West Springfield's Majestic Theater will transport audiences back to the days of girl group pop music when it presents “The Marvelous Wonderettes” April 11 through May 26. The musical, by Roger Bean, is set in 1958 at Springfield High School. It's the Super Senior Prom, and the previously-booked Crooning Crabcakes can't perform. All hopes are pinned on the Wonderettes, an all-girl singing group that finished third in the State Song Leaders competition. Cindy Lou, Missy, Betty Jean and Suzy not only get the gig, they come back ten years later to perform at their reunion. Popular songs like “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar” and other 50's and 60's favorites are featured in the play, which has been described as a "cotton candy musical trip down memory lane!"
Majestic Theater Producing Director Danny Eaton will direct the play with Mitch Chakour serving as musical director. Greg Trochlil is set designer, Dawn McKay is costume designer, Dan Rist is lighting designer and production stage manager is Stephen Petit. Doug Wallace is sound engineer. Actors include Kait Rankins (Missy), Mollie Posnick (Suzy), Tina Sparkle (Betty Jean) and Kaytlyn Vaneloecht (Cindy Lou).
The play closes out the Majestic's 22nd Season. Tickets for these shows range from $24-$34 and are now available by calling or visiting the box office during its hours of operation, which are Monday through Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm.
For additional information, visit www.majestictheater.com.
Community Weekend
Saturday, May 4 Ohketeau (‘to plant, to grow’) is the name Nipmuc Elder Larry Spotted Crow Mann gave to open programming at DE for Voices of Native Youth, to begin in May in honor of our anniversary.
Sunday, May 5 Come celebrate Double Edge’s vibrant community members, artists, and partners: fly on bungees, sing, dance, and play music, and learn about DE’s Ashfield history and ongoing renovation and preservation of the beautiful Farm! Open flying and singing: 1-3 pm. Gathering, discussion, award ceremony, meal 3-5 pm.
The Tattooed Man Tells All by Peter Wortsman
Tuesday, April 16, 2019, 7:30 PM
Acting Studio 1, Mendenhall CPA, Smith College
A solo performance by Keith Langsdale, directed by Ellen W. Kaplan
Woven from interviews the author conducted with Holocaust survivors in Vienna in the 1970s.
This program is co-sponsored by Smith Department of Theatre, the Jewish Studies Program and the Smith College Lecture Committee.
Free and open to the public.
UMass Theater presents Baltimore, a play to spark a timely conversation
Baltimore, a new work by Kirsten Greenidge, examines what happens on a college campus in the aftermath of a racist incident. UMass Theater hopes audiences of both an abridged presentation of the play this spring, as well as those who see the fully-mounted production in the fall, will find that the play sparks productive conversations about difficult topics.
April 17-27, the play will be presented to the community in an abridged format. The event, which is free and open to all, will consist of the performance, followed immediately by a conversation about the issues raised. The event, which is free and open to all, will consist of the performance, followed immediately by a conversation about the issues raised. While the incident in the play is different in scope than some of those experienced in our community recently, we hope that the event creates a space for community members to talk productively with each other. The presentations will be at New Africa House and seating will be free. Reservations are strongly encouraged but not required.
More about Baltimore
When a racist incident divides her first-year students, reluctant resident advisor Shelby finds herself in the middle of a conversation she does not want to have. As pressure to address the issue mounts from residents, the new dean, and even her best friend, Shelby must decide if she will enter the fray or watch her community come apart at the seams. Sharp, funny, and searing, Baltimore is about racism on college campuses and how we learn to talk to each other.
This spring, we are producing a 30 minute cut of Baltimore, followed immediately by a postshow Q&A, to which the general public is welcomed.
Performances:
April 17, 18, 24, 25 at 7:30 p.m.
April 27 at 2 p.m.
at New Africa House
Free, open to all, reservations encouraged but not required
Reserve your tickets through the Fine Arts Center Box Office
We are pleased to announce that these workshop presentations will be followed in Fall 2019 by a fully-staged production of Baltimore and post-show discussions. Check the UMass Theater website at www.umass.edu/theater for performance dates later this summer.
This workshop is a collaboration with the Office for Equity & Inclusion.
Josie's Magical Flute Improv, with Sea Tea & Happier Valley Guests
April 18 at 7:30 PM
The Shea Theater, Turners Falls, MA
Josie's Magical Flute (Mandy Anderson, Sally Ekus, Julie Waggoner) bring their signature improv comedy form "The Ride" back to The Shea on April 18. Joining them are Sea Tea Improv's Allie Rivera, as well as Danny New of Channel 22 / Mass Appeal and Happier Valley Comedy, and Ben May of Happier Valley Comedy. Get ready for a wild ride of scenes and games, all made up fresh on the spot, just for you.
https://sheatheater.org/
SILVERTHORNE THEATER ANNOUNCES NEW PLAY READING SERIES
An integral part of Silverthorne Theater Company’s mission is to promote the development of new work, especially by Western Massachusetts and New England playwrights. In 2018, we staged the world premieres of three new works, two of which were from such writers.
In 2019 we offer a series of free rehearsed readings of new or new to us plays, , called Theater Thursdays, followed by audience discussions. These will be held in different locations in the region. Complete information for each reading may be found at https://silverthornetheater.org.
The purpose of the readings is to give a platform for new work to be heard, and when possible, to be able to give playwrights direct audience feedback. It also gives Silverthorne a look at plays that we might consider fully producing in future seasons.
