific placement of the art, and partnership with the staff at The Mount.

SculptureNow is no ordinary art show. An important part is the make up the Vetting Committee. With hundreds of slides and descriptions sent from throughout the U.S., the selection process is one that is taken extremely seriously. Very few artists are included a second time, unless invited; this way more sculptors are able to be highlighted. Board members from both The Mount and SculptureNow ultimately make the selections.

This year's selected subjects included the usual and expected materials to create these special forms of visual art: i.e. steel, pigment, granite, stone, fabric, wood, bamboo, bronze, and wire. Oftentimes, material has been recycled from other art. The components of some structures were surprising: pine needles, deer & cow bones, hypertufa (I had to look this up), and fire, air, water, and prayers.

One aspect differing from those in the past are the small lawn signs with the artist's name and title of piece. As in most shows of this ilk, the cost is stated. Not now. This was a purposeful omission so that visitors would not necessarily see dollar signs first rather than the art itself. The prices are not secret, as they are listed in the SculptureNow map.

Aside from the creativity of building the structures, comes the title. Some are named logically, exactly what they look like; Fainting Couch by artist Sarah Peters, reflects something akin to Cleopatria's lounge, Hugh Lassen's Rhino was hard to miss because of its large chunk of granite chiseled into the shape of the animal. Tomer Ben-Ga's A-Frame Bench was exactly that, yet not for visitor seating.

No singular theme carried through the exhibit; just as each artist is unique, so are their styles
and creations. Our tour guide, SculptureNow Director Ann Jon, has triple duty as curator of the show, installation coordinator, and tour guide. Ours was a special treat, as Ms. Jon zipped us along in a golf for the entire route of 30 enormous structures, describing the piece and artist of each.

One Family by Anthony Garner

It is obvious that Jon's heart is in The Mount's exhibit. I would guess that one of her paramount missions is to show off the work of the 30 expert visual artists to the public. Actually, Jon's has another task, as she is a professional sculptor herself. Jon's work, called Bios44 was a mix of acrylic and mixed media with three sections under domes to represent the past, present, and future. I put a lot of thought into Bios44, although I admit that I didn't quite "get" the symbols, nor did I "get" Michael Cochran's Dublin or Binney Meigs' Ocean Swimmer, and many more. That didn't matter. I studied the domes of Jon's composition and the detail in the others' magical and sometimes mammoth visual art. That was all that I wanted to take in, and that certainly was enough.

The beauty of SculptureNow, with its individual parts and as a whole, underscores work of exemplary sculptors each with different formats and messages to be appreciated by The Mount visitors. SculptureNow and The Mount make for a fine duo. No doubt that Edith Wharton is happy.

PREVIEW: The Mount, "Concerts in the Dell"

The Mount, Lenox, MA

www.edithwharton.org 

Six consecutive Thursdays

July 14 - August 18, 2022

6-8 pm

Join the musicians at The Mount for an exciting lineup of live music—ranging from globally-inspired jazz to indie blues—in a beautiful outdoor setting at the Dell, below the Mount's Stable. Concerts are held in an open-sided tent, rain or shine. Picnics are welcome, and BYOB (blankets and lawn chairs). Tickets can be purchased online or on-site prior to each event; minimum donation of $10 per person of which all proceeds will be directed to Cash for Refugees to support Ukrainian relief efforts.

Wanda Houston Band

On July 14th, the Wanda Houston Band kicks-off the series. This dynamic quartet specializes in the music of the ’30s through ’70s with a blend of rhythm, blues, jazz, and soul.

Muddy Ruckus

Guitarist Ryan Flaherty and drummer Erika Stahl play railroad indie punk

blues on July 21st. The duo blends rootsy guitar and edgy percussion on a suitcase drum

kit and are known for their full rock-band sound.

Mukana

Mukana is an eclectic gathering of world-class musicians hailing from Chile,

Haiti, Zimbabwe, Brazil, and the US. Fusing traditional songs and rhythms

with jazz and sublime arrangements, Mukana creates music that is a joyful celebration of our global community. The date is June 18th.

Heard World Jazz

Heard is a collective of musicians who bring their skills and passion for

world music, jazz, and improvising together on August 4th to create irresistible grooves

set in a unique sonic tapestry. Together for a decade, their vibrant sound

incorporates influences from West Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean.

Misty Blues

On August 11th Misty Blues pays homage to the older blues popularized by the bold and

brassy women of its time, paying respect to classic male artists of the ’20s,

’30s, and ’40s. They also perform classic rock and folk tunes infused with a

healthy dose of the blues.

Pamela Meas Jazz Project

Closing out the summer series is the Pamela Means Jazz Project appearing on August 18th singing and playing jazz originals, contemporary jazzy covers, and Great American Songbook jazz standards from the ‘30s-’50s.

PREVIEW: The Mount, SculptureNow: Meet the Artists

The Mount, Lenox, MA

www.sculpturenow.org

www.edithwharton.org

June 12, 2022

Sculpture of Talisman 18
by artist Don Porcaro
photo by David Ricci

On Sunday, June 12, 2-5pm, SculptureNow will host a special event, Meet the Artists. The sculptors of the 2022 exhibition will be in person at The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home in Lenox to meet the public and talk about the inspiration and process of their large-scale sculptures.

SculptureNow presents a new, juried exhibition of outdoor sculptures by 30 regionally, nationally and internationally recognized artists. Sited on the beautiful grounds of The Mount, this is a unique interaction of art and nature.

This year’s artists are Craig Anderson, Tomer Ben-Gal, William Bennett, Micajah Bienvenu, Joseph Chirchirillo, Michael Cochran, Peter Dellert, Christopher Froehlich, Anthony Garner, Linda Hoffman, Ann Jon, Fitzhugh Karol, Hugh Lassen, Madeleine Lord, Phil Marshall, Thomas Matsuda, Binney Meigs, Martina Angela Müller, Miller Opie, Gary Orlinsky, Bob Pavlik, Sarah Peters, Don Porcaro, Tim Prentice, David Skora, Brendan Stecchini, Mary Taylor, Michael Thomas, Robin Tost, and Lee Williams.

This event is free and open to the public, , at The Mount, 2 Plunkett Street, Lenox MA. 

Registration is advised at www.sculpturenow.org 413-358-3884 or www.edithwharton.org 413-551-5111.

PREVIEW: The Mount Lectures, Lenox, MA

www.edithwharton.org

How apropos for the Mount (the home of Edith Wharton) to be the center of author lectures in the Berkshires. On any given week, two or three talks take place in the large Stables. The main series presents writers of fiction or non-fiction giving the always full-house a perspective on his/her book. Talks have taken place each Monday at 4pm.

In addition to the series, the Mount hosts educators, writers, scientists, architects, and others, each lecturing about his/her subject matter. Martin Puchner, a Harvard professor with a wonderful sense of humor, spoke about his book, “The Written World: The Power or Stories to Shape People, History, Civilization”.

The Mount talks are, by no means, geared to the learned scholar. Each is educational but not didactic, personal, and fun.

Talking in the Berkshires 2018

by Shera Cohen

Certainly, the number of performing art venues are plentiful in the Berkshires. Having spent two weeks there in July, I was fortunate to see theatre, music, and dance presentations nearly round-the-clock. However, filling many afternoons (and a few evenings) was time well spent participating in numerous talks on subjects known and unknown to me.

Ventfort Hall Lectures, Lenox, MA

Ventfort Hall Tea & Talks brings authors, educators, and lectures to speak on a wide range of subjects. The parlor room is always packed with patrons. The subjects are fascinating or fun or both. Hour-long talks are followed by Q&A. Last week’s guest was Paul Freedman discussing “10 Restaurants that Changed America”. The “tea” portion of the series’ name is an elegant English-style tea settling located in the Ventfort dining room. Tiers of scones, cucumber sandwiches, cookies, and (of course) special teas are the array. The event offers a lovely elegance in the Berkshires. www.gildedage.org

Tanglewood Rehearsals, Lenox, MA

Every Saturday morning, professional staff of Tanglewood inform the audience about aspects of the pieces to be rehearsed that day. Usually, talks focus on the composer, background of the music to be heard, and intricacies of composition; i.e. specific sections of the orchestra. These talks are a free bonus for concert goers seated in the tent or on the lawn. www.bso.org/tanglewood

Jacob’s Pillow Pre-performance Lectures, Becket, MA

A large barn is situated equidistant between the two main Pillow theatres. Each summer marks the premiere of a new art exhibit focusing on dance – past or present. Videos often accompany the display. Before each performance, a large group of audience members gather in the barn to hear the half-hour “course” on the dance troupe and its history, choreographers, and nuances of the upcoming performance. www.jacobspillow.org

Theatre Talk-backs, numerous locations

Oftentimes following a play or musical, the director and most members of the cast will take chairs onstage. The director leads the discussion, taking questions from those audience members who choose to stay in the theatre. The talk-backs last approximately 15-minutes, or if the audience is responsive. This was the case at the end of “A Doll’s House, Part 2” at Barrington Stage Company. The Q & A are quite profound. Suggest checking the websites for all of the theatres in the Berkshires or starting HERE

The Mount Lectures, Lenox, MA

How apropos for the Mount (the home of Edith Wharton) to be the center of author lectures in the Berkshires. On any given week, two or three talks take place in the large Stables. The main series presents writers of fiction or non-fiction giving the always full-house a perspective on his/her book. Talks have taken place each Monday at 4pm. Due to the series’ popularity, the talk is repeated on Tuesday at 11am. One writer was Jacqueline Jones discussing the riveting story of “Goddess of Anarchy, Lucy Parsons”.

In addition to the series, the Mount hosts educators, writers, scientists, architects, and others, each lecturing about his/her subject matter. Martin Puchner, a Harvard professor with a wonderful sense of humor, spoke about his book, “The Written World: The Power or Stories to Shape People, History, Civilization”.

The Mount talks are, by no means, geared to the learned scholar. Each is educational but not didactic, personal, and fun. www.edithwharton.org

Museum Tours, numerous locations

Even though you may have visited the Norman Rockwell Museum (Keepers of the Flame: Parrish, Wyeth, Rockwell and the Narrative Tradition), Chesterwood (Contemporary Sculpture Exhibit), Clark Art Institute (Women artists in Paris 1850-1900) or other docent tours, if there is time to go again, do so. No two visits are ever alike. First, exhibits change (usually biannually) or others are added. Needless to say, there are new subjects to learn about. Second and even if the exhibit is the same, the docent speaking can make the world of difference. All docents are extensively trained, yet each may choose to focus on one aspect over another. Note, that most of these wonderful people are volunteers. Suggest visiting information on the many museums located in the Berkshires by going to their individual websites or www.berkshires.org

PREVIEW: The Mount, Lenox, MA

www.edithwharton.org

Roberta Silman In Conversation with Matt Tannenbaum

Join author Roberta Silman and Matt Tannenbaum, the owner of The Bookstore, as they discuss Roberta’s new novel Secrets and Shadows on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 2pm.

Russian and Soviet Film Music: A Tuneful Survey

In a lecture illustrated with film clips, Professor Timothy Sergay of SUNY Albany will present an overview of Russian and Soviet film music. Presented by Close Encounters with Music on Sunday April 22, 2018 at 3:00pm.

