Monthly Archives: July 2011

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos

Tanglewood Aug. 12-16 (Week 6) – Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos Returns with Pepe Romero

(Seen above: conductor Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos) FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 – MAESTRO FRÜHBECK DE BURGOS AND PEPE ROMERO JOIN THE BSO IN SPANISH PROGRAM Maestro Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos returns for the second week in a row to lead the BSO in

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos

Tanglewood Aug. 12-16 (Week 6) – Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos Returns with Pepe Romero

(Seen above: conductor Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos) FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 – MAESTRO FRÜHBECK DE BURGOS AND PEPE ROMERO JOIN THE BSO IN SPANISH PROGRAM Maestro Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos returns for the second week in a row to lead the BSO in

Brooks Ashmanskas in She Stoops to Conquer

Review: She Stoops to Conquer is Flawless Fun at Williamstown Theatre Festival

It appears that nothing inspires Nicholas Martin’s creativity more than a cherished theatrical chestnut. Last year he staged a fresh but honest Our Town, and this Summer, it is the 238-year-old Oliver Goldsmith play, She Stoops to Conquer. The first

Brooks Ashmanskas in She Stoops to Conquer

Review: She Stoops to Conquer is Flawless Fun at Williamstown Theatre Festival

It appears that nothing inspires Nicholas Martin’s creativity more than a cherished theatrical chestnut. Last year he staged a fresh but honest Our Town, and this Summer, it is the 238-year-old Oliver Goldsmith play, She Stoops to Conquer. The first

Matt Hoverman

Unique comedy voice of Matt Hoverman to be heard when BPL reads “The Glint”

Many actors are funnier offstage than on since there is something inside them that prompts them to adopt hilarious unreal personalities as they go about daily life. They love to try out their roles on people. One of those comedic

Matt Hoverman

Unique comedy voice of Matt Hoverman to be heard when BPL reads “The Glint”

Many actors are funnier offstage than on since there is something inside them that prompts them to adopt hilarious unreal personalities as they go about daily life. They love to try out their roles on people. One of those comedic

The cast from last year's Next Thing You Know:  Colin Hanlon, Patti Murin, Lauren Blackman and Jay Armstrong Johnson.

Classic Musicals from the past featured at Colonial’s Free Musical Matinees

For lovers of musicals, especially the glorious old fashioned kind with familiar stories and melodies, there is good news today. The Berkshire Theatre Festival has announced Musical Mondays, an exciting expansion of their popular Friday Play Reading Series. (Seen above

The cast from last year's Next Thing You Know:  Colin Hanlon, Patti Murin, Lauren Blackman and Jay Armstrong Johnson.

Classic Musicals from the past featured at Colonial’s Free Musical Matinees

For lovers of musicals, especially the glorious old fashioned kind with familiar stories and melodies, there is good news today. The Berkshire Theatre Festival has announced Musical Mondays, an exciting expansion of their popular Friday Play Reading Series. (Seen above

The Colonial Theatre

Memo to Kate Maguire: Six More Shows that could fill the Colonial Theatre

Last night I dreamed that Kate Maguire and Simon Shaw at the Colonial Theatre asked me what kind of acts to book. Of course there is nothing wrong with what they are doing now, but given she asked (in my

The Colonial Theatre

Memo to Kate Maguire: Six More Shows that could fill the Colonial Theatre

Last night I dreamed that Kate Maguire and Simon Shaw at the Colonial Theatre asked me what kind of acts to book. Of course there is nothing wrong with what they are doing now, but given she asked (in my

The Best of Enemies

The Best of Enemies (Oct. 5-16) at Barrington Stage is compelling theatre at its best

(The Best of Enemies returns for a limited run October 5-16, 2011.) Let there be no doubt that The Best of Enemies with Aisha Hinds (l) and John Bedford Lloyd (r) is one of the most important historical plays about

The Best of Enemies

The Best of Enemies (Oct. 5-16) at Barrington Stage is compelling theatre at its best

