From our News Desk: There’s a lot to look forward to at Great Barrington’s Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center as they present a gospel concert by The Blind Boys of Alabama (March 25) and a children’s theater production by Glasgow’s Visible Fictions (March 14 and 15), as well as “Live in HD” presentations of London’s National Theatre productions of The Comedy of Errors (March 1) and She Stoops to Conquer (March 29) and the Metropolitan Opera’s Ernani(March 7). Movies will include three cult classics circa 1982: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (March 9), Pink Floyd: The Wall (March 10), and Poltergeist (March 11). “This month their ‘Mahaiwe mix’ features a gospel concert and a special show for youth in our community, as well as the screened live in HD presentations for opera and theater lovers and a 1982/30th Anniversary flashback movie series,” said Executive Director Beryl Jolly.

Music

The Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as living legends of gospel music. They will perform at the Mahaiwe on Sunday, March 25 at 7:00pm. Celebrated by the Grammys and the National Endowment for the Arts with Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, sung for two presidents in the White House, and winners of five Grammy Awards, they have attained the highest levels of achievement in a career that spans over 70 years and shows no signs of diminishing. Longevity and major awards aside, the Blind Boys have earned praise for their remarkable interpretations of everything from traditional gospel favorites to contemporary spiritual material by acclaimed songwriters such as Curtis Mayfield, Ben Harper, Eric Clapton, Prince, and Tom Waits. The Blind Boys’ live shows are roof-raising musical events that appeal to audiences of all cultures, as evidenced by an international itinerary that has taken them to virtually every continent. Tickets are $30 to $55.

Opera

The Met: Live in HD, the Metropolitan Opera’s award-winning series of live transmissions, will continue at the Mahaiwe with an encore presentation of Verdi’s Ernanion Wednesday, March 7 at 1:00pm. Angela Meade takes center stage in Verdi’s thrilling early gem. Marcello Giordani is her mismatched lover, and all-star Verdians Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Ferruccio Furlanetto round out the cast. Tickets to the broadcast are $18 to $25.

National Theatare in HD

The Mahaiwe will present two London’s National Theatre: Live in HD broadcasts this month: Dominic Cooke, celebrated director of the Royal Court Theatre in London, directs U.K. comedian and actor Lenny Henry in Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors on Thursday, March 1 at 7:00pm and on Thursday, March 29 at 7:00pm, Jamie Lloyd directs Katherine Kelly in one of the great, generous-hearted and ingenious comedies of the English language, Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer, which offers a celebration of chaos, courtship, and the dysfunctional family. Tickets are $18 to $25.

Cult Movies

The Mahaiwe will present three cult classic movies in March, all of which hail from 1982: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (rated R), Cameron Crowe’s coming-of-age comedy starring Sean Penn and Jennifer Jason Leigh, on Friday, March 9 at 7:00pm; Alan Parker’s revolutionary rock opera Pink Floyd: The Wall (rated R) on Saturday, March 10 at 7:00pm; and the supernatural horror movie Poltergeist (rated PG), which earned two Oscar nods for its special effects and another for its haunting score, on Sunday, March 11 at 7:00pm. Tickets are $6 each or $15 for all three (general admission). Mahaiwe movies are sponsored by Don Buchwald & Associates.

The Young Set

A-HA! Mahaiwe Daytime provides school-time programs to share world-class talents with local youth via field trip presentations and in-school workshops. Glasgow’s Visible Fictions will perform Jason and the Argonauts on Wednesday, March 14 at 12:00pm and Thursday, March 15 at 9:30am. Using two actors, a handful of action figures, and one incredible wooden cart, this production brings a classic Greek myth to life in an adventure story that inspires the hero in everyone. Recommended for children age 8 and up. This program is sponsored by Cain Hibbard & Myers and the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation. To make field trip arrangements, please call 413.644.9040 ext. 105.

The Mahaiwe is located at 14 Castle Street in Great Barrington, Mass. Box Office Hours: Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 6pm and three hours before show times. For tickets and information, see www.mahaiwe.org or call 413.528.0100.

About the Mahaiwe

Located in downtown Great Barrington, Massachusetts, the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is the year-round presenter of world-class music, dance, theater, classic films, “Live in HD” broadcasts, and arts education programs for the southern Berkshires and neighboring regions. The intimate jewel box of a theater opened in 1905 and has been in continuous operation for over 100 years. In 2005, the theater experienced a renaissance as a beautifully restored 681-seat venue to offer a broad range of cultural and community events. Today’s “Mahaiwe Mix” of diverse, high quality programming strives to provide meaningful, memorable entertainment for all ages and interests.