A selective, curatorial view of the cultural highlights of the upcoming weekend in the greater Berkshire region.
A highly selective preview of cultural events taking place this weekend in the greater Berkshire region, including two new-music festivals; cutting-edge dance; theatrical premieres; cabaret; comedy; plus a whole lot more. BANG ON A CAN to PLAY ENO’S ‘AIRPORTS’ at MASS MoCA (NORTH ADAMS, Mass.) – The Bang on a Can All-Stars will…
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Legendary Texas rocker Alejandro Escovedo brings his band, the Sensitive Boys, and his distinctive catalog of original roots-rock songs to Club Helsinki Hudson on Sunday, July 24, at 8pm. While widespread name recognition may have evaded Alejandro Escovedo over the years, he certainly has garnered the attention of a diverse array of…
(LENOX, Mass.) – The U.S. premiere of Dream of the Song for countertenor, women’s voices – the Lorelei Ensemble – and orchestra, a TMC75 commission by English composer George Benjamin, is a highlight of the 2016 Festival of Contemporary Music at Tanglewood. The piece will be performed in the festival’s concluding concert on Monday, July…
(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – For one night only, cabaret megastars Ann Hampton Callaway and Amanda McBroom will share the spotlight in “Divalicious” at Barrington Stage Company on Monday, July 25, at 8pm. In addition to being great vocalists, Callaway and McBroom are also acclaimed songwriters, and the pair will be accompanied by yet another great songwriter,…
(STOCKBRIDGE, Mass,) – Judd Hirsch stars in the world premiere staging of “The Stone Witch” by Shem Bitterman at the Fitzpatrick Main Stage at Berkshire Theatre Group, running from Thursday, July 21, through Saturday, August 20. In the play, Peter, an aspiring children’s book author is sent to the cabin of his idol, Simon, a…
(CHESTER, Mass.) – “Oh God,” by the acclaimed and beloved late Israeli playwright Anat Gov, gets its regional premiere at Chester Theatre Company (CTC) in a limited run from July 14 through Sunday, July 24. “Oh God” centers around a therapy session between a very depressed God and Ella, a therapist and single mother…
(SOUTH EGREMONT, Mass.) – Comedian and actress Lynne Koplitz, a star of Comedy Central, will bring her raucous, live stand-up to the Barn at Egremont Inn on Friday, July 22, for two shows at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Joining Koplitz are rising star Will Garré and show host Justin Leveille, a comic and comedy filmmaker. Koplitz works…
(ANNANDALE-on-HUDSON) – A new, fully staged production of the rarely produced opera “Iris” (1898), a darkly expressionistic forerunner of “Madama Butterfly” by Puccini’s close contemporary Pietro Mascagni, will have five performances in the Fisher Center at Bard College as part of Bard SummerScape from Friday, July 22, through Sunday, July 31. Conceived expressly for SummerScape 2016, Bard’s…
(BECKET, Mass.) – ZviDance performs its new, evening-length work, “Escher/Bacon/Rothko,” in the Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob’s Pillow from Wednesday, July 20, through Sunday, July 24. This riveting, mixed-medium program draws inspiration from distinguished visual artists of the 20th century to question notions of modernity. “Escher/Bacon/Rothko” provides an intelligent visual experience for audiences as…
(NORTH ADAMS, Mass.) – The Bang on a Can All-Stars will perform Brian Eno’s pioneering ambient work, “Music for Airports,” in the Hunter Center at MASS MoCA on Saturday, July 23, at 8pm, as part of the program for the 15th annual Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival. The groundbreaking work will be given…
