Great Barrington Public Theater Plans Benefit for Berkshire Voices

Print Story | Email Story
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Great Barrington Public Theater (GBPT) plans June 7 festive evening under the stars to benefit Berkshire Voices, and give a sneak-peek preview of Night at the Speakeasy cabaret starring Janelle Farias Sando, premiering this summer in the McConnell Theater.
 
Great Barrington Public partners with Berkshire Voices playwrights' group to incubate, develop and bring new plays to stage. "Dog People," the lead-off production in the company's 2024 season, was developed by Berkshire Voices member Leigh Strimbeck and given an initial public reading in 2022.
 
On June 7, 6pm, GBPT will hold an event to benefit, support and celebrate the work of Berkshire Voices.
 
The stage program will spotlight Leigh Strimbeck and the two-person cast of "Dog People," and give a first peek preview of "Night at The Speakeasy," a GBPT cabaret featuring Janelle Farias Sando that plays on the McConnell stage July 26-August 11.
 
The twilight celebration will be held at Bard College at Simon's Rock, Great Barrington, June 7th, 6-9pm It begins under a tent on the pastoral lawn outside the Daniel Arts Center with cocktails, wine, soft refreshments and savory, small plate hors d'oeuvres. Guests then move into the McConnell Theater for the spotlight presentations and preview of "Night at the Speakeasy," followed by champagne and an assortment of desserts under the stars.
 
"GB Public was founded to bring life-enriching new plays to the stage for local theater lovers and our growing visiting audiences, and to do so by working with the exceptional resource of stage artists and crews who call the Berkshires and nearby communities home," the company's Development Director Serena Johnson said. "We're planning this special, twilight event to show off the results of our dedication to new work and new voices, and to benefit the quiet but important work done by Berkshire Voices. It will be a fun, festive night of delicious small bites, drinks, congeniality and conversation, and a taste of the sensational new cabaret that Janelle Farias Sando brings to the McConnell Theater later this summer."
 
Reservations for the June 7th benefit can be made on the GB Public tickets website.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer. 

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said. 

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward." 

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Robin's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio. 

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units.  A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched. 

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.  

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant. 

View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories