music
B y A n a s t a s i a S t a n m e y e r
Spring Awakens
EXPLORE ALL THE BERKSHIRES HAS TO OFFER !
The shoulder season is becoming a thing here in the Berkshires . This seemingly quieter time of year is the perfect time to discover new exhibitions , concerts , plays , talks , and readings . We have a lot here to get you going , and check Berkshire Magazine ’ s website regularly ( berkshiremag . com ) for the latest calendar listings of upcoming events . You ’ ll find there is plenty to stimulate your intellect , get you dancing in the aisles , and applaud for more .
Barrington Stage ’ s 10X10 New Play Festival continues through March 10 at the St . Germain Stage at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center in Pittsfield . The 13th edition features Barrington Stage ’ s stalwarts Peggy Pharr Wilson , Robert Zukerman , and Matt Neely ; the plays are directed by Matt Penn and Alan Paul . ( barringtonstageco . org )
Looking for a book filled with drama with a Berkshire connection ? We ’ ve got you covered . The Reef was published in 1912 , at the end of Edith Wharton ’ s affair with journalist Morton Fullerton . The novel , which explores the sexual passions and jealousy of a mature woman , is now being developed into an opera by two stars of the New York musical world : librettist Joan Ross Sorkin and Anthony Davis , a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer whose X : The Life and Times of Malcolm X highlighted the Metropolitan Opera ’ s 2023-24 season . Berkshire Opera Festival is partnering with Sorkin and Davis to produce the first workshop performance of their newly completed adaptation of The Reef on April 10 at Merkin Hall in New York City . Before the stage debut , The Mount ’ s book club will be reading The Reef , and on March 21 at 4 p . m ., its online discussion will include Sorkin on how they will adapt and update the 112-year-old book to excite and engage modern audiences . ( berkshireoperafestival . org , edithwharton . org )
The Berkshire International Film Festival ( BIFF ) is holding its second series of American auteur film directors . Howie Arkans once again curates discussions each month followed by a film by the auteur . The series , Cinematic Adolescence : Coming of Age Films by Auteurs , includes two more films coming up in March and April : works by Greta Gerwig and Taiki Waititi . The screenings are held Saturdays at 3 p . m . at the Duffin Theater in Lenox . On March 23 , Lady Bird by Greta Gerwig will be screened , and on April 20 ,
Jojo Rabbit by Taiki Waititi will be shown . Arkans will introduce the film , and it will be followed by a discussion . Arkans will propose some questions to help prompt the discussion , as well as answer any questions and criticisms . The concept of the auteur — the filmmaker as an artist and author of his or her works — began in Paris in the late- ’ 50s to - ’ 60s , where filmmakers and critics reacted to the industrialization of filmmaking in the United States and Europe . ( biffmaauteur . eventive . org )
GEORGIA NERHEIM
Bria Skonberg at the Mahaiwe on March 23 .
The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington has some impressive live performances coming up . Blues rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Samantha Fish will perform on March 16 , at 8 p . m ., with an opening act performance by Sgt . Splendor . Don ’ t miss Sing & Swing , a Jazz at Lincoln Center Production featuring Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack III on March 23 at 8 p . m . This new and highly anticipated touring project from Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents celebrates the Great American Songbook in all of its playful and sophisticated glory , brought to life by two of this generation ’ s brightest stars . Each armed with prodigious trumpet talent and vocal charm , co-music directors Skonberg and Benack will relive and reimagine some of the classic partners in jazz and popular song , including Ella Fitzgerald , Judy Garland , Bing Crosby , Dean Martin , and Peggy Lee . Featuring songs by George Gershwin , Duke Ellington , Cole Porter , and Irving Berlin , this will be an evening of singin ’ and swingin ’ with Bria and Benny . Performers also include Jocelyn Gould on guitar , Miki Yamanaka on piano , Charles Goold on drums , and Mark Lewandowski on bass .
There ’ s more at the Mahaiwe . Check out Joanne Shaw Taylor , blues rock guitarist and vocalist , with her stellar band on April 19 at 8 p . m . They will play from her critically acclaimed studio album Nobody ’ s Fool , as well as songs from her upcoming new album . Taylor also will dig deep into her rich back catalogue where she will pick songs from her previous recordings , along with classic blues songs . Close Encounters of Music presents two performances at the Mahaiwe , including Celtic Baroque Band Makaris – A Bach Family Concert with an Irish Twist , March 17 at 4 p . m ., as well as Something Borrowed , Something Blue : Cross-Cultural Synergy !, April 14 at 4 p . m . ( mahaiwe . org )
Get ready for some rocking tribute bands at the Colonial Theatre to get you on your feet . Zep & Co : A Tribute to Led Zeppelin is on March 2 , at 7:30 p . m . Then on March 16 at 6:30 p . m ., Leppard : The Def Leppard Experience Featuring Andrew Freeman will be on stage . The following week , on March 22
18 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Spring 2024