(The Best of Enemies returns for a limited run October 5-16, 2011.) Let there be no doubt that The Best of Enemies with Aisha Hinds (l) and John Bedford Lloyd (r) is one of the most important historical plays about

Don Pasquale at Hubbard Hall

Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” Aug 12-18 at nearby Hubbard Hall Opera Theater

Slowly the word has spread through the Berkshires, there is still great opera in the area, in a very old performing venue called Hubbard Hall, and they perform their classics with love, energy and fidelity. Editor’s Note: I was able

Don Pasquale at Hubbard Hall

Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” Aug 12-18 at nearby Hubbard Hall Opera Theater

Slowly the word has spread through the Berkshires, there is still great opera in the area, in a very old performing venue called Hubbard Hall, and they perform their classics with love, energy and fidelity. Editor’s Note: I was able

Broadway in the Berkshires

“Broadway in the Berkshires” Spectacular to pull out all the stops on August 15

A Scintillating Line up of Performers In our gallery above, more than a dozen fresh, talented singers and dancers entice you to join them for the fun evening of the summer, a salute to Broadway in the Berkshires. With your

Broadway in the Berkshires

“Broadway in the Berkshires” Spectacular to pull out all the stops on August 15

A Scintillating Line up of Performers In our gallery above, more than a dozen fresh, talented singers and dancers entice you to join them for the fun evening of the summer, a salute to Broadway in the Berkshires. With your

Tommy Tune

A rare and fabulous evening: Tommy Tune on stage at the Colonial Theatre

Nine-time Tony Award winner Tommy Tune is bringing his legendary show Steps in Time: A Broadway Biography in Song and Dance Featuring The Manhattan Rhythm Kings to the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA for one performance on Thursday, August 11

Tommy Tune

A rare and fabulous evening: Tommy Tune on stage at the Colonial Theatre

Nine-time Tony Award winner Tommy Tune is bringing his legendary show Steps in Time: A Broadway Biography in Song and Dance Featuring The Manhattan Rhythm Kings to the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA for one performance on Thursday, August 11

3e Étage in me2 ; photo Steve Murez

3e étage Brings Dancers and Soloists of Paris Opera Ballet to Becket

Classical virtuosity and wit are the hallmarks of 3e étage, a contemporary ballet ensemble formed by and featuring dancers and soloists of the legendary Paris Opera Ballet. The company was named for the third floor (3e étage) of the illustrious

3e Étage in me2 ; photo Steve Murez

3e étage Brings Dancers and Soloists of Paris Opera Ballet to Becket

Classical virtuosity and wit are the hallmarks of 3e étage, a contemporary ballet ensemble formed by and featuring dancers and soloists of the legendary Paris Opera Ballet. The company was named for the third floor (3e étage) of the illustrious

Tina Packer as Molly Ivans

Tina Packer is one Red Hot Patriot in Molly Ivins comedy at Shakespeare & Company

“I write and do these things because I can’t help myself, but most of it’s just back-talk I wish I’d said to my father.” – Molly Ivins Red Hot Patriot: the kick-ass wit of molly ivins Slip on your cowboy

Tina Packer as Molly Ivans

Tina Packer is one Red Hot Patriot in Molly Ivins comedy at Shakespeare & Company

“I write and do these things because I can’t help myself, but most of it’s just back-talk I wish I’d said to my father.” – Molly Ivins Red Hot Patriot: the kick-ass wit of molly ivins Slip on your cowboy

Dutch Masters at Berkshire Theatre Festival

At the Berkshire Theatre Festival: Greg Keller’s Dutch Masters is not an easy play

In several pre-show descriptions of Greg Keller’s new play Dutch Masters, ticket buyers are told that they will be taken on a “plot-driven roller coaster ride.” But for this rider, there will be no re-ride. It was a rough and

Dutch Masters at Berkshire Theatre Festival

At the Berkshire Theatre Festival: Greg Keller’s Dutch Masters is not an easy play

In several pre-show descriptions of Greg Keller’s new play Dutch Masters, ticket buyers are told that they will be taken on a “plot-driven roller coaster ride.” But for this rider, there will be no re-ride. It was a rough and

