The Berkshire Fine Arts Preview of the Best Bets for August

Our Guide in Words and Pictures to the Top Theatre, Music and Dance Offerings

By: Larry Murray - Jul 29, 2008

Mass MoCA presents the Australian Group, Strange Fruit August 15-17

Another silhouetted view of the visually stunning, bobbing and wobbling group, Strange Fruit.

Soulful Charlie Burnham performs live at Mass MoCA on August 16

Keira Naughton and Thomas Kee in The Goatwoman of Corvis County at Shakespeare & Company. Kevin Sprague Photo.

The Goatwoman of Corvis County at Shakespeare & Company. Kevin Sprague Photo.

Othello regrets his haste at Shakespeare & Company. Kevin Sprague Photo.

Jacob’s Pillow: Samantha Klanac, Katherine Eberle of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet; photo Rosalie O’Connor.

Maureen Fleming at Jacob’s Pillow. Lois Greefield photo.

Keigwin + Company at Jacob’s Pillow. Photo Tom Caravaglia

Stockholm 59° North at Jacon’s Pillow. Photo Mats Backer

John Michael Schert of Trey McIntyre Project. Photo Jonas Lundqvist

Kate Weare Company during its Creative Development Residency at Jacob’s Pillow. P Kurt Perschke.

Private Lives to open at Barrington Stage Company. Photo by Kevin Sprague.

See Rock City in rehearsal at Barrington Stage Music Theatre Lab. Kevin Sprague photo.

the full cast of Seussical the Musical at Barrington Stage. Kevin Sprague photo.

One of the young company members in Seussical the Musical at Barrington Stage. Sprague photo.

Barrington Stage presents their Youth Theatre in Seussical the Musical through August 17. Kevin Sprague photo.

Sleeping Giant is a new multi-disciplinary work to premiere at Mass MoCA on August 23 with music by Tin Hat.

Didi, Gogo the tree and the boots on the spare set of Waiting For Godot. Berkshire Theatre Festival photos by Kevin Sprague.

Lucky, as played by Randy Harrison in Waiting for Godot at the Berkshire Theatre Festival.

David Schramm as Pozzo watches over his slave, Lucky, Randy Harrison in Waiting for Godot at the Berkshire Theatre Festival.

Didi and Gogo support an exhausted Lucky in Waiting for Godot at Berkshire Theatre Festival.

David Adkins and Stephen DeRosa as Vladimir and Estragon in Waiting for Godot, at the Berkshire Theatre Festival production. Kivin Sprague Photo.

The four main characters on the set of Waiting for Godot.

A Flea in Her Ear at Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Two brothers are the focal point of the multimedia production of Sleeping Giant at Mass MoCA on August 23.

Mass MoCA presents Strange Fruit.

Williamstown Theatre Festival - Mainstage

A Flea in Her Ear - Now through August 10

A top pick. Only the dull and dour turn up their noses at Farce, thinking it "silly". For the rest of us, this brilliant updating of the Georges Feydeau play, A Flea in Her Ear,  is one of this season's most anticipated productions. A night at the Hotel Frisky Puss with its revolving bed that flings guests from room to room is not to be missed.

Berkshire Fine Arts had a playful chat with director John Rando and actor Mark Harelik  about this new translation by David Ives. We highly recommend it to you as a candidate for the funniest evening of the summer, possibly the year. The Ladies Man, another delightful version of Feydeau farce continues in repertory at Shakespeare and Company through August 30. If you believe there is too little laughter in the world, you may even enjoy comparing the two very different but equally delightful productions based on the same basic material.

Home - August 13-24

In Home, by David Storey, four friends meet in a park to converse about life's events only to slowly reveal the reality of their strange circumstances.  Why are they together?  How long have they been there?  Who else might they encounter along the way?  David Storey's mysterious tale provides vast reassurance that life's occurrences will not always be what they seem.

Final casting was recently announced. Joining Richard Easton (Tony Award – Invention of Love, Noises Off) and Dana Ivey (Tony Nominations – The Rivals, Butley) are Philip Goodwin (Tartuffe), Roberta Maxwell (Othello, Merchant of Venice) and C.J. Wilson (Festen, Long Day's Journey into Night).

