Berkshire Fringe Kicks Off 10th Anniversary Season

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. —  The Berkshire Fringe moves north to the Upstreet Cultural District in Pittsfield this August to kick off its 10th anniversary season at the newly launched Shire City Sanctuary.

From Aug. 2-18, the festival will present more than 30 original original performances devised by energetic emerging artists from across the United States and abroad.

Committed to building a vibrant testing ground for new work, The Berkshire Fringe has worked for the last decade to increase opportunity and recognition for new voices in the performing arts.  Adventurous programming, affordable tickets and numerous pick-your-own-price and free events have continued to draw a diverse mix of audiences to the Fringe since 2005.

To celebrate the festival’s 10th year, artists will be in residence in the city of Pittsfield, presenting and developing new work and showcasing four encore performances that have appeared at the Berkshire Fringe over the course of the last decade.

Participating artists will also lead a series of free performance laboratories and invite audiences to engage more deeply in the creative process through open rehearsals and discussions.

The 2014 season features a mix of Fringe audience favorites including Under The Table Theater from Brooklyn, NY, The Wardrobe Ensemble from Bristol, UK, The Pi Clowns from San Fransisco, CA and Dan Bernitt from Lexington, KY.

The 10th anniversary Berkshire Fringe lineup is as follows:

RETROSPECTACLE! 10th Anniversary Gala and Kickoff Party!

Celebrating ten years of innovative, outrageous and entirely original programming, The Berkshire Fringe celebrates its decade mark with RETROSPECTACLE! Featuring live performances by May V. Oskan (The Ape Woman, 2013) Under The Table Theater and The Wardrobe Ensemble, live and silent auctions, dance party and beer + wine courtesy of Domaney's. Sliding scale tickets:

Pay-Your-Age / $50 / $100. All proceeds benefit The 2014 Berkshire Fringe and provide vital funding to the only organization in the region dedicated to supporting the next generation of theater artists and audiences.

One night only: Sat 8/2 6pm-11pm. Shire City Sanctuary.

The HunchbackS of Notre Dame
Berkshire Fringe Premiere!
Created and Performed by Under The Table Theater Ensemble

Meet The Hunchinson Family Players – a theatre troupe of hunchbacked siblings hoping to turn their luck around with an adaptation of Victor Hugo’s classic tale. Paul has artistic vision. Johann has merchandise. Hilda has room in her bed. Brooklyn’s beloved Under The Table Theater Ensemble return to present their Berkshire Fringe premiere of this wildly hilarious, irreverent and poignant reimagining of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Set against the backdrop of the former Notre Dame cathedral now known as Shire City Sanctuary, The Hunchbacks of Notre Dame is an original physical comedy complete with musical numbers and improvisation. Like the novel, the show explores power, beauty, and betrayal – but with more confetti.

Four performances only: Tues, 8/5 at 7pm, Thurs 8/7 at 9pm, Sat 8/9 at 7pm, Sun 8/10 at 7pm

SOLO: A Two Person Show

Created and Performed by: Under The Table Theater Ensemble

Encore Performance (Throwback, Berkshire Fringe 2006)

Fantasy, reality and memory collide as Under The Table Theater’s Matt Chapman and Josh Matthews deliver a kaleidoscope of eccentric characters in this poignant physical comedy about two brothers struggling to say goodbye.  Using mime, outrageous sound effects, acrobatics and a little devil puppet, SOLO: a two-person show travels through steamy jungles, into the netherworld, and up a perilous mountain. Exploring love and loss, brotherhood and bravery, this show will leave audiences of all ages in stitches and in tears.

Two performances only: Wed 8/6 at 7pm, and Fri 8/8 at 7pm

RIOT

Created and Performed by The Wardrobe Ensemble

Encore Performance (Throwback, Berkshire Fringe 2012)

Following their sold out run at the Berkshire Fringe in 2012, The Wardrobe Ensemble returns to the United States with their award winning physical theater play, RIOT. In February of 2005 at the stroke of midnight, the British public punch, kick, strangle and eventually stab their way to £45 sofas and £35 bed frames at the opening of their favorite Swedish furniture store. An epic tale of violence, greed and cheap sofas, RIOT uses eyewitness accounts, newspaper articles and original music to expose the frenzied nature of consumer culture. A true story set in a lamp-lit flat-pack universe, RIOT is bursting with violence, romance, chaos and more characters than you can throw a meatball at.

