BTG Fall 2013 Season Lineup

Tickets on sale to members/passholders August 20 and to general public on August 22


CALENDAR OF FALL SEASON 2013:

The Full Catastrophe: The Unicorn, Saturday, August 31 at 8pm, Sunday, September 1 at 2pm
Heather Maloney: The Garage, Friday, September 6 at 8pm
Mary and Edith: The Unicorn, See listing for performance dates and times
Dave Mason: The Colonial Theatre, Wednesday, October 9 at 7:30pm
Made in the Berkshires: See listing for locations and times, October 11-13
Wanda Houston Band: The Garage, Saturday, October 12 at 9pm
Pittsfield CityJazz Festival: The Colonial Theatre, Saturday, October 19 at 8pm
Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt: The Colonial Theatre, Wednesday, October 23 at 7:30pm
Romance, Soul and Rock ‘n Roll: The Colonial, Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 at 7:30pm
LoFi Sundays (RBIT): TBD
Gordon Lightfoot: The Colonial Theatre, Friday, November 8 at 8pm
Three Dog Night: The Colonial Theatre, Thursday, November 21 at 8pm
Mary Verdi: The Colonial Theatre, Saturday, November 30 at 7pm, Sunday, December 1 at 2pm
A Christmas Carol:The Colonial Theatre, See listing for performance dates and times

DETAILED 2013 FALL SEASON LISTING

A New Staged Reading Comedy by Michael Weller
The Full Catastrophe
Saturday, August 31 at 8pm
Sunday, September 1 at 2pm

at The Unicorn Theatre
Invited Audience

In The Full Catastrophe, Michael Weller has deftly captured the daily cut and thrust of married life—that pressure cooker of intimacy that can raise anger to a fever pitch in seconds, or bring two people suddenly and miraculously to a state of perfect bliss. His play is rich in comedy, intimacy, and truth.

Heather Maloney with Opening Act Ryan Hommel
at The Garage 
Friday, September 6 at 8pm
Tickets: Advance: $10, Day of Show: $12

Heather Maloney is the acclaimed singer-songwriter’s self-titled debut for Signature Sounds. The Western Massachusetts based artist has received numerous accolades for her startlingly soulful voice and literate songwriting exploring themes of spirituality, transformation, and impermanence. Maloney marks life lessons on this album, penning tuneful reminders to herself about the little triumphs of love on “Flutter,” the solace of redemption on “Turn Yourself Around,” and her firm belief that nothing’s colder than trying too hard to be cool, an idea that inspired “Fire for You.” 

Although Maloney’s influences are largely rooted in what she calls “adventurous folk,” she pushes outward on these 11 songs, digging deeper, and roaming wider, than she has before on songs populated by vivid characters that ultimately trace their way back to her. Critics are quickly discovering Maloney’s talent with No Depression raving “Her music is riveting, her voice adventurous, her lyrics thought-provoking…Maloney’s expansive range can handle Ella Fitzgerald-style jazz scat and adapt to Beatlesque pop or Joni Mitchell folk…” while Blurt Magazine wrote “Heather Maloney is one of the most talented tradition-based singer-songwriters I’ve heard in some time…the writing is stunning.”

Mary and Edith: Musings by Women a Century Apart 
With Kate Maguire, Mary Mott, and Kim Taylor in Stories by Mary Mott and Pulitzer Prize Winning Author, Edith Wharton
From Where I Sit 
by and with Mary Mott 
directed by Robert Moss
Roman Fever

by Edith Wharton
adapted by Eric Hill
directed by Kiera Naughton
with Kate Maguire and Kim Taylor 

at The Unicorn Theatre
Friday, October 4 at 7pm
Saturday, October 5 at 2pm
Sunday, October 6 at 2pm
Friday, October 11 at 7pm
Saturday, October 12 at 7pm
Sunday, October 13 at 2pm
Monday, October 14 at 2pm
Friday, October 18 at 7pm
Saturday, October 19 at 7pm
Sunday, October 20 at 2pm

Tickets: $30

Celebrate Berkshire women writers with an evening of stories old and new. Mary Mott will share stories of her life in the Berkshires, and Kate Maguire and Kim Taylor will perform a stage adaptation of a short story by one of the Berkshires’ most well known authors, Edith Wharton. Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Slade are old friends vacationing in Rome with their daughters. As the two reminisce, they begin to realize that the secrets they each hold about the past may not be as hidden as they thought. Based on the short story by Edith Wharton, Roman Fever explores the power of love and deception, all the while set on a beautiful Italian terrace. 