Williamstown Theatre Festival - Nikos Stage

Not Waving  (World Premiere) August 6-17

In Not Waving, sun, sand and surf draw six people to a public beach with a troubled history.  While relaxation and rejuvenation are the desired goal, the tides repeatedly take a breathtaking turn throughout this heartwarming play about the universal human need to be loved.

The cast includes Nate Corddry ("Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip"), Maria Dizzia (Eurydice, Drunken City), Dashiell Eaves (Coram Boy, Lieutenant of Inishmore), Tony Award-winner Harriet Harris (Cry-Baby, Thoroughly Modern Millie, "Desperate Housewives," "Frasier"), Will Rogers (From Up Here) and Sarah Steele (Speech & Debate, Spanglish).  Directed by former WTF Boris Sagal and Bill Foeller Directing Fellow Carolyn Cantor (In a Dark Dark House, Artistic Director Edge Theatre Company).

The design team for Not Waving includes set design by David Korins, costume design by Jenny Mannis, lighting design by David Weiner, and sound design by Bart Fasbender.  The production stage manager is Matthew Silver.

Quick Link to Williamstown Theatre Festival

Weston, Vermont Playhouse - Les Misérables to August 23

The little theatre company that can takes on the famous musical. Yes, the classic is about to make its long-awaited Vermont premiere in one of the largest productions ever mounted on the Weston stage. Directed by Tim Fort, it is the only chance to see it anywhere near the Berkshires this summer. Winner of eight Tony awards including Best Musical, this unforgettable saga of love, courage and redemption in the life of escaped prisoner, Jean Valjean, is told through such memorable songs as "Who Am I?," "Master of the House," and "One Day More."

Quick Link to Weston, VT Playhouse

Shakespeare & Company

Goatwoman of Corvis County August 1-31

The Goatwoman of Corvis County is not only a new play by a fresh new playwright, but it also marks the opening of the new Elayne P. Bernstein theatre at Shakespeare & Company. The new facility is a flexible space which can accommodate a variety of performance formats, air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible which makes it audience friendly.

The playwright, Christine Whitley creates a sort of 21st century, Southern gothic milieu where secrets drive a wedge through a rural family and disaster seems a hair's breadth away. The Goatwoman of Corvis County centers around a contemporary American family living outside Nashville, Tennessee. Charlotte is a minor local celebrity who's been nicknamed Goatwoman due to her uncanny ability to heal animals. When she lands in some serious legal trouble, it exposes the fractures in her relationship with her new husband Randy and her 16 year-old son David, and threatens her carefully constructed persona. To save herself, Charlotte must withdraw from her insular, private world and connect with the people she loves—before it's too late.

Playwright Christine Whitley returns to Shakespeare & Company after years of involvement with their Training Program. "The theme of communication, and lack of it, is obviously not a new thing to deal with in drama. But this story spoke to me very loudly," Whitley says. "Even in a dysfunctional family, the human drive to connect—despite great barriers and psychological wounds—is still there."

Robert Walsh returns as director. He directed The Secret of Sherlock Holmes which we reviewed here at BFA last season. Each of the four cast members appears onstage at Shakespeare & Company for the first time this season. Keira Naughton comes to us immediately after her role in The Book Club Play at Berkshire Theatre Festival, to play Charlotte. Thomas Kee plays Randy, David Rosenblatt plays David and Daniel Berger-Jones plays John.

Continuing in Repertory

Shakespeare & Company continues to present several plays that opened earlier in repertory. This enables those who vacation here for a week to see all their current works, as one follows the other on the mainstage. This rotating schedule continues until the end of August.

The most recent arrival which was recently reviewed here and is the classic Shakespeare tale of Othello, with the phenomenal John Douglas Thompson as the Moor, Merritt Johnson as a compelling Desdemona while the role of Cassio as portrayed by LeRoy McLain is inspired.

The Bard's All's Well That Ends Well gives all of us to see a new take on this "problem play" which in their new production contains much singing and dancing. BFA talks about Tina Packer's daring approach in an earlier review.

Finally, there is The Ladies Man, a farcical excursion into the world of mistaken identities, accidental misunderstandings, and a set with five doors through which the unexpected continually appears. You can get a good feel for what this evening is like through our earlier review. I even went back a second time, bringing several out of town guests who are hard to please. They complained of course. But only that their sides  hurt from laughing so hard. A nice problem to have, don't you think?

