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

Cerebral “Endgame” confounds audiences at Berkshire Theatre Festival

Last night a brilliant production of the most peculiar play in the theatrical canon opened at the Berkshire Theatre Festival. but some members of a group that bought tickets were left totally puzzled. And pissed. “This play is too hard,”

“The Mummy’s Tale and Other Stories” performed at Berkshire Museum

The Berkshire Theatre Festival’s BTF PLAYS! production of The Mummy’s Tale and Other Stories of the Great Beyond written by E. Gray Simons III and directed by Travis G. Daly has opened. This production runs Wednesday through Saturday at 11

The Last Five Years – A Younger View Part II

Since our young critic Melanie wrote her first review of The Last Five Years, she has seen it again and written up a second report card. While second reviews are normally reserved for the times when a show makes substantial

“The Last Five Years” – A different, younger, take on the BTF show

In the Berkshires we are fortunate to have half a dozen writers and critics who rarely have the same take on a show. That was especially true for the Berkshire Theatre Festival’s production of “The Last Five Years” with Julie

Interview: Randy Harrison on Samuel Beckett and “Endgame” at BTF

It was very early in the morning as Randy Harrison arrived with a cup of wake-up in his hand. Sitting down at a handy picnic table with him to talk about Endgame was an odd juxtaposition of realities.  The Berkshire

Review: “The Last Five Years” at Berkshire Theatre Festival

Shifting gears from night to night is one of the challenges of being a writer who sees a lot of shows. Perhaps that is why The Last Five Years came as such a pleasant surprise. After big productions like Sweeney

News, Happenings, Updates around the Berkshires

Burlesque Comes to the Berkshires In what has to be the most interesting press release I have received this year, I discovered there is Burlesque in the Berkshires. And now you know, too. It is timed so as to follow

Thinking about Beckett’s “Endgame” which starts July 6 at BTF

Note: Be sure to read the follow-up interview with Randy Harrison talking about Endgame. We plan to review the opening on Saturday July 10 which will appear the next day. Samuel Beckett and “Endgame” are the source of never ending

Ice Heroes, “K2″ at Berkshire Theatre Festival Reviewed

Why should you see K2, the play by Patrick Meyers that opened last night at the Berkshire Theatre Festival? “Because it’s there,” as climber George Mallory famously said about Everest. For the theatre-goer, there are some very good reasons.  First

Berkshire Theatre News, Cast Pics and Video

“Places, everyone, places!” The shows are about to begin. Here are excerpts from the latest press releases and other sources about the people who make theatre in the Berkshires. Barrington Stage Company First a public Happy Birthday (this past weeknd)

The Berkshire Theatre Festival takes on K2

Update! Click to read our review: Ice Heroes on K2 The differences between Mount Everest and K2 are telling. While K2 is only 778′ short of Everest’s 29.029 height, it is far more dangerous. It has the second highest fatality

Backstage News Notes

Revving up for the summer, Clarke Peters talks about how The Whipping Man has as much to say about blacks as about jews, while the Berkshire Theatre Festival has started rehearsals for K2. Over at Williamstown, they are bowled over

Berkshire Theatre Festival Richie duPont Award Benefit May 22

What began in 2006 as a memorial to Richie duPont, a promising young actor lost in his prime, will be a celebration of his life at a party to raise funds for awards for budding local thespians to attend Berkshire

Opinion: Damn Yankees, Jukebox Musicals and Sports Plays

The world is divided into those who sit at home and those that go out. People who are always out and about will eventually discover local theatre and music. The couch potatoes only leave the nest to scoop up more junk at WalMart. And they always complain there is nothing to do.

They have no idea, do they.

National Endowment Announces $260,000 in Berkshire Grants

The latest round of funding announced by the National Endowment for the Arts includes seven Berkshire cultural organizations. They will receive a total of $260,000. in much needed support to supplement, strengthen and continue their educational and artistic programs. National