The Colonial Theatre in partnership with Jenny and Adam Hersch will co-produce the Tony award-winning musical "Damn Yankees," which will be presented for four performances only at Historic Wahconah Park, Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, August 3. Curtain time for each performance will be at 8 p.m.
This beloved 1956 musical will be directed by James Warwick and will feature opera star Maureen O'Flynn as Meg, former Red Sox General Manager Dan Duquette as Van Buren, Marcy Harriell, who recently appeared as Mimi in the Broadway production of "Rent", as Lola and Robert Hunt as Joe Hardy. Joel Revzen is musical director.
"We are fortunate that we have been able to attract a cadre of highly regarded professionals to participate in this extraordinary undertaking," explained Susan Sperber, Executive Director of the Colonial Theatre, "In addition to the topnotch cast, our creative team is also outstanding. James Warwick has an international reputation as a superb director and actor, scenic designer Carl Sprague is well known for his work on 'The Royal Tenenbaums,' lighting designer Jeff Davis is a three time Emmy award winner, and costume designer Michael Growler is currently working on the Tony nominated Broadway production of "Movin' Out." Music Director Joel Revzen, known locally for his work as artistic director of Berkshire Opera, conducts in world class venues nationally and internationally, and choreographer Darrell Pucciarello can be seen regularly at the Met.
Following casting calls in New York and Pittsfield, Warwick has put together an ensemble of 26 cast members including Actors' Equity Association (AEA) and community members, and 18 musicians. "Damn Yankees" will be performed on the field on a covered stage specially designed for this event. Rehearsals will begin July 7 and are planned to take place at the First United Methodist Church on Fenn Street in Pittsfield.
This production will accomplish a number of objectives for both the Colonial Theatre and Jenny and Adam Hersch who are co-producing this play in cooperation with the Berkshire Black Bears Baseball Team. Says Sperber, "After having been dark for more than fifty years, the Colonial is beginning its audience development initiative. We want to set very high expectations for the quality of offerings that this community can anticipate from their Theatre.
Once open, the Colonial will be seen as an exciting center for community enrichment and the Hersch's commitment to helping Pittsfield reclaim its place as the vibrant center of Berkshire County dovetails nicely with that." In an effort to attract the entire community, all seats for this first-rate production are priced at $10.
"Damn Yankees" was written by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop with music by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. In this classic baseball fable, die-hard Washington Senators fan Joe Boyd puts his soul in hock to help the team wrestle the pennant away from the hated, all conquering Yankees. Joe Boyd is transformed by the sulfurous Mr. Applegate's satanic magic into 22-year old baseball phenomenon Joe Hardy, to head the once-hapless Senators in a torrid late-season pursuit of the men in pinstripes. Joe has until September 21st before the deal becomes final - and eternal- and with the luscious temptress Lola to distract him, he has quite a time wriggling out of the deal.
When it first opened on Broadway in 1956, "Damn Yankees" swept the Tony awards including best musical, best actor (Ray Walston), best actress (Gwen Verdon), best conductor (Hal Hastings), and best choreographer (Bob Fosse). It was revived on Broadway in 1994 and was nominated in many categories including best revival of a musical and Victor Garber received a Tony for best actor.
During the run of "Damn Yankees," Historic Wahconah Park will open at 6:30 p.m. each evening for food and games with performances at 8 p.m. All tickets will be $10 and will benefit restoration of the Colonial Theatre. Tickets go on sale July 1 at the Colonial Theatre and at the Berkshire Black Bears box office 413-442 4858. For more information or to order tickets by phone call 413-448 8084.The Colonial Theatre, in partnership with Jenny and Adam Hersch, will co-produce the Tony award-winning musical "Damn Yankees," which will be presented for four performances only at Historic Wahconah Park, Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, August 3.
Curtain time for each performance will be at 8 p.m. This beloved 1956 musical will be directed by James Warwick and will feature opera star Maureen O'Flynn as Meg, former Red Sox General Manager Dan Duquette as Van Buren, Marcy Harriell, who recently appeared as Mimi in the Broadway production of "Rent", as Lola and Robert Hunt as Joe Hardy. Joel Revzen is musical director.
"We are fortunate that we have been able to attract a cadre of highly regarded professionals to participate in this extraordinary undertaking," explained Susan Sperber, Executive Director of the Colonial Theatre, "In addition to the topnotch cast, our creative team is also outstanding. James Warwick has an international reputation as a superb director and actor, scenic designer Carl Sprague is well known for his work on 'The Royal Tenenbaums,' lighting designer Jeff Davis is a three time Emmy award winner, and costume designer Michael Growler is currently working on the Tony nominated Broadway production of "Movin' Out." Music Director Joel Revzen, known locally for his work as artistic director of Berkshire Opera, conducts in world class venues nationally and internationally, and choreographer Darrell Pucciarello can be seen regularly at the Met.
