Garman has good reason to be excited. Not only is BOF celebrating its 10th anniversary with Verdi’ s La Traviata, but it will be at the Mahaiwe.“ La Traviata is one of the world ' s most popular operas, and these famous operas remain popular because they’ re great,” says Garman about the production. " They are masterpieces with beautiful music and timeless stories.”
The season opens with Young Verdi in Love( April 27) at Saint James Place. This spring recital features up-and-coming performers and explores the many facets of love through the work of Giuseppe Verdi, composer of La Traviata and the man credited with transforming the world of Italian opera. On July 24, for the La Traviata Preview Talk, Garman and Co-Founder and Director of Production Jonathon Loy dish up details about the opera in general and the production specifically. The 10th Anniversary Concert( August 14) at the Mahaiwe celebrates BOF’ s past and present with a wide variety of music,
including favorites from Handel, Mozart, Puccini, and new works. The concert features members of the cast of La Traviata and guest artists with the BOF orchestra and chorus under the musical direction of Garman, who is thrilled to be at the Mahaiwe.“ It’ s a truly beautiful theater, and performers love the acoustics,” he says.
The main stage event, La Traviata, will be performed on August 23, 26, and 29 at the Mahaiwe, with pre-show lecture by dramaturg Cori Ellison( August 23). La Traviata stars Vanessa Becerra as Violetta Valéry, Joshua Blue as Alfredo Germont, and Darren Drone as Giorgio Germont.“ La Traviata’ s story of love and sacrifice is the tale of an escort who finally finds true love, a theme repeated in more modern tellings, in movies such as Moulin Rouge, Camille, and even Pretty Woman, in which Richard Gere actually takes Julia Roberts to see a performance of La Traviata,” says Garman.
The Foundry 2 Harris St., West Stockbridge thefoundryws. com 413-232-5222
While The Foundry is known for its diverse musical acts from around the world, this season includes comedians and funny plays.“ I am excited about the young talent this season and love supporting new work,” says Amy Brentano, founder and artistic director of The Foundry,“ We are thrilled to invite back the comedy shows that Berkshire audiences crave.”
Kenny Goes to Sleep( May 3) is a solo comedy show by Kenny Gray that explores the people, places, and inanimate objects of his dreams. The show won Best of Broadwater at the Hollywood Fringe. Happenstance Theater’ s Pocket Moxie( June 22) pays homage to the style and spirit of the Great Age of Vaudeville. It’ s teeming with hijinks, harmonies, nostalgic beauty, and physical comedy. Dog Funeral( June 27), written and performed by Zoe
May Holiday / June 2023 2025 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // // 57