Beginnings of the Berkshire Theatre
The Berkshire Playhouse Blossoms As we head into the ninetieth year of production, it is important to remember the storied beginnings of Berkshire Theatre Festival. Eva Le Gallienne was integral … Read On
The Berkshire Playhouse Blossoms As we head into the ninetieth year of production, it is important to remember the storied beginnings of Berkshire Theatre Festival. Eva Le Gallienne was integral … Read On
(L to R): Alexander Kirkland, Donald Meek, and F. Cowles Strickland in rehearsal for Rip Van Winkle, 1929. The first directors of The Berkshire Playhouse were recruited by Walter L. … Read On
Judy White, Paul Ballantyne, David Vaughan, and George Vogel in The Happiest Days of Your Life at Berkshire Theatre, 1960. Photo credit Louis Hansen. Judy’s Journey with Berkshire Theatre: When I arrived … Read On
(L to R): Billy Miles, S. N. Behrman, and Sidney Howard at the opening of Declassewith Ethel Barrymore, 1935. William “Billy” Miles was the Producing Director of the Berkshire Playhouse from … Read On
Matthew’s Journey with Berkshire Theatre: My first experiences with the Berkshire Theatre Festival date back to the summer seasons of 1966, ‘67, and ‘68. My father (Arthur Penn) and Bill … Read On
David Adkins in Thoreau at BTG, 2015. Photo by Michael J Riha. My Story How did I find Stockbridge? Maybe it was just good luck. Or was it chance? Or was I … Read On
Watercolor of the Unicorn Theatre (before its 1990s renovation) by an unknown artist from the BTF archives. Fred’s Journey with the BTF: I began my association with the Berkshire Theatre … Read On
Dave’s Journey with the BTG Dave Chapman spent forty years working in the arts. He worked in theatre and dance doing everything from maintenance to lighting design. His love of … Read On
Pittsfield, MA— The Feigenbaum Foundation, widely-known for its respect and love of Pittsfield and the Berkshires, and Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG), a performance arts and education resource in Pittsfield and … Read On
President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts: Stephanie Cutter – Member, President’s Committee … Read On
Rodgers and Hammerstein`s Pipe Dream, the rarely produced musical created by the most iconic duo in musical theatre, has arrived at The Unicorn Theatre and is running through August 31! 🐚🌊
Tickets are selling out fast, so get your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org.
(Photos by Caelan Carlough)
Jul 27
BTG would like to thank everyone who helped us bring The Second Annual David Grover Scholarship Concert to Balderdash Cellars this past Friday. We are grateful for Kathy Jo Grover, Mike Wartella, Michael Fabrizio and the members of BTG`s Youth Choir for making this concert truly special.
(Photos by Allison Rachele Bayles)
Jul 25
Just like that, Berkshire Theatre Group is already saying goodbye to Mel Brooks` Young Frankenstein at The Colonial Theatre. We wish this incredible, energetic and extremely talented cast and crew well as they now head to Bay Street Theater to bring Transylvania Heights to back to life again in the second run of the show!
(Opening night photos by Caelan Carlough.)
Jul 24
There are only a few more days to catch the hit comedy musical Young Frankenstein at The Colonial Theatre! Only running until this Sunday, critics and audience members alike have been raving about this monstrously entertaining experience from the genius of comedian and director Mel Brooks! ⚡
Tickets are selling fast and time is running out, so get your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org.
Jul 20
Yesterday, BTG`s Youth Chorus, along with Kathy Jo Grover and Mike Wartella, gathered to rehearse for our Second Annual David Grover Scholarship Concert this Friday at Balderdash Cellars!
Tickets are limited, so get your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org.
(Photo by Allison Rachele Bayles)
Jul 17
On July 19, join us at Balderdash Cellars for The Second Annual David Grover Scholarship Event “Here We Go Around Again”, an unforgettable evening of live music and entertainment honoring the legacy of the late David Grover, a dedicated supporter of BTG’s educational initiatives.
This evening of heartfelt music and celebration will feature Michael Fabrizio, and special guests Broadway performer and BTG Alum Michael Wartella, Artistic Associate of Education and David’s beloved wife Kathy Jo Grover and members of the Berkshire Theatre Group Youth Chorus. All proceeds directly benefit BTG PLAYS! year-round education programs and summer camps, ensuring that the arts continue to thrive in our region.
Tickets are limited, so grab yours today at berkshiretheatre.org
Jul 6
The Jewish Plays Project is thrilled to announce that The Last Yiddish Speaker by Deborah Zoe Laufer has won the 13th National Jewish Playwriting Contest, which will be featured in a workshop during the Festival of New Jewish Plays at the Colonial!
A magical-realist dystopia set in a fictional future in which the insurrection was successful, an ancient Yiddish-speaking woman is deposited on Hannah and Paul`s doorstep, where they have to choose whether to hide her or save themselves.
Get your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org
Jun 26
From June 28-July 28, BTG will be showcasing Sharing Our Cultures, an AIRY Art Show, at the Colonial Theatre. All art pieces in the show are created by teens and young adults from the Arts in Recovery for Youth (AIRY) program, an arts based youth suicide prevention program in downtown Pittsfield run by Founder and Art Therapist Marney Schorr.
Inspired by the art of other cultures, Sharing Our Cultures features masks and scrolls in the style of Japanese and Mexican Folk art, paintings and wall hangings in the style of African art, origami miniatures, clay works, inks on yupo paper, and a variety of paintings, including a four foot group mural. The Opening reception is Friday, June 28 from 5pm to 7pm. To learn more about AIRY, please visit www.airyedu.com.
Jun 24
"David Auburn, faced with the question [of] how can you approach, in this day and age, an antique three-act play with 28 roles, most of them white men, answered it brilliantly. The cross-casting, not only color and gender-blind but conscious, made the play and its themes so much richer, thicker and compelling. And turning the nowadays-awkward three-act structure into a conceptual positive was a stroke of genius. An old chestnut becomes a golden apple. Plus, the cast is so strong, old and new faces alike, and the stage energy is terrific." - Chris Rohman, retired theatre critic from Valley Advocate
Don`t delay, so get your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org!
(Photos by David Dashiell)
Jun 22
Linda Gehringer was not only a truly great actor, but she was always the center of calm and joy in the room. She was an amazing talent and beautiful person who performed in several of BTG`s productions, including The Batting Cage (1999), I Saw My Neighbor on the Train and I Didn`t Even Smile (2015) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2016). We are saddened by this loss, and will always remember her spirit.
Jun 21
This past Saturday, BTG celebrated the opening of Abe Lincoln in Illinois, running now through July 14 at the Unicorn. We are beyond proud of the work that our joyful, talented cast and crew have put in bringing the story of such a legendary American figure to life on the Unicorn stage 🎩
(Photos by Caelan Carlough)
Jun 19