One final note about the repertory schedule. It is possible to see three or more plays in one day at Shakespeare & Company. For example, on August 31, the last day of the full summer season, they have scheduled The Ladies Man at 10:30 AM, Othello at 3:00 PM and All's Well That Ends Well at 8:00 PM. You can easily add in the free performance of Wild and Whirling Words at 1:15 PM, and the free Prelude at 7:15 to make a full day of it. You can also choose The Goatwoman of Corvis County in place of one of the Shakespeare works. Bring a picnic lunch and dinner and make a full day and night of it. Their campus is quite large and welcoming. And if you happen to hear some chortling in the background, check it out. It is likely Artistic Director Tina Packer overseeing everything, making sure all her guests are having a good time.

Quick Link to Shakespeare & Company

Berkshire Theatre Festival - Mainstage

A Man for All Seasons - Now through August 9

Robert Bolt's drama, A Man for All Seasons, is directed by Richard Corley and explores the uneasy interplay of church and state during the reign of King Henry VIII. The play is based on the true story of Sir Thomas More, a revered scholar, lawyer, and churchman, whose eloquence and endurance in the face of escalating threats to his beliefs and family make him one of modern drama's greatest tragic heroes. Although the play won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1962 and went on to garner multiple Academy Awards when it was adapted to film in 1966, it does test ones endurance for long plays. The cast is splendid, however, and if you find the subject matter interesting, you will surely have a delightful evening of serious theatre.

Noel Coward in Two Keys - August 12-30

Noël Coward in Two Keys was British playwright Sir Noël Coward's final stage work. It is composed of a pair of one-act comedies, Come into the Garden, Maud and A Song at Twilight, both of which are set in a Swiss hotel suite. Living life dishonestly takes its toll on Coward's witty, sophisticated characters. Vivian Matalon directed the esteemed author himself in the work's London premiere in 1966, as well as the 1974 Broadway version that featured BTF alums Thom Christopher, Hume Cronyn, and Jessica Tandy.

Maureen Anderman will play the role of Maud Caragnani in Come into the Garden, Maud and Carlotta Gray in A Song at Twilight. Her numerous Broadway credits include The Year of Magical Thinking, Edward Albee's Seascape and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Hamlet, and Macbeth. She has been honored with IRNE, Drama Desk, and Tony Award nominations, and has received Theatre World and Connecticut Critics Circle Awards.

Casey Biggs will play Verner Conklin in Come into the Garden, Maud and Hugo Latymer in A Song at Twilight. Casey's previous BTF appearances include High Spirits and Moby Dick--Rehearsed. He has also performed at the Lincoln Center and in numerous productions at Arena Stage, including Shakespeare in Hollywood, Long Day's Journey into Night, and Taming of the Shrew.

Gian Murray Gianino will play Felix in Come into the Garden, Maud. Gianino has performed in New York at SoHo Rep, Signature Theatre, Second Stage, and The Public Theatre. Regionally, he has worked with the Yale Repertory Theatre, Arena Stage, and Provincetown Repertory Theatre. He toured nationally with Anne Bogart's Siti Company.

Susan Kellerman will play Anna Mary Conklin in Come into the Garden, Maud and Hilde Latymer in A Song at Twilight. Kellerman has appeared on Broadway in Last Kicks, Whose Life is it Anyway?, Lunch Hour, and Judgment at Nuremberg. Her Off-Broadway credits include Book of Days, 2 Lives, and Moon Over Miami. She is also familiar to film audiences for her appearances in Beetlejuice, The Devil's Advocate, and Last Holiday. Most recently, Kellerman received a Helen Hayes nomination for her work in Moises Kaufmann's 33 Variations, which she also performed at La Jolla Playhouse.

Berkshire Theatre Festival - Unicorn Theatre

Waiting for Godot - Now to August 23

Hot Ticket of the Month. Samuel Beckett's tragicomedy, Waiting for Godot, changed the course of modern theatre when it opened in Paris in 1953. The play is at once a vaudevillian farce and a heartrending expression of our very existence. Upon seeing the innovative production for the first time, playwright William Saroyan commented, "It will make it easier for me and everyone else to write freely in the theatre."