Six performances only: Tues 8/5 at 9pm, Wed 8/6 at 9pm, Sat 8/9 at 9pm, Mon 8/11 at 9pm, Wed 8/13 at 9pm, Sat 8/ 16 at 9pm

33

Created and Performed by The Wardrobe Ensemble

US Premiere

Using soulful stories, macho choreography and original music, the internationally acclaimed Wardrobe Ensemble present their take on the Chilean miner crisis of 2010. A tale of friendship, hope and Elvis Presley, 33 follows the story of the men trapped half a mile under ground, the journalists in the desert above them and the world that watched and waited for their rescue for 69 days. 33 takes you beyond the newsrooms, past the cameras and leaves you 2000 feet under the ground in this outlandish, touching and funny modern-legend of men on the brink of death, fame and madness.

Following their highly acclaimed debut, RIOT, 33 is the second play in The Wardrobe Ensemble's Real Things Trilogy. The show was devised by the company at the National Theatre Studio, Bristol Old Vic and in residency at The Berkshire Fringe in 2012.

Six performances only: Thurs 8/7 at 7pm, Fri 8/8 at 9pm, Sun 8/10 at 9pm, Wed 8/13 at 3pm, Thurs 8/14 at 7pm, Sun 8/17 at 9pm


British Themed Pub Quiz with The Wardrobe Ensemble at Thistle and Mirth

A ‘Riotous’ night of trivia, games and comedy led by the ten boisterous members of the Wardrobe Ensemble from Bristol, UK! This event will take place at Thistle and Mirth. 44 West Street, Pittsfield, MA. All proceeds benefit the Wardrobe Ensemble’s U.S. tour!

One night only: Thurs 8/14 at 9pm


Pi Clowns are back with CLOWNOLIO

Ander P. Quick, Leah Gardner and Cirque de solei clown extraordinaire Kelsey Custard of the award winning physical comedy troupe Pi, return to the Berkshires to deliver a delightful brand of mischief and mayhem in their newest show, Clownolio.  Using elements of vaudeville, improvisation, acrobatics, juggling, eccentric dance and live music, this unstoppable trio will captivate audiences of all ages.

Pi was the first resident company at the Berkshire Fringe in 2010 and have gone on to win numerous awards internationally.

Six performance only: Wed 8/13 at 7pm, Thurs 8/14 at 3pm, Fri 8/15 at 9pm, Sat 8/16 at 3pm, Sun 8/17 at 3p, Mon 8/18 at 8pm

Six performance only: Mon 8/11 at 7pm, Wed 8/13 at 7pm, Thurs 8/14 at 3pm, Fri 8/15 at 9pm, Sat 8/16 at 3pm, Sun 8/17 at 3pm, Mon 8/18 at 8pm


Thanks for the Scabies, Jerkface!

Written and Performed by Dan Bernitt



Encore Performance (Throwback, Berkshire Fringe 2006)

Meet Dan: his parents talk to stuffed animals, he lost an arm wrestling match against a drag queen and everyone in Wal-Mart knows he has scabies. This humorous and moving self-portrait, written and performed by award-winning poet Dan Bernitt details the trials and tribulations of a young gay man as he enters college life in Lexington, Kentucky.

An award-winning monologist and writer, Dan’s performances include Yelling at Bananas in Whole Foods (Berkshire Fringe2012), Phi Alpha Gamma (Berkshire Fringe 2009), The Gayer Show (with Les Kurkendaal), and Moments of Disconnect. Hailed as “’Lil Sedaris” by The Valley Advocate, Dan has been featured in venues internationally from Minneapolis to Dublin. A recipient of the Robert Chesley Award for Lesbian and Gay Playwriting, both his books, Dose: Plays & Monologues and Phi Alpha Gamma, were named finalists for the Lambda Literary Award.

Three performances only: Fri 8/15 at 7pm, Sat 8/14 at 5pm, Sun 8/17 at 7pm


COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND FREE EVENTS

 
PICK-YOUR-OWN-PRICE NIGHTS

One of the numerous ways that the Fringe appeals to diverse audiences is through an extremely popular Pick-Your-Own-Price option available for all opening night performances. In 2014, six Pick-Your-Own-Price opening nights will encourage audiences to attend a show for whatever they are willing or able to give.  Pick-Your-Own-Price opening nights are open to everyone and take place:  

Hunchbacks of Notre Dame – Tues 8/5 at 7pm

RIOT – Tues 8/5 at 9pm

Solo: A Two Person Show – Wed 8/6 at 7pm

33 – Thurs 8/7 at 7pm

Pi Clowns – Mon 8/11 at 7pm

Thanks for the Scabies, Jerkface! – Fri 8/15 at 7pm

Pick-Your-Own-Price tickets are first come, first served and only available in person at the box office beginning 1 hour before the show. (Reserved advance tickets are available at the regular price of $18.)


