Adams Theater Kicks off Annual Fund with Two Piano Journey Concert

Print Story | Email Story

ADAMS, Mass—Two Piano Journey is returning to the Adams Theater in October for a benefit concert at 4:30 PM on Saturday, Oct. 12, to kick off the Adams Theater's 2025 Annual Fund. 

Mother-and-son duo Chris Kuo and Michelle Kuo have raised more than $3 million for charities and nonprofits since they started performing together as Two Piano Journey. Michelle is a piano prodigy and teacher who gave annual concerts at Carnegie Hall for 20+ years while raising her kids. Chris spent hours practicing while running trading desks at investment banks (where he met Theater Founder Yina Moore) to help his mother reach her dream of touring the world.

"We're thrilled with the turnout and support we've seen this season," said Yina Moore. "I'm moved by how many new people have come through our doors for comedy, residency work, our collaborations with local organizations like Images Cinema, and more. Our Annual Fund helps keep all that going so the Adams Theater can be a landmark on Park Street for years to come."

Back in November 2022, Two Piano Journey's concert was the first public performance in the Adams' work-in-progress theater space. Not only did the concert help raise over $80,000 for the Adams Theater among the local communities, it also motivated us to imagine and create our first season in 2023. 

Reserve tickets at www.adamstheater.org/present

The 2024 season included 23 weekends and 53 days of programming from May-October, including 12 film screenings, 10 concerts, 6 theater productions/readings, 4 comedies, 3 residencies, 2 dance presentations, 2 variety shows, and 5 community partnership events. This year, with help from patrons, fundraising, and grants, the theater created a vibrant scene on Park Street, provided paid positions to 7 local part-time staff, and welcomed over 3,000 patrons for shows and events.

"I am so very proud of and thankful for the amazing financial supporters who helped us to raise nearly $55,000 for Season 2024," Board Member and Fundraising Chair David Bissaillon said. "Based on the quality of the work that Yina and the crew are providing, and the response of the public in general, we are excited to double our goal in 2025 to raise $100,000."    

Membership and Season Passes

Adams Theater members get half-priced tickets to all shows from May to October, and season pass holders get complimentary tickets for themselves, plus half-price tickets for friends. 

New this year, the theater is offering a Youth Membership option. For $50, those under 18 can get free admission to all shows from May to October, and can bring a friend to one show for free Learn more about season passes here.

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

Business Success, Storm Clouds Highlighted at 1Berkshire Annual Meeting

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff

Cheshire native JD Chesloff of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable delivers the keynote address on Thursday.
 
ADAMS, Mass. — One of the county's biggest employers and one of its newest small businesses were touted on Thursday at 1Berkshire's annual meeting at the Adams Theater.
 
The vice president of maritime and strategic systems strategy and business development at General Dynamics shared news of a major expansion at the Pittsfield plant.
 
"We plan to hire over 200 employees in Pittsfield over the next 12 to 14 months," Chris Montferret said. "Business is booming. And of those 200 employees, over 200 will be engineers."
 
Currently, General Dynamics employs more than 1,600 people in Pittsfield, up from a low of 500 in 1997, Montferret said, reminding the 1Berkshire membership of the importance of growth for an anchor like his firm.
 
"As you all know as employers, the multiplier of economic development when you bring a full-time employee in is amazing for the entire community," Montferret said.
 
1Berkshire is dedicated to advancing the local economy by advocating for and serving local businesses while helping attract visitors to the region.
 
The development organization's president and CEO used the annual meeting to talk about 1Berkshire's economic development team, which averages more than 100 consultations per year with local entrepreneurs — over 40 percent with businesses owned by women, members of minority groups or immigrants.
View Full Story

More Adams Stories