In Conversation with Julia Pierpont & Caitlin McKenna

New York Times bestselling author Julia Pierpont and Editor Caitlin McKenna will discuss Julia’s latest work The Little Book of Feminist Saints. This event is part of ArtWeek on Thursday May 3, 2018 at 6:00 pm

Summer 2017 at the Mount

Lenox, MA

www.edithwharton.org

by Shera Cohen

It was approximately 25 years ago when the “divorce” between The Mount and Shakespeare & Company took place. At the time, I thought it was the beginning of the end for both the historic site of Edith Wharton’s home and this wonderful theatre company. Admittedly, because theatre was/is my #1 destination point in the Berkshires, I continued to attend S&Co. plays. Yet, I did not return to the Mount for several years. There really wasn’t much to do.

Happily, the Mount is back, and near the top, on my “Berkshire To Do List” and for good reason – for many good reasons. A different activity takes place on nearly every day of the week: Monday’s Summer Lecture Series, Tuesday’s repeat of the same, Wharton on Wednesdays, and Music After Hours on Friday and Saturday.

My favorite program is the Summer Lecture Series. Every Monday at 4pm, authors speak about their books; oftentimes biographies or histories. For one hour in the Wharton Stables, the writer offers backstories of his/her research and writing process. When I first attended, I might have been one of a few dozen in the audience. What a shame that more didn’t experience this educational fun. Not that I credit myself, but I will take a small bow for writing several pieces on the series, trying to get the word out. Each year the audience grew, then doubled, then filled to SRO, to the point that had I not ordered my tickets on the first date of sales, I missed out. The Mount had a success on their hands. What a nice problem to have. The solution, initiated last year, was a repeat lecture on Tuesdays at 11am. This was a wise decision.

Wharton on Wednesday offers a step back to the Gilded Age on the veranda of the Wharton home. For one hour, starting at 5pm, audience members listen to readings of Wharton short stories given by area actors. There’s wine, lemonade, and munchies; small round tables and wooden seats; and the view of the Wharton Estate, especially the gardens. The talks are $10, no reservation needed.

Early evenings on the weekend bring the sounds of local musicians for the Mount’s Jazz Series. This, too, takes place on the large porch, where the gorgeous landscape at dusk augments the ambiance. The series is free.

S&Co. has returned to its original home with productions of some of the Bard’s most famous plays, set on the pristine manicured lawn at the Mount. Just as 30+ years ago, when the woods doubled as S&Co.’s main-stage, here the stories come alive once more. This season’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is probably the most befitting Shakespeare play for this setting. The production is offered on numerous dates throughout the summer, usually at 6pm or 11am.

What can I do if I just want to walk around, you say? Put on your walking shoes or sneakers for the Mount House Tours, Gardens & Landscape Tours, SculptureNow Art Walks, and Ghost Tour. The latter features an exhibition of 30 giant sculptures throughout the site, each created by a professional artist. This curated display can be appreciated on a self-tour or, on occasion, guided by one of the sculptors.

From time to time, writers at any stage (primarily amateurs) congregate to discuss their work, to become inspired, and to keep writing. Poetry readings, additional author lectures, story sharing, and literary round-tables fill the summer calendar. I would like to think that Edith Wharton is aware of so much literature being created at what was once her home.

The Mount

Remembering the fallow years, looking at the turn around

by Shera Cohen

by Dashielle

Not so long ago, after the Shakespeare & Company theatre troupe left their performance venues at The Mount in Lenox, the home of author Edith Wharton, along with the grounds, looked empty, and to be honest, rather dingy and an unlikely site for what has become a destination point in the Berkshires -- a magnet for museum-goers and audiences of all backgrounds, interests, and ages. I never would have guessed such a 180-degree turn-around.

My favorite program is the “Monday Lecture Series”. Again, I recall attending when 30 or so others came to The Stables Theatre to hear author book discussions, readings, and book signings. The series grew. Due to its immense popularity, many talks are now sold out even before the Mount’s brochure is printed. Topics often have a historic slant; last week’s author introduced her book about women spies during the Civil War. Speaker Karen Abbott offered one of the most dynamic and intelligent talks that I have heard to date.

A close second favorite is “Wharton on Wednesdays,” outdoors on the veranda. With great emphasis on language, particularly that of the early 1900’s, professional actors offer readings of Wharton short stories as guests sip wine (or whatever). This is one of the Berkshires’ most elegant “events,” yet attire is strictly casual.

Fridays and Saturdays, beginning at 5pm, musicians use this same terrace for “Music After Hours.” In fact, each day of the week offers some form of cultural activity. Gone are the days of the empty Mount.

by Kevin Sprague

While at the Mount, we enjoyed viewing (sometimes trying to understand) giant art pieces placed throughout the grounds’ 50 acres under the title “SculptureNow”. For those who have seen this exhibit in the past, this year brings a new pool of sculpture and artists -- 28 in all, made from fabric, metals, wood, fiberglass, and/or other materials. Each is whimsical, dramatic, odd, curious, and/or colorful.

Of course, tours are a must-see, which include those of the house and backstairs (check the Ghost Tours) and the exquisite four-sided garden.

Although I have visited the Mount for 20 years, even I was unaware of its storytelling series that takes place with a storytelling workshop in October.

by Gallery Administrator

I end with another very important 180-degree turn -- Shakespeare & Company once again mounts theatre at The Mount. For the entire summer, “Hamlet” (often considered Shakespeare’s best play) takes the outdoor stage in a “Bare Bard” (meaning cut version) production, with actors performing in multiple roles, and always extremely accessible to any audience member.

There’s more to choose from: poetry readings, food adventures, film, and Friday Conversations En Francais. If only, I could remember anything learned in my three years of high school French, I might join in. Alas, I will stick with English language, albeit Elizabethan.

For information on The Mount check www.edithwharton.org.

A Day in Lenox. . .

. . .as A Theatre Novice Tackles a Shakespeare duo of Berkshire treats: Shakespeare & Company at the Mount

by Janice Webb

It was FABULOUS! My friend Pam and I had such a delightful day.

Does a torrential rainstorm stop the outdoor production of Shakespeare's"Hamlet"? Never.

Photo by David Dash

While interrupting Ophelia's speech, a short time afterward, the play went on. Somehow, the affect of nature made this theatre experience even more magical. Everyone (audience and actors) ran for cover in the Stables at the top of the field at the Mount. The actors took that opportunity, soaking wet, to introduce themselves; i.e. where they were from, what they had done, etc. Very intimate, very special, everyone dripping wet.

Pam and I arrived at the Mount about 10am, viewed the new and massive sculpture exhibit disbursed throughout the grounds, enjoyed the play, took the garden tour, had lunch with champagne on the Mount porch, did the house tour, had coffee and dessert and left about 5:30pm with a stop at the Outlets. A very special day.

So, my review of "Hamlet" from a novice's point of view. I'm telling the ending, a "no, no" in reviews, but I figure, it's "Hamlet," it's expected.

As I watched the body count pile up on the "Hamlet" stage, I thought back to this morning when I asked my son, the recent college graduate,  "What's the play about? " He said, I think someone dies and there is a skull speech. Oh boy, he got that right. 

Photo by Elizabeth Aspenlieder

Shakespeare is not something I quote often, but it a good deal came back to me with familiarity. The "To be or not to be" speech, the "Alas, Poor Yorick" skull speech, and the " What a piece of work is man"  speech that I always loved because the musical "Hair" put it to song. But, this was more than familiar words, this was alive, entertaining, intriguing. To see the play was worlds better than reading the play in Freshman English class. Shakespeare & Company actors revved up the story with energy and excitement, brought to life by very talented actors. These thespians' passion for the play was matched by their ability to make it understandable and enjoyable. The expressions, gestures, interaction made a dead language alive again. The actors were the catalyst changing something from black and white text to Technicolor reality.

Condensing the play to 90 minutes instead of four hours makes the experience even better. The characters are developed and defined early, the story line easier to follow. Some of the actors take on two or three roles, and are amazingly able to infuse each character with individuality. Luke Reed is magnificent as the lead, and Greg Boover a joy to watch as both Polonius and Horatio. 

The rolling hills and glens were backdrops of beauty, lending to the sparse stage. The costumes stood out rich and magnificent in the simple setting. Thunder rolled ominously through the open-aired theatre each time the King Ghost appeared, but this was not a sound effect, this was real. The timing was perfect, but the result was a downpour onto the actors holding true to character. The production was actually magnificent to watch, that is, until lighting appeared.

I wish everyone would see Shakespeare this vibrant and this alive so that they could truly appreciate the work.

Shakespeare & Company, Lenox, MA www.shakespeare.org

The Mount, Lenox, MA www.edithwharton.org

SculptureNow

Art on the lay of the land at The Mount

www.sculpturenow.org

through October 31, 2013

by Shera Cohen

If you have been to Edith Wharton’s The Mount in Lenox, the beauty and history of what was once this famous writer’s home is always worth another visit. I have had wonderful opportunities of listening to the Authors’ Lecture Series, participating in Wharton Readings on the Terrace, watching Wharton Salon plays, and journeying through the flower garden.

A special reason for a return to this stately house and its grounds is SculptureNow. While the creative and elaborative project is in its sixteenth year, for the first time, it “now” expands the 40 acres of The Mount’s estate. These pieces of contemporary outdoor art are huge and heavy – up to 60,000 pounds.

In the meantime – through October 31 – this art is for all to experience on the wide open, seemingly manicured lawn of The Mount. Twenty-four professional sculptors, many of national renown, were selected for this juried show. The material used to create their works include stone, steel, clothe, soil, glass, granite, rope, wood, and/or industrial waste products.

Last week, Ann Jon, SculptureNow’s Executive Director and a sculptor whose art is also in the show, gave my friends and me a sculpture-by-sculptor tour. She explained that not only are the types of art, subject matter, materials, and shape considered when executing a sculpture show, also and literally, the lay of the land. Some designs fit nooks and crannies on the acreage; others naturally fall into valleys or on hills, while others lay perfectly on slopes. Certain colors and textures show off in woodsy areas, while bronze structures seem to naturally lie on the pristine green grass. Setting the theme, called Confluence, is Jon’s job.

Names like George Rickey, Jonathan Prince, Richard Erdman, and Tim Prentice are the who’s who in the world of sculpture, each with art in the exhibit. The talents of 20 other crafters, one-third from Berkshire County, along with art students from Pittsfield High School (who created one exquisite triangular piece of drawings on metal, which was also the very first art sold), make the show complete.

We walked nearly the entire grounds of The Mount, finding sculpture easy for the viewing and others a bit hidden. My favorites were “Edith Wharton Takes a Walk,” made of metal, painted white, in the shape of a women in full dress of the early 1900’s whose shape was identical from all angles; and “The Writing Hut,” seemly simple, made of brown wood nailed together to look like a large box, inside a steel desk inviting writers (perhaps me) to enter. I did.

Another work of art was titled “Erratic.” Not my favorite, although on the list of one of my friends’ best choices, this big stone and, undoubtedly, heavy cavernous creation with a slight opening permitted her to enter, albeit sideways and dipping her head until in the center. Not for the claustrophobic.

Some sculptures are easily identifiable such as a giant steel paperclip. Others are a bit more mysterious. And most leave interpretation to the viewer. Many are stable, yet some have movable parts when pushed or prodded by the wind.

Jon calls the exhibit at The Mount, “an amazing green gallery.” Yet, there were other factors to weigh besides beauty when choosing the sculpture and designing the configuration at The Mount. The judges asked questions as they made the selections: was the piece creative, how well was it built, will it withstand four months in all kinds of weather, and was it safe? The last factor was particularly important because sculpture might have sharp points or jutting edges, for example.

The exhibit is free with admission to The Mount. Guided tours are offered on August 18, September 22, and October 20. SculptureNow is a non-profit agency, working in collaboration with The Mount, with the assistance of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. For information contact annjon@bcn.net or www.sculpturenow.org.