The ARTS
‘ Fiddler on the Roof ’ at MACC
The Monument Arts & Cultural Center presents the Tony Award ® winning family favorite , Fiddler on the Roof with Metropolitan Opera star Oren Gradus as Tevye .
The brainchild of Broadway legends , Jerome Robbins and Harold Prince , songwriters , Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick , with book by Joseph Stein , Fiddler on the Roof became an instant classic when it debuted in 1964 winning nine Tony Awards ®. Since then , it has solidified its place as a staple of the American musical theatre repertoire .
This production marks something of a “ Gradus ” family affair . Famed Israeli artist Ari Gradus ( listed in American Art ’ s Who ’ s Who since 1995 ), will not only be directing his son in this production , but he brings his artistic talents to design a vibrant and magical set , transporting theatregoers to a surreal world in his creation of the little town of Anatevka . Kristine Lewis is at the helm as Producer and choreographer with Richard Cherry as Musical Director .
With performances April 25 through 28 , don ’ t miss your chance to experience the magic of Fiddler on the Roof live on stage . Tickets on sale now at monumentcentervt . org : $ 40 ( Regular ), $ 30 ( Senior ) $ 20 ( Student ) Cash Bar and food supplied by South Shire Inn . Doors open 90 minutes before performances so you can enjoy the food and beverages which will also be allowed in the theatre . Inquiries : 802-318-4444 . MACC , 44 Gypsy Lane , Bennington , VT .
‘ Keeping It Inn ’
Keeping It Inn was written and will be performed by Cindy Pierce and developed and directed by Traci Mariano on April 27 and April 28 . The lives of women born in the 1920s are rarely documented or even considered to be interesting . As a playwright and performer of Keeping It Inn , it is clear that Cindy Pierce had a front-row seat watching her mother , Nancy Pierce , break out of the conventional life expected of women her age and step into a whole new experience of becoming an innkeeper in New Hampshire . Audiences feel enveloped in warmth , humor , and vulnerability from the beginning to the end of this performance . Nancy and Reg ran Pierce ’ s Inn together for thirty-one years and found joy in the mundane as much as the exciting times . As a mom , wife , and innkeeper , Nancy connected with a wide variety of folks in her community and treasured time with their many children and grandchildren . With her sharp mind , quick wit , and outspoken nature , she navigated life with flare and unrelenting optimism . Advance tickets are $ 33 at townhalltheater . org . Tickets at the door are $ 37 . Keeping It Inn contains a discussion of death and other adult topics . Appropriate for ages 15 +. Town Hall Theater is located at 68 S Pleasant St . in Middlebury , VT .
Stone Valley Arts Film Series
We are excited to announce our Spring & Summer Film Series at Stone Valley Arts ( SVA ). Come out and watch some great indie flicks . Admission is free and all films will be followed by a discussion . The series starts on May 3 at 7pm with Past Lives ( 2023 ). All films are supported by Kanopy in partnership with Castleton Free Library . SVA is located at 145 East Main Street Poultney , VT . Visit stonevalleyarts . org for the full list of films in the series .
Little Theater on the Farm Events
We are excited to open our 2024 season with Whiskey River ! On April 27 at 7pm , Whiskey River will be appearing at Little Theater on the Farm ( LTF ), 27 Plum Rd . in Fort Edward , NY . The band includes Joe Gero-lead singer and guitar , Jim Thompson-lead guitar and vocals , Lance Macintosh- bass guitar and vocals , and Bob Tressler-drums . Recommended donation : adults $ 12 ; students and seniors ( 60 +) $ 9 .
On May 4 from 2pm to 5pm , The Grassland Bird Trust is hosting its 2024 Raptor Fest on the LTF grounds . This year ’ s event will be held rain or shine and includes : a live bird demonstration , with birds in flight , by the very entertaining Trish Marki from the Wildlife Institute of Eastern New York ; a most remarkable presentation on grassland birds by 12 year old prodigy Arabella Pajoohi , member of the NY State Young Birders Club ; and Joseph Bruchac , Native American poet , storyteller , and author will describe the deep connection between humans and the feathered beings all around us .
Also on May 4 , LTF presents the High Peaks Bluegrass Band at 7pm . The High Peaks Bluegrass Band , from Saratoga Springs , NY , is currently a four piece band playing classics from the bluegrass , gospel , and old time genres . Members are Jeff Anderson- mandolin , vocals ; Tom Behan- guitar , vocals ; Stephen C . Butler- bass , vocals ; and Walt Kirby – banjo , vocals . Recommended donation : adults $ 12 ; students and seniors ( 60 +) $ 9 . For more on these events , call 518-747-3421 or visit : littletheater27 . org . 50 / 50 raffle , refreshments available .
The Grift & the Addison County Youth All Stars
Vermont ’ s premiere party band , The Grift , are well known on the live performance circuit for their dazzling musicianship and impressive range of original and cover songs that span generations and genres . Grift members Clint Bierman , Peter Day , and Jeff Vallone are also music instructors with Town Hall Theater ’ s RockIt Science program where they train and mentor the next generation of rockers . On May 4 at 7pm , The Grift will play an hour-long set , and then feature a curated second set of talented young musicians already making major waves in the music world .
Featured youth all-stars include Evan Jennison and Sam Bierman , both regulars at THT ’ s immersive rock n ’ roll program . Jennison ’ s live performances are heightened by his strong stage presence and undeniable connection between him and the members of the Grift , who mentored him from an early age as a student . Today , Jennison is known for captivating lyrics , signature flatpicking , and timeless harmonies inspired by his surroundings and background raised in the Green Mountains . Jennison recently shared the stage with Marcus Rezak , Russ Lawton , members of TAB , members of Twiddle , and more .
Clint Bierman ’ s 11-year-old son Sam has been attracting attention as a music prodigy . Sam ’ s distinctive sound , voice , lyrics , and keyboard playing led to a collaboration with Twiddle ’ s Mihali . The show also marks the release of the extraordinary new song “ Smile ,” a single created by Sam , Mihali , and Clint .
Tickets : Kids Under 12 : $ 5 , Student : $ 10 , and Adults $ 25 . Visit townhalltheater . org or call 802-382-9222 .
22 Vermont News Guide April 22 , 2024