Berkshire Eagle

For the past six years Berkshire Living and its related publications have competed for the advertising that had previously been the domain of the Berkshire Eagle/ North Adams Transcript and weekly Advocate. An Eagle news report aggressively explores the sale and merger of Berkshire Living with Today Media. The story includes the personal financial issues of publisher Michael Zivyak as well as recent news coverage of editor Seth Rogovoy who was "discharged from the jury of a high-profile Berkshire Superior Court case after he posted a court-related comment on Twitter."

The Berkshire Museum insists that there is no substance to our speculation that the resignation of Start Chase as its executive director was "abrupt" or the result of a conflict with the Board regarding the use of the Florence Keep & Josephine Crane Fund. It is named for the donors of the works which were sold for $7 million. By e mail Chase responded to a request for clarification of the current status of the acquisition fund and its recent use.

Initially, Larry Murray and Charles Giuliano divided coverage of the four major Berkshire theatre companies as well as the Colonial and Mahaiwe. Murray retired to the Berkshires after a long career as a publicist and marketing specialist for a range of organizations including the BSO, Boston Ballet, and Sarah Caldwell's Opera Company. He started his own blogs Arts America and Gay in the Berkshires. Last season he left BFA to focus on a new site Berkshire on Stage. This is the first of several dialogues about his career in the arts and an overview of the critical condition.

For most of us right now its jingle bells. With the announcement of the 2011 Tanglewood schedule this week, however, Berkshire arts organizations are hard at work planning a fast launch to the season on the Fourth of July. But, like Abbott and Costello, come summer, let's hope they aren't wondering about "who's on first." There is desperate need for branding, pooled resources, and a marketing strategy for the Berkshires.

There is a domino impact for the arts in the Berkshires with the merger, over the next year, of the Colonial Theatre and the Berkshire Theatre Festival. A more dynamic Colonial increases the critical mass and leadership of Pittsfield as the matrix and hub of the arts and cultural economy. It is equidistant from the boundaries of the region that represent more than an hour to drive from one end to the other. Strengthening the thriving arts community in Pittsfield changes the paradigm for the region. It increases the potential for synergy or competition.

With a $21.6 million renovation the 107-year-old Colonial Theater reopened in Pittsfield in 2006. Running with an average of just under half a house, with too many dark nights, the Colonial has yet to live up to its potential. In a bold move it may partner with the venerable Berkshire Theatre Festival, as early as June, 2011 to produce what are likely to be popular musicals with bankable stars.

To kick off the “Live from NY’s 92nd Street Y” series, Barrington Stage Company is excited to host “Steve Martin with Deborah Solomon” on Monday, November 29 at 8pm.

There was a stark, minimalist staging of Antony and Cleopatra at Hartford Stage. The use of a trough of water to signify the Nile was discussed. Also the casting of Thompson and Kate Mulgrew as a middle aged couple with more emphasis on politics than passion.

In addition to a superb schedule of seminars, an evening with Alec Baldwin and Robert Osborne, features and short films the Williamstown Film Festival explored new approaches to independent films. A case in point was the final film Nice Guy Johnny. It was written and directed by Edward Burns on a minuscule budget of $25,000 in twelve days.

Poor little rich girl Paris Hilton was denied entry into Japan because of her recent drug bust in Vegas. After a tough night in a hotel, perhaps a Hilton and its VIP suite, she boarded her private jet and returned to party another day in the USA. Drugs and the stars. What else is new?

With three days of programming the arts and the creative community were underplayed in the recent Berkshire Forum. Although the arts are a major employer and drive the economy of the Berkshires just one session was devoted to this essential agenda. The too few seats at the table excluded any representatives from the four major theatre companies, or even Jacob's Pillow. Mass MoCA director Joe Thompson was included in another panel where he commented on the important Wilco Festival this summer.

The founders of the first Berkshire Forum Tina Chase and Mary Collins George intend to move forward with planning next year. Despite a thin attendance for the three days of lectures, panels and performances they report nearly breaking even. A daunting range and depth of information and insights was provided. It evoked expanding and redefining the branding of the Berkshires. A highlight among many was the dialogue with Boston Globe editor Martin Baron.

A three-day conference promising inspiring ideas and stimulating dialogue led by a remarkable network of business owners, economists, social innovators, technology visionaries, cultural enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and thought leadersâ€"bound by a devotion to region worth preserving and an interest in shaping its cultural and economic future.