It is directed by Anders Cato with David Adkins, Stephen DeRosa, Randy Harrison, David Schramm and Cooper Stanton. We recently had a revealing conversation about Beckett with Harrison who plays Lucky in this producton. David Adkins has been cast as Vladimir (Didi), with Stephen DeRosa as Estragon (Gogo) and David Schramm as Pozzo.

First photos! The photos of the new set and costumes for Waiting for Godot became available only moments ago, and we are pleased to publish them here so you can see how director Anders Cato and the company is reimagining this classic play.

Around the World in 80 Days - August 6-23

Each year the Festival's apprentices mount a show of their own which is affordably prices, and perfect for children as well as adults. The classic tale of Phinneas Fogg has been adapted by Mark Brown from the Jules Verne novel and is directed by Amy Brentano, a veteran of quite a few scary films, so she knows how to pull surprises out of the hat.

Phileas Fogg (a very English gentleman - with a first name often spelled as Phineas or Phinneas) takes a bet that he can circumnavigate the globe in 80 days. The ensuing whirlwind escapade involves galloping horses, runaway trains, and a lumbering elephant, moving from sacred Hindu temples in Bombay to the American Wild West, and meeting Japanese acrobats and an Indian princess along the way, but will he beat the clock? Not if a relentless Scotland Yard detective has anything to say about it.

It plays at the Unicorn Theatre Monday through Friday at 11 AM and Saturday at 10 AM with prices set at $7 for children and students, $15 for adults.

Eleanor: Her Secret Journey Begins August 26

Written by Rhoda Lerman and directed by Stephen Temperley, Eleanor: Her Secret Journey is a poignant and thoughtful one-woman play about Eleanor Roosevelt. It will star Elizabeth Norment as the FDR's First Lady. It plays through November 9th, and will add a Berkshire voice to the upcoming Presidential election season. We will report on it in more detail in a few weeks.

Quick Link to Berkshire Theatre Festival

Barrington Stage Company - Main Stage

Private Lives - August 7-24

Most Promising Production. Directed by Julianne Boyd, Private Lives is often called a farce, but it really more a classic comedy of bad manners. Coward's masterpiece is filled with razor sharp wit, sexual sophistication and sparkling repartee. Two divorcees, on a honeymoon with their new spouses, find their old passion for one another reignited. This promises to be a compelling evening of theatre, as the play explores the topics of love, truth and the nature of relationships.

The cast includes Rebecca Brooksher, Tandy Cronyn, Mark H. Dold, Gretchen Egolf and Christopher Innvar.

Meanwhile, The Violet Hour finishes its run on the mainstage, with the last performance on August 2. Here's our take on it.

Barrington Stage 2 at the VFW Hall

See Rock City & Other Destinations  - August 7-23

Fueled by a brilliant pop-rock score, See Rock City & Other Destinations ventures to tourist destinations across America, mapping out stories of sightseers who need to get a little lost in order to find themselves. It has book and lyrics by Adam Mathias, with music by Brad Alexander and is directed by Kevin Del Aguila. The creators are the winner of the 2007 Jerry Bock Award and the 2008 Richard Rodgers Award.

The cast includes Jill Abramovitz, Gwen Hollander, John Jellison, David Rossmer, Benjamin Schrader, Wesley Taylor and Cassie Wooley.

Other Events at Barrington Stage

The William Finn Show - August 29-30

The real title of this show is a long one, Songs by Ridiculously Talented Composers & Lyricists you Probably Don't Know, But Should... and is the Summer Finale, year 3 version. It features the work of lesser known composers and lyricists, the future of musical theatre.

Narrated by William Finn and sung by a cast of four, Finn shares with the audience what makes a good lyric, why some work and others don't—you'll feel as if you're in a master class in songwriting taught by the master himself. The evening takes place at Barrington's Mainstage at 30 Union Street.

Seussical, the Musical - Through August 17

Best Choice for Families With Children. Barrington Stage Company's Professional Youth Theatre is designed to extend the professionalism of our main stage to local youth. Student actors and technicians sign a contract and receive a weekly stipend. This aspect of the program is unique to BSC; typically, students pay to participate in similar programs. Under a professional director and choreographer, the students mount a production that is presented for a five week run. This extended run teaches the students the discipline and spontaneity necessary to repeat a performance 35 times in five weeks. This worthy endeaver is sponsored by both the Berkshire Eagle and TD BankNorth, among others.