Dave Mason
at The Colonial Theatre
Wednesday, October 9 at 7:30pm
Tickets: A: $45 B: $35 C: $25

Dave Mason is a living rock legend who had a profound effect on the genre of rock and roll. He penned the Traffic hit “Feelin’ Alright.” The song became a global rock anthem and has been recorded by dozens of artists.

Dave Mason’s career spans several important rock eras, and encompasses his work as a producer, performer, songwriter, and consummate guitarist. In 2004, Mason was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with the groundbreaking group Traffic.

Made in the Berkshires Festival 
Friday, October 11 through Sunday, October 13
Tickets: $15 Single Event (On Sale September 11) • $50 Opening Night 
$100 Festival Pass (On Sale Now through September 10)
at The Colonial, The Unicorn, and The Garage

The 3rd Annual Made in the Berkshires Festival is a locally-grown event of new works featuring original theatre, live music, film, short stories and dance.

This year’s festival hosts a weekend of talented artists featuring an opening night performance premiering the original composition from Gerard Burney, “Cherry Cottage.” A new play from acclaimed playwright Chris Newbound, a short story from local author Kevin O’Hara, a dance performance from CATA with contributions by Dawn Lane and additional new works from talented area artists fill the weekend with an array of artistic talent.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 AT THE COLONIAL THEATRE:

Opening Night Celebration and Presentations starting at 6:30pm:

Film: The View from Hurlburt’s Hill by Ben Hillman 
Dance: Common Ground by Dawn Lane and CATA  
Poetry: Dragon Breath by CD Nelsen
Film: Fat Boy Needs Energy by Patrick Toole  
Short Story: A Night in the Heavens by Kevin O’Hara 
Film: The River by Sam Handel
Dance: Berkshire Pulse
Music: “Cherry Cottage Opus: Five Variants for Piano on an Old Congregational Hymn” The Premiere of Gerard McBurney’s original composition with music inspired by Cherry Cottage: The Story of an American House by director Dave Simonds and writer Hans Morris. The film tells the story about the history of Cherry Cottage, built in 1782.

Taste of The Berkshires (immediately following the opening night presentations)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12  AT THE UNICORN THEATRE:

Readings of Short Stories and Short Plays from 1pm to 3pm:

Short Play: Spatial Counterpoint by Frances Benn Hall
Short Play: Spread My Ashes Near the Rental House by Jane Denitz Smith
Short Story: Spaghetti With Beans by Jim Bracken
Short Play: Haunted by Andy Reynolds, directed by Hilary Deely
Short Story: One Big One by Albert Stern
Short Play: The Kite Tale by Tom Gladwell

4pm to 6pm 
Full Length Play: Old Family Friends by Chris Newbound, directed by Barbara Sims

7pm
Theatre: Mary and Edith: Musings by Women a Century Apart with Kate Maguire, Mary Mott, Kim Taylor, and Tara Franklin in stories by Mary Mott and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author, Edith Wharton

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 AT THE GARAGE
9pm Vocalist, Wanda Houston
The Wanda Houston Band plays favorite hits from the ’20s through the ’90s and brings a highly versatile and exuberant experience to the stage. This talented group includes: Peter Putnam (drummer and vocalist), Jeff Stevens (horns and vocalist), Robert Kelly (keys and vocalist) and Wanda Houston (vocalist).

With the adept arrangements of  music director Robert Kelly, the song stylings of Houston and Putnam and the trumpet improvisations of Stevens, the band winds through an evening of music that has audiences recounting memories and dancing to new ones. But, this is not your typical cover band. You will hear your favorites with a “twist” as they bring their own flavor to Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Beetles, Amy Winehouse and so much more. Come, listen, and enjoy the music of The Wanda Houston Band.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 AT THE COLONIAL THEATRE:

Short Films from 5pm to 6pm:
Priorities by Patrick Toole
Imaginarium by Ben Tobin
The Fall of Jack Morgans by Keith Winthrop 

Dance from 7pm to 8pm:
Berkshire Dance Theatre Contributing Artist: Chuck Paquette, Choreographer
Berkshire Pulse Dance Company Contributing Artist: Bettina Montano, Artistic Director 
“Common Ground” Contributing Artist: Dawn Lane and CATA

8pm to 9pm
Improvisational music with projections
 by Vikki True

Pittsfield CityJazz Festival: The Brubeck Brothers Quartet, plus the Berkshires Jazz Youth Ensemble

at The Colonial Theatre
Saturday, October 19 at 8pm
Tickets: A: $30  B: $18

The Brubeck Brothers Quartet is an exciting jazz group featuring two members of one of America’s most accomplished musical families, drummer Dan Brubeck and bassist/trombonist Chris Brubeck, guitarist Mike DeMicco, and pianist Chuck Lamb, complete this dynamic quartet.

An Acoustic Evening with Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt
at The Colonial Theatre
Wednesday, October 23 at 7:30pm

Tickets: A: $111.50 B: $96.50 C: $76.50 D: $56.50
($1.50 of the ticket price will be donated to the Oklahoma City Tornado Victims fund)

Lovett and Hiatt have been touring together periodically since 1989, delivering one of the most compelling and spontaneous concerts on the road.

Lyle Lovett has four GRAMMY Awards to his credit which include Best Male Country Vocal Performance in 1989 and Best Country Album for “The Road to Ensenada” in 1996. Lovett’s newest album, Natural Forces, was released in 2009. He’s known for his hits “If I Had a Boat,” “She’s No Lady,” and “Long Tall Texan.”

John Hiatt, a prolific songwriter and talented singer/guitarist, has 11 GRAMMY nominations and his numerous awards include induction into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting from the American Music Association. Hiatt has released 19 studio albums. His latest release, Dirty Jeans & Mudslide Hymns was released in 2011. He’s known for his hit songs, “Have a Little Faith In Me” and “Bring the Family.”

Romance, Soul & Rock ‘n Roll: Musical Flashback 
Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 at 7:30pm
Tickets: $20
at The Colonial Theatre

Romance, Soul & Rock ‘n Roll, invites you to Musical Flashback with band director David Pickard. Now in their 12th year, RSRR performs a musical scrapbook that will have audiences singing along. Join RSSR on this nostalgic journey of familiar songs and popular hits that span decades of America’s greatest tunes. With a live band and multi-talented cast, the show will be just as exciting and entertaining as ever! Tickets sell fast, so don’t wait—you won’t want to miss it! Proceeds benefit Berkshire Theatre Group.

LoFi Sundays at The Garage featuring: Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe
at The Garage
Dates and Times TBD

The Royal Berkshire Improvisational Troupe (RBIT) is a comedy improv group based in Western Massachusetts. Founded by Berkshire County native and actress Alexia Trainor, RBIT has been delighting audiences with its own brand of unscripted comedic mayhem since June of 2001. Performing a mix of theater games reminiscent of the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyways?, the group models its work on the teachings of renowned theater games/improvisation instructor Keith Johnstone. Through audience participation, RBIT’s mission is to create entertaining scenes which explore the boundaries of theater improvisation (impressive, huh?).

Gordon Lightfoot
at The Colonial Theatre
Friday, November 8 at 8pm
Tickets: A: $75 B: $60 C: $45

After 50 active years of hit song making and international album sales well into the multi-millions, it’s safe to say that esteemed singer-songwriter and musician Gordon Lightfoot resides with some very exclusive company atop the list of all-time greats.

Gordon Lightfoot has recorded 20 albums and received five GRAMMY nominations.
His songs have been aired regularly for 50 years, earning him Radio Singles Chart Positions in North America achieved by few others. Lightfoot’s radio hits in the USA have earned Five #1s, Five Top 10s and Thirteen Top 40 hits.

His song catalog is incredibly vast and includes such immortals as “Early Morning Rain,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Carefree Highway,” “Sundown,” “(That’s What You Get) For Lovin Me,” “The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald,” “Cold On The Shoulder,” “Canadian Railroad Trilogy,” “Ribbon Of Darkness,” “Beautiful,” “Song For A Winter’s Night,” “Shadows,” “Rainy Day People,” “Did She Mention My Name,” and “Summertime Dream” to name a few.

Three Dog Night
at The Colonial Theatre
Thursday, November 21 at 8pm
Tickets: A: $125 B: $95 C: $75 D: $50

Legendary music icons, Three Dog Night, celebrate their 4th decade bringing with them some of the most astonishing statistics in popular music. In the years 1969 through 1974, no other group achieved more top 10 hits, moved more records or sold more concert tickets than Three Dog Night. This iconic band’s hits wind through the fabric of pop culture today, whether on the radio where they are heard day in and day out, in TV commercials or in major motion pictures—songs like “Mama Told Me (Not To Come),” “Joy to the World,” “Black and White,” “Shambala,” and “One” serve to heighten our emotions and crystallize Three Dog Night’s continuing popularity.