Following casting calls in New York and Pittsfield, Warwick has put together an ensemble of 26 cast members including Actors' Equity Association (AEA) and community members, and 18 musicians. 'Damn Yankees' will be performed on the field on a covered stage specially designed for this event. Rehearsals will begin July 7 and are planned to take place at the First United Methodist Church on Fenn Street in Pittsfield.
This production will accomplish a number of objectives for both the Colonial Theatre and Jenny and Adam Hersch who are co-producing this play in cooperation with the Berkshire Black Bears Baseball Team. Says Sperber, "After having been dark for more than fifty years, the Colonial is beginning its audience development initiative. We want to set very high expectations for the quality of offerings that this community can anticipate from their Theatre. Once open, the Colonial will be seen as an exciting center for community enrichment and the Hersch's commitment to helping Pittsfield reclaim its place as the vibrant center of Berkshire County dovetails nicely with that." In an effort to attract the entire community, all seats for this first-rate production are priced at $10.
"Damn Yankees" was written by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop with music by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. In this classic baseball fable, die-hard Washington Senators fan Joe Boyd puts his soul in hock to help the team wrestle the pennant away from the hated, all conquering Yankees. Joe Boyd is transformed by the sulfurous Mr. Applegate's satanic magic into 22-year old baseball phenomenon Joe Hardy, to head the once-hapless Senators in a torrid late-season pursuit of the men in pinstripes. Joe has until September 21st before the deal becomes final - and eternal- and with the luscious temptress Lola to distract him, he has quite a time wriggling out of the deal.
When it first opened on Broadway in 1956, "Damn Yankees" swept the Tony awards including best musical, best actor (Ray Walston), best actress (Gwen Verdon), best conductor (Hal Hastings), and best choreographer (Bob Fosse). It was revived on Broadway in 1994 and was nominated in many categories including best revival of a musical and Victor Garber received a Tony for best actor.
During the run of "Damn Yankees," Historic Wahconah Park will open at 6:30 p.m. each evening for food and games with performances at 8 p.m. All tickets will be $10 and will benefit restoration of the Colonial Theatre. Tickets go on sale July 1 at the Colonial Theatre and at the Berkshire Black Bears box office 413-442 4858. For more information or to order tickets by phone call 413-448 8084.
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North Adams Airport Hires New Manager
By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Airport Commission unanimously voted this week to hire Skyler Friedman as the new airport manager.
The vote came after a brief interview Tuesday. Although two candidates were scheduled to be interviewed, only Friedman was in attendance.
In total, there were four resumes that a subcommittee knocked down to two finalists.
"All were qualified," Commissioner William Hooper said. "One was less qualified, two were equally qualified, and one was a step above. The two you have this evening were the two determined to be the most qualified."
The commission planned on interviewing both candidates, but only interviewed Friedman. Although the second candidate indicated she would be present remotely for the interview, she never called in.
Friedman was the manager from June until September through the city's contract with Hewison Aviation, a New York-based flight school operating in North Adams. The company provided management services to the city but decided to end this arrangement in the fall.
The commission faced losing Friedman as manager and urged him to apply when they advertised the position.
Friedman spoke about communication, noting he suspected it would be easier as an employee of the city. He also spoke about larger projects at the airport he would like to follow through on, including the creation of a flying club. He said he wants more people at the airport and interested in aviation.
He was asked if he planned to leave the position in the near future for other opportunities.
"I would not be here now if that were my goal," he answered.
He added that the area does not have a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), a position he hopes to fill. He said he hopes to "merge his interests" as the manager and a CFI, eventually relocating permanently to North Adams instead of commuting from Albany.
Otherwise, he said there will be no disruptions, as he has already done the job. Instead of learning a new position, he said he is ready to tackle projects he had to step away from when the contract ran out.
"The past five months have been that process, and I will pick up where I left off," he said. "I stumbled upon things in the interim, and there will be no transition."
In other business, the Airport Commission saw another response to the proposed restaurant RFP. Only one organization responded: East Fork Bread.
Although there was some back-and-forth between the RFP subcommittee and the bread makers, the subcommittee ultimately could not recommend their proposal as it did not fit their requirements.
The state Department of Conservation and Recreation is planning to purchase a total of 250 abutting acres in Clarksburg and the town of Florida. The purchase was on the Florida Select Board's agenda on Wednesday night.
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Local officials, schools, and community organizations unite to offer a free Halloween walkthrough featuring local lore, concessions, and family fun. click for more
The fire was called in just before 5 p.m. as "visible flames and smoke." There was dark smoke coming from a storage area on the backside of the building and firefighters were able to quickly knock it down. click for more
These women were unsung fliers, so important as pioneers in the history of aviation that they took to the skies in the teens and early 1920s before Earhart even stepped foot in her bright red Lockheed Vega 5.
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