The performances take place at the First Congregational Church at 27 East Street in Pittsfield.

Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (My Favorite Year, Once On This Island and Ragtime) have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and all of the Whos of Whoville. Sounds like fun for Seuss fans of all ages.

Quick Link to Barrington Stage Company

Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival -Ted Shawn Theatre

Stockholm 59° North - August 6-10

The dancers of Stockholm 59° North are soloists of the Royal Swedish Ballet, one of the oldest dance companies in the world, who created their own troupe in order to perform new and contemporary works. The company returns in a rare U.S. appearance with this exclusive program that includes the world premiere of Cicada by choreographer Christina Caprioli; Appartement and Pointless Pastures, both by the iconic Mats Ek; and the sensuously powerful Castrati by Nacho Duato.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet - August 13-17

Top Dance Pick. The grace and elegance of classical ballet coupled with a repertoire full of sharp new works makes Aspen Santa Fe Ballet one of the most eclectic contemporary ballet companies in the world today. The company performs an exclusive East Coast program including Petal, by Helen Pickett, Itzik Galili's Chameleon with music by John Cage, William Forsythe's Slingerland, and 1st Flash, by Jorma Elo. Special $10 Youth  tickets are available for the matinée.

Trey McIntyre Project - August 20-24

Trey McIntyre launches his full-time company with this engagement. With more than 70 ballets under his belt, this au courant choreographer has decided to stake a permanent claim on the dance scene. Formerly a temporary pick-up group, Trey McIntyre Project debuts as a fully employed company of performers with a program that includes a world premiere with music by renowned American folk artist, Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary. McIntyre's winning, accessible ballets appeal to all audiences, from the dance connoisseur to the novice.

Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival - Doris Duke Studio Theatre

Shantala Shivalingappa - August 7-10

The beauty of classical Indian dance and live music in the quicksilver Kuchipudi tradition is embodied in Shantala Shivalingappa and her ensemble of master musicians. The Pillow presents Gamaka, a landscape of imagination, story-telling, dance and music in harmony.

Kate Weare & Maureen Fleming August 14-17

Dubbed "wonderfully ingenious" by The Village Voice, Kate Weare presents the world premiere of Bridge of Sighs, created at the Pillow during a recent Creative Development Residency. Then performance artist Maureen Fleming's world of "surreal movement poetry" transforms how audiences think of the human body and its communicative power. Fleming's program includes The Stairs, with a score by Philip Glass, performed live by Peter Phillips, Dialogue of Self and Soul and Sphere. Partial nudity.

Keigwin + Company - August 21-24

Dancer, choreographer, director, and Bessie Award-winner Larry Keigwin has performed his way from Broadway to cabaret to the Metropolitan Opera. His works strike a note at the intersection of entertainment and insight. Keigwin's craftsmanship, versatility and wit are fully revealed with his own company, which performs Love Songs and other winning dances.

Other Events at the Pillow - August 17 A Jazz Happening

One of the most exciting evening of the 2008 season will be a special event called A Jazz Happening. It features live music of course, and Chet Walker. Walker, who co-conceived the Tony Award-winning Fosse and serves as director of The School at Jacob's Pillow's Jazz/Musical Theatre Dance Program, brings a celebration of the art of Broadway jazz dance to the Pillow.  This benefit for The School at Jacob's Pillow showcases The School's professional-level dancers performing side-by-side with renowned Broadway artists and faculty musicians.

This year's stars include Brenda Braxton of Chicago and Smokey Joe's Cafe, a special tap number by Mercedes Ellington, Dana Moore of Fosse and Chicago.

Free Performances, Free Talks

The number of free performances and pre-show talks that the Pillow schedules is amazing. We wrote about how it is an ideal place to spend the day.  The outdoor showings take place on their Inside/Out stage in the woods, while pre and post show talks are held in various locales, most often Blake's Barn. Consult their website for the full schedule.

Quick Link to Jacobs Pillow website

Tanglewood

So much is happening at Tanglewood, we can only write about some of the highlights. The specific programs can be found by using our link to the Boston Symphony. Here are the events that caught our eye.

Popular violinist Joshua Bell appears Friday, August 1 for the Chausson Poème for violin and orchestra. Also on the program is Saint-Saens Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, for violin and orchestra and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.

