Pittsfield, MA– Berkshire Theatre Group and Artistic Director/CEO Kate Maguire are excited to announce additions to the fall and winter seasons, as well as casting for the Fall production of David Auburn’s Lost Lake at The Unicorn Theatre.
Kate Maguire says, “We are thrilled to present Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner, David Auburn’s, Lost Lake, as our Fall production. David has an affection for creating complex characters in the midst of turmoil, characters that are flawed, fragile and real. Directed by the talented Daisy Walker, this cast will feature stage, film and TV actors, Lynnette R. Freeman and Quentin Maré.”
Quentin Maré as Hogan in “Lost Lake.”
Lynnette R. Freeman as Veronica in “Lost Lake.”
Previously announced music at The Colonial Theatre includes Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (8/17) and New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players I’ve Got A Little Twist (8/18), will be joined by: Live from Laurel Canyon: Songs & Stories of American Folk Rock (9/30), featuring music from Carole King, James Taylor, Crosby Stills & Nash and more; Pittsfield CityJAZZ Festival: The Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Cuban Experience (10/14); The Airplane Family & Friends with Live Dead ‘69 (10/27); Ain’t Wastin’ Time: A Berkshire Tribute to Gregg Allman with Rev Tor’s Steal Your Peach Band & Friends (11/30); Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience (3/8/18) and Ladysmith Black Mambazo (3/9/18).
As previously announced, fresh off of her Broadway debut (Marvin’s Room), comedian Janeane Garofalo will headline the Colonial on Saturday, October 21.
BTG’s On The Stage Series, bringing both audience and artist on the Colonial stage, will continue on Saturday, September 23 with Berkshire Medium, Pam Ellis.
Comedy at The Garage features the popular $5 Comedy Garage. On Thursdaynights, for only $5, The Comedy Garage presents acclaimed comedians from near and far, including Jordan Carlos (9/21), Morgan Miller (10/19) and Rojo Perez (11/16). After the show, head down the street to Methuselah Bar & Lounge and show your Comedy Garage ticket for a $5 beverage.
Tickets may be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street, Pittsfield; at the Fitzpatrick Main Stage Ticket Office at 83 East Main Street, Stockbridge; by calling (413) 997-4444 or online atwww.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org. Ticket Offices are open Monday–Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-2pm or on any performance day from 10am until curtain. All plays, schedules, casting and prices are subject to change.
2017/2018 SEASON ADDITIONS
Lost Lake
by David Auburn
directed by Daisy Walker
at The Unicorn Stage
The Larry Vaber Stage
BTG’s Stockbridge Campus, 6 East Street
Previews: Thursday, September 28 and Friday, September 29
Press Opening/Opening Night: Saturday, September 30 at 7pm
Talkback: Thursday, October 5 after 7pm performance
Closing: Sunday, October 22 at 2pm
Sponsored by: Lead Sponsor, Bobbie Hallig; The Shubert Foundation; Furlano and Arace, PC; The Westfield News Group and Massachusetts Cultural Council
Written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winner, David Auburn (Proof), Lost Lakeis an engrossing, evocative play. Part drama, part melancholy comedy, Lost Lakefollows the story of Veronica, played by Lynnette R. Freeman (On The Outs) and Hogan, played by Quentin Maré (Tom Stoppard’s Rock N Roll). Veronica, hopelessly in need of an escape from life’s uphill battle, takes her children to a lakeside rental. Unfortunately for Veronica, not only is the property less than ideal, it also includes a bedraggled and secluded estate owner, Hogan. Both fighting their own battles, the two outcasts find complicated comfort in their shared isolation. Directed by Daisy Walker (Assistant Director on Broadway’s Jersey Boys, The Farnsworth Invention, Dracula: The Musical), this stirring, unexpected and visceral play is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award.
Live from Laurel Canyon: Songs & Stories of American Folk Rock
at The Colonial Theatre
Saturday, September 30 at 8pm
Tickets: A: $40, B: $25
Live From Laurel Canyon: Songs & Stories of American Folk Rock is a journey through a special time in American music, paying homage to the musical legacy of Laurel Canyon. A gathering of friends, and the interpretation of classic songs with narrated stories from this special neighborhood, its intersection with Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, and most important era in music; an era that defined a generation and whose relevance transcended and influenced the generations to come. This concert will include music from The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Carole King, James Taylor, The Mamas & the Papas, Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills & Nash, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Brown, Jim Morrison, Neil Young and more!
Pittsfield CityJAZZ Festival: The Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Cuban Experience
at The Colonial Theatre
Saturday, October 14, at 7:30pm
The Afro-Cuban Experience, led by Dizzy Gillespie’s long-term bassist, John Lee, showcases the unique rhythms and well-loved melodies (such as “Manteca” and “Tin Tin Deo”) of Gillespie’s library of Cu-Bop, which he developed with Chano Pozo in the ’40s and ’50s. Their repertoire also explores the broader world of Latin-American music. The musicians are drawn from the high-calibre talent that frequent the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band and All Star groups, such as trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, saxophonist Sharel Cassity, Brazilian pianist/vocalist Abelita Mateus, drummer Tommy Campbell and percussionist Roger Squitero.
Ain’t Wastin’ Time: A Berkshire Tribute to Gregg Allman
with Rev Tor’s Steal Your Peach Band & Friends
Thursday, November 30 at 7:30pm
An all star lineup of regional and local artists gather to celebrate the life, spirit and music of the legendary Gregg Allman, hosted by Rev Tor’s Steal Your Peach Band.