Jenny Gersten

Jenny Gerstein talks about “Touch(ed)” at Williamstown Theatre Festival (Begins Aug. 3)

Artistic Director Jenny Gersten announced today the full cast and creative team for Touch(ed), to be presented on the Nikos Stage as part of the 2011 Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF). Touch(ed) will run from August 3rd, 2011 through August 14th,

Jenny Gersten

Jenny Gerstein talks about “Touch(ed)” at Williamstown Theatre Festival (Begins Aug. 3)

Artistic Director Jenny Gersten announced today the full cast and creative team for Touch(ed), to be presented on the Nikos Stage as part of the 2011 Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF). Touch(ed) will run from August 3rd, 2011 through August 14th,

Jonah Bokaer in Why Patterns; photo Robert Benschop.

Jonah Bokaer offers two US Premieres (Recess and Why Patterns) at Jacob’s Pillow

Jonah Bokaer (seen above in Why Patterns; photo Robert Benschopis) is known as one of the renaissance men of contemporary dance since he can not be typecast as “just” a choreographer or dancer. In fact Bokaer brings a surprising, innovative

Jonah Bokaer in Why Patterns; photo Robert Benschop.

Jonah Bokaer offers two US Premieres (Recess and Why Patterns) at Jacob’s Pillow

Jonah Bokaer (seen above in Why Patterns; photo Robert Benschopis) is known as one of the renaissance men of contemporary dance since he can not be typecast as “just” a choreographer or dancer. In fact Bokaer brings a surprising, innovative

Christianne Tisdale

Backstage Drama at “Mormons, Mothers and Monsters” Almost Derails Show

When the new musical Mormons, Mothers and Monsters had its opening Wednesday night at Barrington’s Stage 2, few people – even in the cast – knew that the “Mother” of the show, Jill Abramovitz was pushing through a serious throat

Christianne Tisdale

Backstage Drama at “Mormons, Mothers and Monsters” Almost Derails Show

When the new musical Mormons, Mothers and Monsters had its opening Wednesday night at Barrington’s Stage 2, few people – even in the cast – knew that the “Mother” of the show, Jill Abramovitz was pushing through a serious throat

A Doll's House at Williamstown Theatre Festival

Review: Williamstown Theatre Festival’s “A Dolls House” Disappoints

This unusual staging of A Doll’s House might work on film. Done that way we might have been better able to see it, hear it and enjoy it. For example, in the scene above you see the children playing in

A Doll's House at Williamstown Theatre Festival

Review: Williamstown Theatre Festival’s “A Dolls House” Disappoints

This unusual staging of A Doll’s House might work on film. Done that way we might have been better able to see it, hear it and enjoy it. For example, in the scene above you see the children playing in

Hound of the Baskervilles

Ridiculously Funny “The Hound of the Baskervilles” Knocks ‘em Dead at Shakespeare & Company

When a critic sees a show, the next day they will write a review which will either laud or excoriate the performance. But there are days when even the most persnickety pundit just wants to have fun. People are very

Hound of the Baskervilles

Ridiculously Funny “The Hound of the Baskervilles” Knocks ‘em Dead at Shakespeare & Company

When a critic sees a show, the next day they will write a review which will either laud or excoriate the performance. But there are days when even the most persnickety pundit just wants to have fun. People are very

Randy Harrison as Tommy at Berkshire Theatre Group.

Interview (Part Two): Randy Harrison and his life beyond the Berkshires

This interview copyright © Larry Murray, 2011. Reproduction without permission strictly forbidden. If you wish to share this article, please link to it, do not steal it. Photo above by Jaime Davidson, courtesy Berkshire Theatre Festival. In Part One of this

Randy Harrison as Tommy at Berkshire Theatre Group.

Interview (Part Two): Randy Harrison and his life beyond the Berkshires

This interview copyright © Larry Murray, 2011. Reproduction without permission strictly forbidden. If you wish to share this article, please link to it, do not steal it. Photo above by Jaime Davidson, courtesy Berkshire Theatre Festival. In Part One of this