Saturday, August 2 will feature Si Andrew Davis conducting Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, sung in Russian with English supertitles. Renée Fleming sings Tatiana.

Yo-Yo Ma appears on Sunday, August 3 for the Lalo Cello Concerto. Also on the program is the Albeniz Suite from Iberia and Rachmninoff's Symphonic Dances.

Tuesday, August 5 is the musically spectacular Tanglewood on Parade, with not one, but five conductors on hand to lead the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops and Tanglewood Music Center Orchestras. They are Keith Lockhart, John Williams, Hans Graf, Sir Andrew Davis and André Previn.  Fireworks follow the 1812 Overture.

The weekend of August 8-10 is dedicated to Mozart and his works, with many of the same conductors and principals as for Tanglewood on Parade.

On Wednesday, August 13, the lovely mezzo-soprano  Frederica von Stade will appear at Ozawa Hall in a program named Roses, Flutes and Paris.  "Flicka"will sing works by Ned Rorem, Piaf and many others accompanied by Mathieu Dufour, flute and Peter Grunberg, piano.

Most Unexpected Programming. For lovers of contemporary music, the Kronos Quartet follows the next night at Ozawa Hall on Thursday, August 14. Here's the program, unusual as are most Kronos performances.

Unknown (trans. LJOVA; arr. KRONOS) Oh Mother, the Handsome Man Tortures Me
Trad. (arr. GARCHIK) Lullaby
VREBALOV Pannonia Boundless
RÃ"S (arr. PRUTSMAN) Flugufrelsarinn (The Fly Freer)
ZORN Selection from The Dead Man
PRUTSMAN Particle 423
GORDAN Potassium
RAM NARAYAN (trans. LJOVA; arr. KRONOS) Alap from Raga Mishra Bhairavi
WEBERN Six Bagatelles, Op. 9
REICH Triple Quartet

And so it goes until the final classical weekend of August 22-24 where the works of Beethoven get a workout, concluding with the traditional rendering of the mighty Beethoven Ninth on Sunday under the baton of Christoph von Dohnányi.

Quick Link to Tanglewood Information

Tanglewood Jazz Festival - August 29-31

By the end of August you might assume the Tanglewood season is over, since the orchestra has packed up and is on its way back to Boston by then.

Happily, Tanglewood is also the home of a first class jazz festival which runs over the Labor Day weekend much to the delight of local jazz aficionados. Held in the more intimate Ozawa Hall, this years program (previously published here in BFA) is most interesting. We do worry what the loss of the legendary Freddie Taylor as the organizer and presenter might mean to the event. We will soon see.

Friday highlights include the Edmar Castaneda Trio with special guest Joe Locke; Eliane Elias and "Something For You," and a tribute to Bill Evans.

Saturday at 2:00 PM is being called "A Celebration of Marian McPartland's 90th Birthday" with special guests Nnenna Freelon, Marian McPartland, and Spencer Day.

At 8:00 PM is Donal Fox and the Scarlatti Jazz Suite Project featuring Christian Scott and Dianne Reeves.

Sunday, August 31 at 2:00 PM features the Eddie Daniels Quartet is featured, with Mark O'Connor's "Hot Swing" and special guest Jane Monheit.

At 8:00 PM trumpeter Terence Blanchard's "A Tale of God's Will (A Requiem for Katrina)". The New Orleans native takes us on a 13-track emotional tour de force of anger, rage, compassion, melancholy and beauty.

Quick Link to the Tanglewood Jazz Festival

Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art

Bang on a Can just finished its annual summer residency as Mass MoCA, and the BSO did a tribute to Elliot Carter. It is a toss-up as to who was loudest. The BOAC All-Stars raised the roof to standing ovations with a Lee Ranaldo piece, How Deep Are Rivers (A Map is a Good Piece of Paper) and likely broke the record for the most decibels ever created at the Hunter Center. A few days later, Elliott Carter's Concerto for Orchestra competed with lightning and thunder to drown out Mother Nature at Tanglewood.

But that was July, and as we look back with fondness to the music in the galleries, the student musicians and the BOAC Marathon, we contemplate even more excitement at Mass MoCA in August. The hills are still alive. So what is there to get excited about?

Dark, Dark, Dark - August 9