Monthly Archives: July 2010

Interview: The emergence and rise of 22-year old actor Jay Armstrong Johnson

He’s the star of Pool Boy, and despite mixed reviews, Jay Armstrong Johnson’s star is on the rise. A twitching, pulsating bundle of energy, he is young, restless and not easily bruised. Along with the raves came some critical darts

Interview: The emergence and rise of 22-year old actor Jay Armstrong Johnson

He’s the star of Pool Boy, and despite mixed reviews, Jay Armstrong Johnson’s star is on the rise. A twitching, pulsating bundle of energy, he is young, restless and not easily bruised. Along with the raves came some critical darts

Preview: Audacious, dark and funny “Absurd Person Singular” at BSC Aug. 12-29

Imagine a comedy that is set on three consecutive Christmas Eves, in three different houses with three couples drinking and partying. Then set up the middle act with a woman trying to gas, hang, poison, electrocute and defenestrate herself, only

Preview: Audacious, dark and funny “Absurd Person Singular” at BSC Aug. 12-29

Imagine a comedy that is set on three consecutive Christmas Eves, in three different houses with three couples drinking and partying. Then set up the middle act with a woman trying to gas, hang, poison, electrocute and defenestrate herself, only

Interview: Kate Maguire, artistic director of Berkshire Theatre Festival

It’s part dream, part nightmare. Every morning when Kate Maguire begins her day she is obsessed with the question of how live theatre will survive, and how to shepherd the Berkshire Theatre Festival through the 21st Century. The artistic director

Interview: Kate Maguire, artistic director of Berkshire Theatre Festival

It’s part dream, part nightmare. Every morning when Kate Maguire begins her day she is obsessed with the question of how live theatre will survive, and how to shepherd the Berkshire Theatre Festival through the 21st Century. The artistic director

Berkshire Stage News about Lombardi, BTF Cabaret, Gala, plus “Out” at the Pillow

“Lombardi” Leaves Gifts Behind Lots of folks want to know how the pre-Broadway run of Lombardi went at the Mahaiwe. There were no formal reviews since it is a work in process, but it can be reported that while the

Berkshire Stage News about Lombardi, BTF Cabaret, Gala, plus “Out” at the Pillow

“Lombardi” Leaves Gifts Behind Lots of folks want to know how the pre-Broadway run of Lombardi went at the Mahaiwe. There were no formal reviews since it is a work in process, but it can be reported that while the

Athletic, artistic Trey McIntyre Project at Jacobs Pillow

“For me, as an outsider, the process is kind of like a fisherman in that really what I am doing is casting the line out and then seeing what comes back, and hopefully it is something nutritious, interesting, unusual, or

Athletic, artistic Trey McIntyre Project at Jacobs Pillow

“For me, as an outsider, the process is kind of like a fisherman in that really what I am doing is casting the line out and then seeing what comes back, and hopefully it is something nutritious, interesting, unusual, or

John Oliver brings his zany politics to the Colonial Theatre August 14

Just five years ago John Oliver was a virtual unknown doing gigs in Boston comedy clubs, and on the basis of a quickly made videotape was hired by The Daily Show, flown to California and put on the air, all

John Oliver brings his zany politics to the Colonial Theatre August 14

Just five years ago John Oliver was a virtual unknown doing gigs in Boston comedy clubs, and on the basis of a quickly made videotape was hired by The Daily Show, flown to California and put on the air, all

Jessica Provenz’ “Better than Chocolate” at Berkshire Playwright’s Lab Aug. 11

Great Barrington, Mass.– Berkshire Playwrights Lab presents a staged reading workshop production of Jessica Provenz’Better than Chocolate directed by Matthew Penn on Wednesday, August 11 at 8pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. Admission is free. For reservations, call 413.528.0100

Jessica Provenz’ “Better than Chocolate” at Berkshire Playwright’s Lab Aug. 11

Great Barrington, Mass.– Berkshire Playwrights Lab presents a staged reading workshop production of Jessica Provenz’Better than Chocolate directed by Matthew Penn on Wednesday, August 11 at 8pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. Admission is free. For reservations, call 413.528.0100

Yin Mei’s “City of Paper” an elaborate work at Jacob’s Pillow

City of Paper refers to the history of Luoyang, Yin Mei’s hometown, where paper was invented. An ancient literary and artistic center, Luoyang became another world during her childhood, when the Cultural Revolution made paper political, and the city was

Yin Mei’s “City of Paper” an elaborate work at Jacob’s Pillow

City of Paper refers to the history of Luoyang, Yin Mei’s hometown, where paper was invented. An ancient literary and artistic center, Luoyang became another world during her childhood, when the Cultural Revolution made paper political, and the city was

For Berkshire Theatre Festival, it’s “A Delicate Balance” to get Albee’s play onstage

Getting an Edward Albee play into rehearsal and on the stage is no easy task. Ask anyone in the business. So it was with a great sense of anticipation that the Berkshire Theatre Festival (BTF)  cast and crew of A Delicate

For Berkshire Theatre Festival, it’s “A Delicate Balance” to get Albee’s play onstage

