Barrington Stage Company

A perfect storm of cool, rainy weather, $4 a gallon gas, and a lousy economy caused the coining of a new term "Staycation" during the summer of 2008. While clearly an off year Berkshire arts and tourism held their own largely through its range of world class offerings.

Currently there are two Noel Coward plays on view in the Berkshires. "Noel Coward in Two Keys" runs at the Berkshire Theatre Festival through August 30 while "Private Lives" continues through August 24. During 2007 there were Coward plays at Huntington Theatre and American Repertory Theatre as well as Williamstown Theatre Festival. Can you ever get enough of Noel Coward?

See Rock City at Barrington Stage Company is a musical about people and the choices they make, regardless of where in life they find themselves. It proves that no matter where you go, there you are.

Few plays have stood the test of time as well as Private Lives. Like a well made Hot Fudge Sundae, it brings back memories of happier times, when couples were young, scrappy and ever so truly, madly, deeply in love. Barrington Stage has freshened up this old chestnut, and it is funnier and more delightful than ever.

Berkshire residents are reveling in an amazing array of area arts offerings. Our monthly Preview serves to help guide your choices with helpful facts, insider details and handy links. The only mistake would be to procrastinate. Nothing gold can stay.

A Man for All Seasons is the story of Sir Thomas More, who refused to bend to King Henry VIII. The King insisted the Roman Catholic Chuch allow him a second divorce so that he could marry Ann Boleyn and father a male heir. Rome refused, he established the Church of England, and his old friend Thomas More had to be eliminated.

Barrington Stage Company presents the overlooked 2003 play by Tony Award winning author Richard Greenberg. After a slow first act the second act was most amusing.

Each summer Barrington Stage Company runs a musical workshop program under the direction of Tony-winning composer William Finn. While not ready for review, Berkshire photographer Kevin Sprague documented this new production. Here's a preview in the form of a photo album of what happens on stage. It is great fun.

At Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, a 7.5 million fund goal was met and the Elayne Bernstein Theatre opened, Willliamstown began its Greylock Project and series of play readings, Barrington Stage is workshopping a new musical in Pittsfield, and the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge received grants for their renewal plan, and to allow extended rehearsals for their much anticipated Waiting for Godot.

The awesome array of Berkshire arts events in July is astounding. Our theater, music and dance companies create their schedules one by one, but taken together it's going to be one sensational Summer Festival right here in our own backyard. Enjoy.

Part Two of our report on saving money while enjoying the Berkshire's many performing arts attractions. Theater, music and dance are available at a discount, sometimes even Free!

If you offer it, they will come. Barrington Stage innovates a new ticket program for those under 35 which was followed by a party with the cast of Spelling Bee.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was developed as a workshop by Barrington Stage Company in the winter of 2004. It was a Berkshire hit that summer and went on to Off Broadway and then a 1000 performance run on Broadway that earned six Tony Award nominations of which it won two. This production welcomes Spelling Bee back to the Berkshires.

The actor who played 35 roles in I Am My Own Wife tells us how he did it, and his take on the controversial Charlotte von Mahlsdorf.

Another opening, another show as the theater season shifts into high gear. Last minute casting news and scheduling changes to keep you up to date.

What's a German accent? A discussion of the choice by author, director, and actor for the play "I Am My Own Wife."

A deeply affecting theater experience has me thinking for days after the final curtain. Part Two of our coverage.

Not only does I Am My Own Wife launch the season for the Barrington Stage Company this is also the first productionn in its new Second Stage in downtown Pittsfield. This is the first of three reports on a remarkable peformance by Vince Gatton.

Berkshire residents and visitors are about to enjoy the earliest and most promising arts season in years. We pick the best of the early music, theater, dance and gallery offerings, from Memorial Day to the end of June 2008.

Theater, music and dance performances are sprouting up everywhere. Here's a head's up on the most promising. After a hard winter, it's nice to see the Berkshires bloom with life again.

Last year, its most successful to date, the Barrington Stage Company drew an attendance of 45,000. Its artistic director, Julianne Boyd, is committed to bring a diverse program and affordable theatre to the Berkshires.

During the 1947 hearings of the House Committee on Unamerican Activities, Dalton Trumbo, was charged with Contempt of Congress and became one of the black listed Hollywood Ten. The play, Trumbo, written by his son Christopher, is based on his remarkable and poignant letters.

The recently established tradition returns to Lenox, Mass with the annual Labor Day Weekend Tanglewood Jazz Festival. Tickets to all Tanglewood events are now on sale.

The Barrington Stage Company season opens on Valentine's Day and will continue through October 26 with a lively mix of drama and its signature award winning musical "The 25th Annual Puntam County Spelling Bee."

While not a "best" and "worst" list in the usual sense we offer an overview of events and what proved to be moving and insightful while covering the arts in 2007.