This Grammy-nominated band is not content resting on their legacy alone. Always working to expand their audience, Three Dog Night have embraced 21st century music technology. New fans buy Three Dog Night’s music on iTunes as well as at record stores. In fact, their releases from this decade alone have sold well over a million copies and the band’s continued popularity has landed “The Best of Three Dog Night: 20th Century Masters” on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart for 9 of the last 12 months.

Mary Verdi: Christmas at the Colonial
at The Colonial Theatre
Saturday, November 30 at 7pm
Sunday, December 1 at 2pm 
Tickets: Adults: $20 Children 16 and under: $10

Every year, Mary Verdi’s Christmas at the Colonial show invites families from across the Berkshires to a very special night of nostalgia and holiday celebration. Mary created this show for all to enjoy an unforgettable performance that includes a sing-along of old favorites, dancing, a children’s choir, bell choir, and a full band with strings and horns featuring area performers.

A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens • adapted by Eric Hill • directed by Eric Hill
Tickets: TBD
at The Colonial Theatre

Saturday, December 14 at 7pm
Sunday, December 15 at 2pm
Friday, December 20 at 7pm
Saturday, December 21 at 7pm
Sunday, December 22 at 2pm
Friday, December 27 at 7pm
Saturday, December 28 at 7pm
Sunday, December 29 at 2pm

Revel in the joy and redemptive power of Christmas as told in the timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, the infamous miser who is reformed and shown the error of his ways by four spirits. Journey back to Victorian England and experience the classic story filled with terrific turns and infused with holiday music.

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News & Articles

From the Archive: Eva LeGallienne

By: Katie Birenboim (She/Her/Hers)   Devoted fans of BTG may gasp to discover that until doing a first round of research in the amazing BTG archives, I had never heard … Read On

Our very own Allison Rachelle Bayles will be one of the awesome women honored at Song and Dance! A Celebration of Women of the Berkshires! Allison is the Director of Education here at BTG and we can’t wait to honor her during this celebration! 

