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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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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