9/11 is a tempting topic for playwrights and novelists who want to dig deeper into its impact. Lloyd Pace bores into the hearts and spirits of two survivors who are in the grips of the Big Events long after the rubble is cleared and New York starts to recover. In nooks and crannies of the darting words that erupt, we feel some of the intense, lasting impact. Brilliantly directed by Katrin Hilbe and staged with unusual simplicity and power.

Having gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1993, Lithuania has bravely reclaimed its culture and recreated itself into a modern republic in a short time. In the capital city of Vilnius, the Old Town radiates with history while modern-day shops, cafes and restaurants animate the cobblestone lanes and courtyards. Trakai, the country's medieval capital, has a 15th-century castle, which sits on an island, reflecting like a jewel in the waters of Galve Lake.

In 1658 on 32 acres of land James Babson built a stone building now the oldest in Rockport. It is all that survives of the once extensive Beaver Dam Farm which my ancestors, the Nugents, leased from 1875 to 1927. Patrick died at 50 in 1900 and Mary raised their family of 13 and managed the farm until her death in 1927. Their son George moved up the street and became the owner of the largest expanse of land on Cape Ann including initially all of Good Harbor Beach.

Artistic Director Matthias von Hartz offered a 'Gesamtkunstwerk,' combining performance and visual arts aspects during the ten day long festival. Included were the 24 hour long lasting 'Mount Olympus' by Belgian director/choreographer Jan Fabre with Troubleyn Company. Then, Tim Etchells and Forced Entertainment offered 'Complete Works: Table Top Shakespeare' - all 36 Shakespeare plays, reduced to each 45 minute plots, over nine days. A stunning success! As intended, performers and audiences were challenged to their limits.

Amazing wines from the coast of Chile, where the vineyards are only four miles from the ocean.

In this staging of Ira Levin's enduring 1978 comic-mystery the men do not kiss. That cause a sensation decades ago on Broadway. The lip smacker is now banned by Levin's estate. But in a play that is chock full of clues you would have to be utterly clueless not to conclude that the washed up playwright Sidney (Gregg Edelman) isn't shagging his former student Clifford (Tom Pecinka). For a fun evening with no heavy lifting get thee to Stockbridge.

Determined to add new audiences to Tanglewood, the BSO has created an All Star lineup of Musical Acts for the Historic 2015 Season.

For the past 17 years audiences at Jacob's Pillow have been greeted by executive and artistic director Ella Baff. During summers in the Berkshires Pillow is the epicenter of the dance world. She will continue through the end of the summer festival then leave to take a position at The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in New York City. We will miss her upbeat invitation "Let's Dance!"

Here, curiously, Edward Rubin conflates his passion for Gertrude Stein and Ludwig Wittgenstein! Go figure. The Off Off production that prompts him to quote generously from Stein has, alas, closed at the time of posting this review. If you are intrigued by "A rose is a rose is a rose" then this is a name that surely will smell as sweet.

Steve Scott's new Goodman Theatre production is funny and charming and much of its wit rests on the many theatrical references and stage in-jokes (fond references to Chekhov and Greek tragedies, and to theater masters such as Stanislavski and Meisner). In addition, monologues by three of its characters are compelling and humorous set pieces.

In 2013 The Blues Project with Dorrance Dance and Toshi Reagon with BIGlovely premiered at the smaller Doris Duke Theatre. With word of mouth and rave reviews it sold out as it did again in 2014. This season the stunning tap ensemble was presented to sold out audiences in the Ted Shawn Theatre of Jacob's Pillow Dance. We were thrilled by every moment of an ecstatic performance,

On a warm spring Sunday in Brookline, after church, the parents brought their infant to be brissed by my goy parents.

Miles on tour after Bitches Brew saw him at Harvard Stadium then later in the week Lennie's on the Turnpike. That night the band included Jack DeJohnette, drums, Michael Henderson, bass, Gary Bartz, horns, Fender pianos Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea. John McLaughlin sat in on guitar. Back stage Miles asked me to help him make a difficult decision.

The homeless hag hit on me for something to eat. That was cool but she pulled a fast one.

The new Williamstown Theatre Festival artistic director, Mandy Greenfield, has launched her tenure with a double header of world premieres. In the smaller Nikos Stage a fine cast is performing Legacy by Daniel Goldfarb. There are tons of laughs and then it gets very grim and dark.

For the BSO's opening night at Tanglewood guest conductor Jacques Lacombe led the orchestra through a diverse program of Americana that celebrated the Independence Day theme of freedom. Particularly essential was the give and take, call and answer between the traditions and cross pollination of jazz and classical music. A highlight was John Douglas Thompson speaking the words of Abraham Lincoln in a tribute composed by Aaron Copland.

Among works in the estate of the Tony and Pulitzer winning playwright, William Inge, was a 1966 teleplay now reconfigured for stage and having its world premiere as Off the Main Road at Williamstown Theatre Festival. Directed by Evan Cabnet it stars Emmy winner Kyra Sedgwick as Faye the battered, alcoholic wife of Manny (Jeremy Davidson) a now abusive, alcoholic former baseball star.

The Trojan horse's head is 23 feet tall, the stage is packed with 18 principal singers, a chorus, dancers galore. Berlioz is perfumed with madness and desire. It is grand opera at its best in San Francisco: Les Troyens.

Poland's capital, Warsaw, is also its intellectual, creative, and business center. Hometown of Chopin, the composer's footprint punctuates the city. Although 85% of Warsaw had been destroyed during WW II, it has been rebuilt both to honor history, while also erecting a modern, dynamic metropolis.

San Francisco Opera commissioned this work by an Italian composer Marco Tutino and puts on a terrific production. The set brilliantly reveals small human activities as an insert in the larger world picture. Often two dramas are taking place against the background of war. The beautiful score of Marco Tutino suits the story and provides ample opportunities to display the talents of the principals.

The art historian, Keith Shaw, has organized That '70s Show which is part one of a Then and Now project for the Berkshire Artist Museum in North Adams, Mass. He asked 15 artists to exhibit selections from some 40 years ago as well as their current work. In the case of Robert Henriquez his single piece is both Then and Now. The concept was conceived in the 1970s but it it only recently that digital programming has progressed sufficiently to realize a singular work of art. This research and technology has resulted in a stunning work of museum level quality.

The musical “Come From Away” by the Canadian husband-and wife team of Irene Sankoff and David Hein, directed by Ashley made its World Premiere debut at the Sheila and Hughes Poitier Theatre last weekend to thunderous applause and standing ovations.

The Who and the What is a smart, funny play about a conservative Pakistani-American family and their attempts to come to grips with modern realities while maintaining respect for tradition. Playwright Ayad Akhtar has written believable characters who fight articulately about what they believe in.

“Bad Jews” is a new modern comedy written by acclaimed young playwright Joshua Harmon. The ambiguously titled and talky play currently on stage at the Geffen Playhouse is directed by Matt Shakman, who helms his production with one directorial foot planted in “tradition” and the other directorial foot solidly rooted in the secular 21st century.

After one season the Rudd Museum of Art in North Adams has been renamed with a new mandate as Berkshire Artist Museum. It recently reopened with a Rudd installation Iceberg in the nave and That '70s show as phase one of Then and Now which will be complete later in the season.