https://buff.ly/3ldCPGe
The Secret Garden: Spring Version, is a new adaptation of the acclaimed Broadway musical abridged for younger audiences in an enhanced concert-style production that is as beautiful and spirited as the original.
This enchanting classic of children’s literature of hope and perseverance is reimagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Marsha Norman. Orphaned in India, 11-year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his disabled son Colin. The estate’s many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the “Dreamers,” spirits from Mary’s past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing The Secret Garden‘s compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal. Join us July 29 and 30 for this beautiful story.
Two-time Tony Award nominated actor, Kate Baldwin, joins the cast of “What the Constitution Means to Me!” This boundary-breaking play breathes new life into the Constitution and imagines how it will shape the next generation of Americans.
Kristen van Ginhoven, who will direct this co-production with WAM Theatre, connected to the play as an activist and as a former speech and debate coach for the International High School in Brussels, Belgium. “As an artist, activist, and human, I find myself yearning for more collaboration, accountability, and engagement.” van Ginhoven explained, “This play answers that call with humor, intelligence and poignancy. I look forward to using my past experience as a
speech and debate coach while having the privilege and joy of directing this co-production.”
It’s National Women’s Day! To celebrate we are going to share a little about our upcoming event, “Song and Dance! A Celebration of Women of the Berkshires!” The Berkshires serve as home to a number of women artists and women behind the scenes who are making a positive difference in our area, and celebrated musician Wanda Houston is looking forward to shining a spotlight on some of them. Houston spearheads a concert that will simultaneously pay tribute and entertain, fulfilling one of her own personal dreams. "For the last five years, I've thought about doing this show," recently explained Houston. "I wanted to find a way to celebrate women who work so hard to make the Berkshires a better place for us all." Highlights of the concert promise to be Wanda Houston singing "You make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman," a brief monologue about Elizabeth Freeman spoken live with choreographed movement, the full cast opening the show together, and much, much, more. 
Join us March 24 for this celebration of amazing women! 
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link in bio!
We are getting excited for our St. Patrick’s Day festivities here at BTG! The Young Dubliners, an American rock band who have been recording albums and touring since 1993 and whose style of music has come to be called Celtic Rock for the fusion of Irish traditional music with modern rock ‘n’ roll! They will be joined by Kilashandra, an award-winning Albany, NY–based band. They began meeting in fall 2021 as a group of friends getting together to play Celtic music in pubs and at regional Irish Festivals. Get your tickets now and join us for this awesome concert!
☀We announced our full summer season! We have some amazing shows coming up at BTG and we can’t wait for you to be a part of it! Follow the link in our bio to grab your tickets now!☀
UPDATE! Children's Auditions have been postponed to tomorrow night, March 1. Families that have registered should check their emails for more details. Thank you!
This is going to be SUCH a fun time! Twenty random volunteers from the audience will be put under hypnosis, their inhibitions evaporated and their minds no longer their own. The contestants will be methodically and hysterically whittled down until the five best are left on stage when one of the world’s leading improvisers enters! Colin Mochrie will take the stage to improvise with the top five while they are still under hypnosis, which will turn the show into an improv extravaganza! This show is March 25 and tickets are on sale now!
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link in bio!
The band is joyous, and their stage is full of smiles and laughter, both during and between songs. Max Creek is engaging, sculpting lengthy shows on-the-fly from their 200+ song catalog with rockers, ballads, deep jams and crowd sing-alongs. Furthermore, Creek is, most definitely, a family. 40-odd years in, the audience is a multi-generational stew—it’s not uncommon to witness old-school “Creek Freeks” getting down with their teenage (or older!) kids. Grab your tickets for April 7 now!
The Togetherness Project was created with the aim of building bridges through the power of art between teens and young adults in the Arts in Recovery for Youth (AIRY) Program and local residents in need of support. The Project involved AIRY members visiting and making art in Pittsfield with women Veterans at Soldier On, women and children survivors of domestic abuse at Elizabeth Freeman Center, and adolescents of color in the R.O.P.E. program (Rites of Passage and Empowerment). Artworks include drip pour paintings, Satori circles, watercolor triptychs and symbolic self portrait paintings.
Artwork will be on view March 10 through April 6 with an opening reception on Tuesday March 14 from 4 to 6 pm.
We recognize that Ukraine has been fighting for democracy for one year today. We hope for a better year ahead.  Our hearts are heavy for all souls lost.
May Miller was an award-winning playwright, poet, and professor who first came to prominence during the Harlem Renaissance. Miller was the most published female playwright of the Harlem Renaissance and had nine of her twenty plays selected for publication during the height of her playwriting career. Miller helped establish the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, serving as Chair of the Literature Panel for the Commission’s first three terms. From her retirement from teaching in 1943 until her death in 1995, Miller dedicated herself to writing poetry, publishing nine books of poems, and one edition of collected works.
This Saturday at 7:30 we've got "Tapestry, The Carole King Songbook" starring Suzanne O Davis. She'll be playing all of your favorite songs live on stage!
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link in bio!
Highlighting Berkshire women in the Arts, this show features performances by Gina Coleman, Olga Dunn Dance Co., Wanda Houston, Mary Ann Palermo and The All-Star Women’s Band, along with more of our extraordinary region’s unsung female heroes in the art, business, social and medical communities. Join us March 24 at 7:30pm for an evening of celebrating women of the Berkshires!
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link in bio!
This Saint Patrick’s Day we will be feeling extra lucky! We’ve got The Young Dubliners with special guest Kilashandra and Scoil Rince Bréifne Ó Ruairc, the Irish Dance Team from right here in Pittsfield! The dancers will be performing before the show in The Garage from 6:30pm to 7:20pm!
We all need a good laugh, am I right? This show will do the trick! Grab your tickets now for the Ivy League of Comedy Tour on March 3rd.
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link in bio!
Zora Neale Hurston was an American author and filmmaker. Her works focused on the struggles of being an African American woman and her writings went unrecognized for decades. She passed away in 1960 but between 2001 and 2018 she had 3 of her works released.
BTG has two audition opportunities coming up! Find out more through the link in our bio! 🤩
Angelina Weld Grimké was a poet, dramatist, radical feminist and lesbian icon. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1880 and raised in a biracial family with a considerable history of social activism. She is widely considered to be the first woman of color to have a play professionally produced in the United States. Since her death, Grimké has been acknowledged as a founder of the Harlem Renaissance.
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#celebrateblackhistory
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