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Teen-Led 'Romeo & Juliet' Comes to Pittsfield Common This Summer

Enrico Spada and city officials unveil this year's Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park production — 'Romeo and Juliet.'

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The announcement was about the Bard — but Romeo stole the show.

"But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks! It is the east, and Juliet is the sun!" declared David Joseph, as he ran through the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, interrupting Lori Gazzillo, director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation.  

As Gazzillo quickly found her way out of the spotlight, Joseph admired the beautiful Juliet, played by Annie Considine, as she appeared from behind the press conference podium.

Through the staging of the famous balcony scene on Tuesday morning, it was announced that Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park, led by founder and artistic director Enrico Spada, will continue its collaboration with the Office of Cultural Development, directed by Jen Glockner, for a second year to present "Romeo and Juliet."

The free outdoor play will premiere on July's Third Thursday, July 16, at the First Street Common's brand-new pavilion.  

After some 1,500 spectators enjoyed the two-week run of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" last July in Springside Park, "Romeo and Juliet" will extend for 12 performances over three weekends, from July 16 to Aug. 2 at the Common. The play will feature 12 teenage student actors since, Spada emphasized, Shakespeare intended the title characters to be young teens. The other seven members of the cast will be rounded out by adults.  

Mayor Daniel Bianchi spoke about how the free theater made him realize that Shakespeare is still relevant and enjoyable. After last year's launch, he received an enormous amount of positive feedback about Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park.  

"I'm really excited to think that we're going to have Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park right in our premiere park, the Common, in the new performance platform ... the gazebo," the mayor said. "It is going to be so much fun."

Accessibility to the community was a strong theme during Spada's remarks. He is planning outreach to local schools to continue to involve more of the community and said he was "so pleased" that last year's audience members included many families with children who came multiple times over the course of the eight performances.   

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.