During the recent, season ending, Tanglewood Jazz Festival we spoke with Mark Volpe, the managing director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He has had his hands full, yet again, with another medical absence by maestro, James Levine. Despite the concerns of some classical critics regarding the continuity and consistency of the orchestra, for the most part, the season has been successful. Even magical. But regarding non-classical programming, of which there is very little in the program, he was quoted making harsh remarks in the Berkshire Eagle. We asked him about that and were surprised but guardedly pleased by his response.

The enormously ambitious, weekend long, Solid Sound Festival, curated by Wilco at Mass MoCA was a complete success. What now follows is a critical analysis vital to the momentum for future arts and events development in North Adams. We put out a call for responses and ideas. These ranged from Mayor Dick Alcobright, Mass MoCA PR person, Katherine Myers, to arts leaders, politicians and artists. We invite your responses as well.

Up to 5,000 attended the Wilco Solid Sound Festival at Mass MoCA on Saturday. The day ended with a two hour plus Wilco performance on Joe's Field. The three day event winds down this afternoon with an acoustic set by Wilco leader Jeff Tweedy.

The New Stage Company above Beacon Cinema in Pittsfield is presenting A Thousand Clowns by Herb Gardner from July 15 to August 1. A Thousand Clowns is the hilarious and touching Tony Award winning play that was later adapted into an Academy Award winning film starring Jason Robards. It is the story of an unemployed television writer trying to adapt his cantankerous worldview in order to find work and retain custody of his 12-year-old nephew.

On Friday night of the Fourth of July weekend, with three sold out concerts by James Taylor and Carole King, Tanglewood got off to a slow start with Pops. There was a relatively sparse turnout. Too bad for those who missed the Tanglewood debut of the Tony Award winning singer Idina Menzel. She thrilled the audience with hits from Rent and Wicked. Doc Severinsen was typically attired in an outlandish outfit as he squeaked a few toots on trumpet. Keith Lockhart conducted a 125th anniversary salute to Pops.

It was a gorgeous summer day for the seasonal picnic of the Berkshire International Club. A group of some 70 members gathered around a cool and inviting pool. There was a fabulous spread of food to share including an array of sinful deserts. Many languages were spoken as friends exchanged tales of travel and adventure.

The launch of the Fourth of July arts season in the Berkshires will be like an explosion in a fireworks factory. There has never been a greater offering of superb and diverse performances. While three days of James Taylor and Carole King at Tanglewood sold out ages ago there are many other top options. Mass MoCA is going head to head with Tanglewood on Friday night. It has Richie Havens vs. The Pops. Barrington Stage and Williamstown Theatre Festival will duke it out with dueling Sondheim musicals. There is a ton of stuff at Shakespeare & Company including the opening of John Douglas Thompson in Richard III. Jacobs Pillow and Berkshire Theatre Festival are in the mix. We offer a complete rundown.

In just an eye blink we morphed from the last gasp of winter, two inches of snow on April 27, to a blast of Spring. The social season is heating up. On Wednesday night we attended Nancy Jane Fitzpatrick's Facebook party at Porches. Including a rare glimpse of Porches owner John S. Wadsworth, Jr. Thursday was ultra busy. We started with Mayor Dick Alcombright's spaghetti supper at the V.F.W. We moved on to several openings on Main Street. Ending with Martha Flood's new studio and shop on Eagle Street.

Jazz pianist Randy Weston has Berkshire roots. He started as a dishwasher at the legendary Music Inn where owner Stephanie Barber discovered him, Weston will perform at the Berkshire Museum on May 29. Ed Bride, the founder of Berkshires Jazz also announces highlights of the annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival October 8-21.

Roll Over Beethoven. Yes, rock is coming back to Tanglewood this summer. Well, kindah, with Crosby, Stills and Nash on September 1. Mid season jazz pianist Herbia Hancock will appear on August 9.

At a members' event and press conference today it took an hour just to read through the list of events from Broadway, Comedy, Cabaret, Rock, Children & Family events planned for the 2009-2010 season of the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. There is something for everyone and more than ever for year round Berkshire entertainment. Cut and paste this complete list of bookings.

Berkshire Theatre Festival's 2010 season features one world premiere, two musicals, and multiple classics from the theatrical canon. Critically-acclaimed directors David Auburn, Anders Cato, Kyle Fabel, Wes Grantom, Eric Hill, John Rando, and E. Gray Simons III will be charged with bringing this season of theatre that matters to life. Among the actors appearing this year in Stockbridge are Jayne Atkinson, David Chandler, Jeremy Davidson, Richard Easton, Michel Gill, and Randy Harrison.