Friday, July 30, 2010
The Berkshires summer continues....
One of the things I love about summer in the Berkshires is that there is a treasure trove of cultural riches to take advantage of. Each year I try to attend as many plays, concerts, symphonies, art exhibits, etc., etc., as I can and yet it is impossible to take it all in. The Berkshire Fringe Festival has started and I haven't seen any of their productions yet. My friend, Jim Beaudin, is appearing in "A Thousand Clowns" at the New Stage Theatre and I haven't been able to get to his play. Tanglewood is right down the road and I've been missing the Saturday morning open rehearsals which my friends, Hermine and Jan, faithfully attend.
Waging battle against a summer cold this week has kept me in more than I like but I still have managed a pretty full schedule starting with the "Babes in Arms" cast party which I hosted last week at Moe's Tavern. This fun musical opens this Saturday night, July 31st, in the Berkshire Theatre Festival Unicorn Theater. We had a great time at Moe's. They are big supporters of BTF so I like to be sure to throw a party or two each summer there. Here is The Countess with the 'Babes'.....
The next night I went over to Shakespeare & Co to see "A Winter's Tale". Jonathan Epstein and cast do a wonderful job as usual. I particularly liked the 2nd act and Wolf Coleman's interpretation of the 'young shepard'....Hilarious!!
Then it was karaoke night at Rumpy's Tavern. Arthur Oliver, the famous costume designer, and Catherine Williams, the founder of The Wharton Salon, sang a few tunes....
A private party for the cast of Endgame and some BTF friends was arranged for after the Friday performance. Then more karaoke at Michael's of Stockbridge....
Saturday night was the final performance of Endgame which I attended with some New York City friends. So sad to see that acclaimed production end but it was almost worth it to see the 'Babes in Arms' kids tearing down the set so that they can stake claim to the stage. They were so anxious to get their dancing shoes on and entertain everyone!
Monday was the Battle of the Improv Troupes. Our very own Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe battled it out against MOPCO, an Albany, NY, troupe to support WAM Theatre and the New Stage Theater. RBIT won bragging rights by a narrow margin and a fun time was had by everyone in the sold out crowd.
The next night I was invited to The Mount for the Meet & Greet for The Wharton Salon's production of "Summer". The Countess is a supporter of this wonderful new theater company which was started last year by Catherine Taylor-Williams. Last summer their production of Edith Wharton's "Xingu" was sold out. Hope to see you all there again this year. The Countess is bringing all of the Berkshire Theatre Festival's apprentice group to one of the performances on August 22nd. There will be a talk back for the kids and anyone else interested in learning about the company and the play.
Last night I was invited to the cast party for the BTF production of "Macbeth". This is another MUST SEE production this summer. Previews start next Tuesday and the play runs until August 14th. The cast is excited and ready to get on the Main Stage. It was a fun party with lots of old and new friends. It is always delightful to have a chance to chat with those talented Stanton boys, Cooper and Ryder, who are in the cast. Much thanks to our hostess, Kate Maguire, for a wonderful evening.
Waging battle against a summer cold this week has kept me in more than I like but I still have managed a pretty full schedule starting with the "Babes in Arms" cast party which I hosted last week at Moe's Tavern. This fun musical opens this Saturday night, July 31st, in the Berkshire Theatre Festival Unicorn Theater. We had a great time at Moe's. They are big supporters of BTF so I like to be sure to throw a party or two each summer there. Here is The Countess with the 'Babes'.....
The next night I went over to Shakespeare & Co to see "A Winter's Tale". Jonathan Epstein and cast do a wonderful job as usual. I particularly liked the 2nd act and Wolf Coleman's interpretation of the 'young shepard'....Hilarious!!
Then it was karaoke night at Rumpy's Tavern. Arthur Oliver, the famous costume designer, and Catherine Williams, the founder of The Wharton Salon, sang a few tunes....
A private party for the cast of Endgame and some BTF friends was arranged for after the Friday performance. Then more karaoke at Michael's of Stockbridge....
Kyle sings Lady GaGa while The Countess prances around :)))
Saturday night was the final performance of Endgame which I attended with some New York City friends. So sad to see that acclaimed production end but it was almost worth it to see the 'Babes in Arms' kids tearing down the set so that they can stake claim to the stage. They were so anxious to get their dancing shoes on and entertain everyone!
Monday was the Battle of the Improv Troupes. Our very own Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe battled it out against MOPCO, an Albany, NY, troupe to support WAM Theatre and the New Stage Theater. RBIT won bragging rights by a narrow margin and a fun time was had by everyone in the sold out crowd.
MopCo & RBIT take their bows.
The next night I was invited to The Mount for the Meet & Greet for The Wharton Salon's production of "Summer". The Countess is a supporter of this wonderful new theater company which was started last year by Catherine Taylor-Williams. Last summer their production of Edith Wharton's "Xingu" was sold out. Hope to see you all there again this year. The Countess is bringing all of the Berkshire Theatre Festival's apprentice group to one of the performances on August 22nd. There will be a talk back for the kids and anyone else interested in learning about the company and the play.
Countess Bedelia 7/30/2010 05:34:00 PM