Invited Showing of New Work by The Wardrobe Ensemble

In addition to presenting two productions at the Berkshire Fringe in 2014, the Wardrobe Ensemble from Bristol, UK will be using their time in the Berkshires to begin development on the third production in their “Real Things Trilogy”. This informal presentation is an invited rehearsal, open to the public and designed to provide insight into their unique creative and devised theater process as a company. The showing will be followed by a discussion with the artists.

Saturday, August 16. 11am. FREE.

 
Monday, August 18 at 5pm

AN EVENING SOIREE OF DEVISED THEATER TO BENEFIT THE TADD GERO FUND FOR EMERGING ARTISTS

Devised & Performed by THE 2014 BERKSHIRE FRINGE APPRENTICE COMPANY
Directed by Sara Katzoff & Timothy Ryan Olson

Come see what the apprentice company has been cooking up! Six young theater artists from across the U.S are given the task of writing, devising, developing, designing and starring in an entirely original short performance in only two weeks time! The result is a high energy and completely inspired production featuring physical theater, live music, wacky dancing and more. All tickets, by donation. Proceeds benefit the Tadd Gero Fund for Emerging Artists.


30 LIVE! FREE CONCERTS

The Berkshire Fringe’s FREE music series takes place throughout the Berkshire Fringe and features an eclectic mix of new music, emerging composers and sonic innovators from throughout the Northeast. Please check website for a full line-up details, show descriptions and sound samples from participating artists.

30 Live! Performance schedule is as follows:

August 8, 5pm - Sweet Soubrette  

August 9, 5pm - Kills to Kisses

August 14, 5pm- Mellissa Hughes

August 17, 5pm - The Universal Thump



COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE LABORATORY

Workshops are FREE or by donation and are open to the public on Saturday afternoons at 1:00pm at Shire City Sanctuary, located at 40 Melville Street in Pittsfield. Each workshop is taught by a Berkshire Fringe festival artist and welcomes participants of all backgrounds and levels of experience ages 16-96! Space is limited and early registration is strongly recommended.  Please call 413-320-4175 for more information. Workshops will be held on:

Saturday, 8/9 at 1pm – Physical Comedy with Under The Table Theater Ensemble

Sunday, 8/10 at 1pm – Devising Theater with The Wardrobe Ensemble

Saturday, 8/16 at 1pm – Clowning around with the Pi Clowns (Open to participants ages 7+)

Sunday, 8/17 at 1pm – Clowning around with the Pi Clowns (Open to participants ages 7+)


GENERAL INFORMATION

All performances, events and workshops take place at Shire City Sanctuary located at 40 Melville St. in Pittsfield unless otherwise noted. 2014 tickets to all events are $18 in advance or $20 at the door. Season passes are on sale now for $90. All opening night performances are Pick Your Own Price, available only at the door.  Ask our box office for multiple show discounts, group rates and passes. 30 Live! concerts are free unless otherwise noted. For directions, tickets, workshop registration, and all other information please call (413) 320-4175, e-mail us at info@berkshirefringe.org or visit www.berkshirefringe.org.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

EPA Lays Out Draft Plan for PCB Remediation in Pittsfield

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Ward 4 Councilor James Conant requested the meeting be held at Herberg Middle School as his ward will be most affected. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency and General Electric have a preliminary plan to remediate polychlorinated biphenyls from the city's Rest of River stretch by 2032.

"We're going to implement the remedy, move on, and in five years we can be done with the majority of the issues in Pittsfield," Project Manager Dean Tagliaferro said during a hearing on Wednesday.

"The goal is to restore the (Housatonic) river, make the river an asset. Right now, it's a liability."

The PCB-polluted "Rest of River" stretches nearly 125 miles from the confluence of the East and West Branches of the river in Pittsfield to the end of Reach 16 just before Long Island Sound in Connecticut.  The city's five-mile reach, 5A, goes from the confluence to the wastewater treatment plant and includes river channels, banks, backwaters, and 325 acres of floodplains.

The event was held at Herberg Middle School, as Ward 4 Councilor James Conant wanted to ensure that the residents who will be most affected by the cleanup didn't have to travel far.

Conant emphasized that "nothing is set in actual stone" and it will not be solidified for many months.

In February 2020, the Rest of River settlement agreement that outlines the continued cleanup was signed by the U.S. EPA, GE, the state, the city of Pittsfield, the towns of Lenox, Lee, Stockbridge, Great Barrington, and Sheffield, and other interested parties.

Remediation has been in progress since the 1970s, including 27 cleanups. The remedy settled in 2020 includes the removal of one million cubic yards of contaminated sediment and floodplain soils, an 89 percent reduction of downstream transport of PCBs, an upland disposal facility located near Woods Pond (which has been contested by Southern Berkshire residents) as well as offsite disposal, and the removal of two dams.

The estimated cost is about $576 million and will take about 13 years to complete once construction begins.

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