Roundup July 29, 2010
“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 first few performances were lightly attended, the word of mouth spread quickly and the last couple of nights there was a mob scene at the box office. I am not exaggerating, it was wild. Haven’t seen anything like it in the Berkshires before. I found the show a wonderful evening’s entertainment, and I learned a lot, too. One colleague said it was more of a documentary than a play, and I guess I like documentaries. Got a little misty eyed towards the end too. Here’s hoping that Lombardi makes the conversion from a proscenium production to “in-the-round” for the Circle in the Square format goes well.
Presenting the check. iBerkshires photo.
As they packed up for New York, Lombardi producers Tony Ponturo and Fran Kirmser today presented a donation of $6,000 to Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation to fund much-needed new equipment for the Weight Room and Music Lab at Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington. They also made a donation of $1,000 to the Berkshire Youth Football Association, which sponsors 26 teams and over 700 players from 6 to 14 years old. The donations reflect a portion of the box office proceeds. Ponturo wrapped it up nicely: “We come away from this experience encouraged, smarter, and excited.” You can read the full story by Nichole Dupont in iBerkshires.
“Out” and About events gaining in popularity – Trocks at the Pillow
Meanwhile, the trend towards welcoming the Berkshire’s LGBT community with special events continues with additional “Out” nights at Barrington Stage‘s ART July 29, and Absurd Person Singular on August 19.
To these, you can add a special event at Jacob’s Pillow early in August.
Jacob’s Pillow has announced “A Weekend OUT at the Pillow,” August 13-15. The weekend will provide LGBTQ families, individuals, and couples the opportunity to take advantage of all the Pillow has to offer, including a multitude of free and ticketed events, while spending time with old and new acquaintances.
In the theatres, audiences have the opportunity to see Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion. In addition to these ticketed performances, the Pillow will host several free events during “A Weekend OUT at the Pillow.”
The Pillow will also host a free Artist Mixer at the Pillow Pub on Friday, August 13, where members of the community are welcome to stay after the performances and chat with the performers. “A Weekend OUT at the Pillow” will also feature a special historic tour of Jacob’s Pillow on Sunday, August 15 at noon, given by Jacob’s Pillow Director of Preservation, Norton Owen, and focusing on Pillow founder Ted Shawn and his Men Dancers.
Box Office: 413.243.0745. For complete schedule, visit jacobspillow.org.
BTF to open Story Time Cabaret starting August 6
The Berkshire Theatre Festival has some after-the-show fun planned for four Fridays on August 6. 13. 20, 27. These sessions will feature a rotating group of hosts and a series of special guests to delight guests with stories, comedy, interviews, cabaret performances, and whatever happens to tickle their fancy that week.
The first Story Time Cabaret will be Babes in Arms themed with spoofed songs of the show and hosted by Berkshire thesp Frank LaFrazia and E. Gray Simons III, director of Babes in Arms. There will be a special interview with Trustee Maureen Stanton “The Countess”, a regular fan of this site and the go-to person for all information theatrical.
Maureen Stanton aka "The Countess" and the Babes in Arms cast.
The House Band is Carlton Maaia, who also serves as the Musical Director for Babes in Arms. Want more? Well there will also be performances from various acting apprentices and a weekly Top Ten from Tyler, box office associate and Friday Series producer. Tickets to Story Time Cabaret are only $10. Contact the BTF Box Office at 413-298-5576 or visit www.berkshiretheatre.org for more information. Single tickets for all Main Stage and Unicorn productions are on sale as well. Contact the Box Office for more details.
The BTF Gala
The Berkshire Theatre Festival gala takes place Sunday, August 1 at The Mount. It’s an evening to salute State Rep Smitty Pignatelli, make a toast to Carter White and honor Bobbi Hallig. And it all supports the BTF’s Education Program. Cocktails, Dinner, Live and Silent Auctions. For more information on this Midsummer Celebration, please call (413) 298-5536 ext. 21 or email ariel@berkshiretheatre.org
The Birthday Boy Reading
A reading of the play, The Birthday Boy by Chris Newbound is the next offering in the Fridays at 3 series at BTF. Directed by Kristen Pilgrim it will take place on July 30 at 2 p.m. at the Main Stage and features actors James Barry as Matt and Tara Franklin as Melora with Stage Directions read by Brittany Jo Sowards. Audiences have loved the intimacy and passion of these discussions and readings which continue to August 20.
“Pool Boy” Defies critics, continues to sell out
Jay Armstrong Johnson who plays Nick, the Pool Boy at an interview. Larry Murray photo.
The new musical “PoolBoy” continues to play to full houses at Barrington Stage 2, proving that if the audiences enjoy something, the critics can’t keep them away. Barrington Stage Company took a chance opening the fledgeling show to review, and received a couple of good reviews, some mixed ones, and several thumbs down. The creators have continued to tinker with the show, and recently Niko Tsakalakos sent several of the critics his thanks for their constructive criticism. Classy guy.
Pittsfield’s 1/2 Tix Booth Moving
The Pittsfield ½ TIX Booth will move from the current location at thePittsfield Visitor’s Center, 179 South Street, to Barrington Stage Company’s Box Office, 30 Union Street, beginning Tuesday, August 3. The Pittsfield Visitor’s Center will continue to operate at 179 South Street .
“Half TIX has been an overwhelming success since Barrington Stage founded the program 10 years ago,” said Artistic Director Julianne Boyd. “We are thrilled to extend the customer service of our Box Office personnel to all ½ TIX patrons in Pittsfield in a more spacious venue.”
Here’s a link to our more detailed story on the 1/2 Tix program and the location of all its branches.
The Future of Cabaret and Entertainment
There’s been something afoot for a while now, a movement away from dirty tee shirts and jostled hair, and towards a return to glamour, high art tinged with mockery and humor. Miss Behave is doing it with the Crack Variety Show at Assembly in the Prices Street Garden, and Edinburgh is eating it up.
Soon Diane Paulus opens her version of Cabaret at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, the musical stars Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls as the transgressive MC.
This video says it all, and points towards the decline of the male stand up comedian, and the return of real talent and imagination. Just as I began to get bored with it all, the glamour gals are showing the drag queens what having a good time is really all about.