Gregg Allman, who passed away in May of this year, was a founding member and lead singer of the legendary Allman Brothers Band. His career spanned five decades, with many hits such as “Sweet Melissa,” “Midnight Rider” and “One Way Out.” Gregg Allman was considered one of the pioneers of southern rock, blues and soul music
This event is hosted by Rev Tor’s Steal Your Peach Band. This all star group features Tor Krautter, Andy Crawford and Drew Costa of Rev Tor/Last Waltz Live, along with Dan Teichert of Arlo Guthrie/Xavier, Brian O’Connell of Uncle Sammy/Gordon Stone Band and Jeremy Walz of Soul Sky. These artists will serve as the back up band for the regional and local guest artist celebrating the music of Gregg Allman.
Patrons are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food donation of any size to be delivered directly to a local food pantry after the show. Guest artists are asked to perform in support of the food drive.
Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience
at The Colonial Theatre
Thursday, March 8 at 7:30pm
Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience is the nation’s most innovative and unique show utilizing the works of The Beatles. This amazing group, anchored by brothers Billy, Ryan and Matthew McGuigan, perform as themselves and leave the song choices completely in the hands of the audience. This is done through request cards that audience members fill out prior to the show. On those cards, the audience member only needs to fill out three things: their name, their favorite Beatles song and the reason why they chose that song. The cards are collected and two minutes before the show begins, a set list is created based upon the songs chosen and the reasons that the audience members chose those songs make up the narrative of the evening.
“It isn’t merely the grace and power of their dancing or the beauty of their singing that rivets the attention, but the sheer joy and love that emanates from their being.” -Paul Simon
The Grammy Award-winning acappella ensemble, Ladysmith Black Mambazo captures South Africa’s historic struggle in an inspiring repertoire that melds the tradition of Zulu harmony, singing songs born in the mines during the apartheid era, with hints of gospel. Whether performing at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration, in Disney’s The Lion King, or alongside Paul Simon on his album Graceland, Ladysmith Black Mambazo creates beautiful harmonies that have brought its unique sound to international prominence. The rich uplifting sounds and effortlessly synchronized dancing convey universal themes of faith, hope and peace, yielding a performance of pure, uninhibited joy.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo was founded in the early 1960s by Joseph Shabalala, then a teenage farm boy living on the lands just outside the small town of Ladysmith, South Africa. Joseph incorporated the town into the name he would give his group to honor his family history. As well, the word Black is a reference to the black oxen, the strongest of all farm animals; and Mambazo, the Zulu word for chopping axe, a symbol of the group’s ability to “chop down” any singing rival who might challenge them. So began the fifty-plus year career of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s most recent CD, Walking In The Footsteps Of Our Fathers, was nominated for Best World Music Album of 2016, marking the group’s 17th Grammy Award-nomination, in addition to its four wins.
CALENDAR OF 2017/2018 PRESENTED SHOWS
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes: at The Colonial Theatre. Thursday, August 17 at 8pm. Tickets: A: $50 • B: $30.
New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players I’ve Got A Little Twist:
at The Colonial Theatre. Friday, August 18 at 8pm. Tickets: Premium: $45 • A: $35 • B: $25.
$5 Comedy Garage: Jordan Carlos: at The Garage (Colonial Theatre Lobby).Thursday, September 21 at 7:30pm. Tickets: $5, Sponsored by: The Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.
On the Stage Series: A Night with Pam Ellis, The Berkshire Medium: at The Colonial. Saturday, September 23 at 8pm. Tickets: $35.
Live from Laurel Canyon: at The Colonial Theatre. Saturday, September 30 at 8pm. Tickets: A: $40 • B: $25.
Pittsfield CityJAZZ Festival: The Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Cuban Experience:
at The Colonial Theatre. Saturday, October 14, at 7:30pm. Tickets: A: $38 • B: $23.
$5 Comedy Garage: Morgan Miller:
at The Garage (Colonial Theatre Lobby). Thursday, October 19 at 7:30pm. Tickets: $5,
Sponsored by: The Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.
Janeane Garofalo: at The Colonial Theatre. Saturday, October 21 at 8pm. Tickets: $39.50.
The Airplane Family & Friends with Live Dead ‘69:
at The Colonial Theatre. Friday, October 27 at 8pm. Tickets: A: $50 • B: $25.
$5 Comedy Garage: Rojo Perez: at The Garage (Colonial Theatre Lobby).
Thursday, November 16 at 7:30pm. Tickets: $5, Sponsored by: The Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.
Ain’t Wastin’ Time: A Berkshire Tribute to Gregg Allman
with Rev Tor’s Steal Your Peach Band & Friends: at The Colonial Theatre.
Thursday, November 30 at 7:30pm. Tickets: $27.50.
Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience:
at The Colonial Theatre. Thursday, March 8 at 7:30pm. Tickets: A: $35 • B: $20.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo: at The Colonial Theatre. Friday, March 9 at 8pm.Tickets: A: $45 • B: $30.
About Berkshire Theatre Group
The Colonial Theatre, founded in 1903, and Berkshire Theatre Festival, founded in 1928, are two of the oldest cultural organizations in the Berkshires. In 2010, under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire, the two organizations merged to form Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG). Berkshire Theatre Group’s mission is to support wide ranging artistic exploration and acclaimed performances in theatre, dance, music and entertainment. Every year, BTG produces and presents performances to over 68,000 attendees and, through our Educational Program, serves over 13,000 Berkshire County schoolchildren annually. BTG’s celebrated stages reflect the history of the American theatre; they represent a priceless cultural resource for the community.
Berkshire Theatre Group Announces Additions to the Fall and Winter Seasons Pittsfield, MA– Berkshire Theatre Group and Artistic Director/CEO Kate Maguire are excited to announce additions to the fall and winter seasons, as well as casting for the Fall production of David Auburn’s Lost Lake at The Unicorn Theatre.