Getting an Edward Albee play into rehearsal and on the stage is no easy task. Ask anyone in the business. So it was with a great sense of anticipation that the Berkshire Theatre Festival (BTF)  cast and crew of A Delicate

/ News

Mass. Cultural Council being debated, its future place in state government uncertain

(Updated 8/2/10:) Decision reached: The state Legislature has approved an economic development bill that preserves the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s role as an independent agency within state government. The bill also calls for establishing a commission to study how schools foster

/ News

Mass. Cultural Council being debated, its future place in state government uncertain

(Updated 8/2/10:) Decision reached: The state Legislature has approved an economic development bill that preserves the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s role as an independent agency within state government. The bill also calls for establishing a commission to study how schools foster

“Art” (the play), friends and agida at Barrington Stage Company

Art often challenges things, including friendships in this Yasmina Reza play of the same name. It’s about an all-white painting with three barely discernible diagonal white lines and three friends who are a little off kilter, too. The play is

“Art” (the play), friends and agida at Barrington Stage Company

Art often challenges things, including friendships in this Yasmina Reza play of the same name. It’s about an all-white painting with three barely discernible diagonal white lines and three friends who are a little off kilter, too. The play is

First Couple of Theatre breathes new life into “The Guardsman” at BTF

It has been a hundred years since Ferenc Molnár wrote The Guardsman, a delicious theatrical trifle, but mostly piffle nevertheless. Yes, it’s so old it almost creaks. But old chestnuts are often born again in the world of theatre, and

First Couple of Theatre breathes new life into “The Guardsman” at BTF

It has been a hundred years since Ferenc Molnár wrote The Guardsman, a delicious theatrical trifle, but mostly piffle nevertheless. Yes, it’s so old it almost creaks. But old chestnuts are often born again in the world of theatre, and

Tanglewood on Parade Week 4: July 30 – August 5:

To Tanglewood Week 5 (August 6-10) In one of the festival’s most beloved traditions, Tanglewood on Parade (August 3) salutes John Williams on the occasion of his 30th Tanglewood summer. Juanjo Mena, recently appointed Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic

Tanglewood on Parade Week 4: July 30 – August 5:

To Tanglewood Week 5 (August 6-10) In one of the festival’s most beloved traditions, Tanglewood on Parade (August 3) salutes John Williams on the occasion of his 30th Tanglewood summer. Juanjo Mena, recently appointed Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic

Explosive, episodic “After the Revolution” at Williamstown Theatre Festival

“In 1940′s Greenwich Village, you could throw a stone and hit a communist spy.” – After the Revolution When you think of a revolution, you probably envision George Washington leading his ragtag army against the redcoats, or Lenin and the

Explosive, episodic “After the Revolution” at Williamstown Theatre Festival

“In 1940′s Greenwich Village, you could throw a stone and hit a communist spy.” – After the Revolution When you think of a revolution, you probably envision George Washington leading his ragtag army against the redcoats, or Lenin and the

The spastic, obsessive-compulsive dance of Monica Bill Barnes

All choreographers try mightily to differentiate their dances from those of others. Monica Bill Barnes succeeds to an almost excessive degree. So much so that her descriptions easily use non-dance words like “twitchy” and “paroxsmal” to describe the look of

The spastic, obsessive-compulsive dance of Monica Bill Barnes

All choreographers try mightily to differentiate their dances from those of others. Monica Bill Barnes succeeds to an almost excessive degree. So much so that her descriptions easily use non-dance words like “twitchy” and “paroxsmal” to describe the look of

Preview: Leonard Nimoy’s “Secret Selves” at Mass MoCA

Leonard Nimoy’s Secret Selves Opens July 31. In what will long be remembered as the Year of Mass MoCA here’s another gem adding to the stunning schedule of summer events at the risk-taking museum. May they live long and prosper.

Preview: Leonard Nimoy’s “Secret Selves” at Mass MoCA

Leonard Nimoy’s Secret Selves Opens July 31. In what will long be remembered as the Year of Mass MoCA here’s another gem adding to the stunning schedule of summer events at the risk-taking museum. May they live long and prosper.

A fresh look “Through the Looking Glass” with Starlight Stage

Starlight’s 35th Anniversary Production Published six years after “Alice in Wonderland,” but set only six months later in Alice’s life, “Through the Looking Glass” is often combined with Carroll’s earlier book in stage and film adaptations into a single story.

A fresh look “Through the Looking Glass” with Starlight Stage

Starlight’s 35th Anniversary Production Published six years after “Alice in Wonderland,” but set only six months later in Alice’s life, “Through the Looking Glass” is often combined with Carroll’s earlier book in stage and film adaptations into a single story.

Frisky “Pool Boy” tries hard to please at Barrington Stage

Everyone wants the Pool Boy, it’s a classic set up. And the Pool Boy wants to please, pamper or placate everyone. From this premise, comes a rollicking musical that has the potential to be the hottest show since Spring Awakening.

Frisky “Pool Boy” tries hard to please at Barrington Stage

Everyone wants the Pool Boy, it’s a classic set up. And the Pool Boy wants to please, pamper or placate everyone. From this premise, comes a rollicking musical that has the potential to be the hottest show since Spring Awakening.