Thursday, April 18 SANDWICH, by Steve Henderson.
Directed by Brianna Sloane
7 pm 170 Main St, Greenfield
Single mom and advertising exec Kathy (Linda Tardif) is trying to deal with her aging mother Marlene (read by Linda Putnam) and her precocious teenage Jennifer (Melle Lowenthal) as each seems on a collision course with disaster. A talent for stand-up comedy runs in the family, making this treatment of intergenerational conflict sparkle with wit and truth-telling, SANDWICH, the second in Silverthorne’s Theater Thursday New Play Reading Series is directed by Brianna Sloane. Playwright Steve Hendersonwill be on hand to discuss the play after the reading. Free and open to the public.
Thursday, May 16 RESTORATION ROOM, by Harley Erdman
Directed by Chris Rohmann
7 pm UMass Theater Department, Room 204
Two academics, each married to someone else, struggle to resist the power of their mutual intellectual & physical attraction.
Thursday, June 13 DEAR GALILEO, by Claire Willett
Directed by Rebecca Daniels
7 pm 170 Main Street, Greenfield
Three women in three different times wrestle with their identity, the conflict between science and religion, and what it means to be their fathers' daughters…. As the three stories move toward their point of convergence, the destinies of each become inextricably bound with the others, linked through time by love, family, grief, the search for identity and the wonder of the stars.
Thursday, September 12 CAMPUS UNREST, by Talya Kingston
Directed by Trenda Loftin
7 pm Location TBA
Complex choices face an inter-racial British academic couple newly arrived on the campus of a troubled American college.
Sunday, October 13 VERITAS, by Betty Shamieh
Director TBA
3 pm Deerfield Community Center
In the 1660s Harvard College’s governors insisted that Native American youths be trained at the College as Christian ministers to be able to convert their tribes to Christianity. This play explores the lives of the first four of these early converts and the attitudes at the time toward them. Post-show discussion led by historians & members of local Native American communities.
Further details at www.silverthornetheater.org or call 413-768-7514.
Smith College Department of Theatre presents AS YOU LIKE IT by William Shakespeare
directed by Daniel Elihu Kramer
April 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 at 7:30 PM in Theatre 14
The Smith College Department of Theatre presents AS YOU LIKE IT, by William Shakespeare April 19-20 and 25-27 at 7:30 PM in Theatre 14, directed by Daniel Elihu Kramer. A pastoral romantic comedy that features one of Shakespeare's most beloved heroines, AS YOU LIKE IT subverts the traditional rules of romance. Gender roles, nature and politics are confused in a play that reflects on how bewildering yet utterly pleasurable life can be.
A girl named Rosalind is in love with a boy named Orlando, which is convenient because they’ve been banished to the same forest. Orlando is in love with Rosalind. Orlando is also very attracted to a boy named Ganymede. And what does it mean to be a girl or a boy anyway? Or to play one? Director Daniel Kramer says, "As You Like It explores love and freedom. In it, a young woman pretends to be a young man who is pretending to be a young woman, and she draws the attention of both a young man and a young woman. The play takes on new meaning in a time of more fluid gender identities."
The Smith production will put the action, and the audience, on the Theatre 14 stage in a reworking of the theatre's classic proscenium space. Costumes are designed by Smith Professor, Kiki Smith. Priscilla Yichen Zhou and Lisa Mena are the student designers for sets and lighting. The script has been adapted for length by Smith Professor Kramer who adds, "It's a delight creating this comedy with a cast of fifteen students and wonderful student and faculty designers and crew."
General Admission: $10 Adults/$5 Students & Seniors Free for Smith Students with ID card
To purchase tickets:
www.smith.edu/smitharts
Shakespeare Stage presents The Tempest
4/19/19 at 7:30 PM, 4/20/19 @ 7:30PM; 4/21/19 6:30PM
33 Hawley Street
The Tempest is the story of facing Nature's superior power over man and woman and the humble journey of those who suffer and in the end, surmount such adversity. Neither a comedy nor a tragedy, The Tempest is a magical and spiritual experience that focuses on many different aspects of love or lack thereof: Romantic, Fraternal, and love of drink to name a few.
Come with us on this tempestuous journey as we set the stage between the 1st and 2nd World War. A time when the great globe itself was facing such tumult and fear of complete destruction and annihilation. Will we succumb to technological advancements or will the heart, will love win in the end?
Shakespeare Stage strives to provide artistic enrichment in the Pioneer Valley and beyond. Through passionate performances, involvement from the community, and the pursuit of dramatic growth and excellence, we contribute to the increasing importance of the arts and theatre for our neighbors.
Happier Valley Comedy presents Happier Family Comedy Show
April 20 at 3:00 PM
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (125 W Bay Rd., Amherst)
Monthly family-friendly improv comedy show, great for 5-12 year olds and their adults. It's funny for the whole family! Saturday, April 20th at 3pm at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (125 W Bay Rd., Amherst). Tickets at the door: $10/Adults, $5/Kids, Free/4 yrs and under (Reduced admission for museum members). For more info: www.happiervalley.com.
Happier Valley Comedy presents HVC Presents: Not In Charge
April 20 at 7:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy Theater, 1 Mill Rd, Hadley, MA
Join the talented group Not In Charge for a polished, fast-paced improv show inspired by the improvisers' real life stories! Saturday, April 20th at 7pm at the new Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). And stick around after for the 9pm showcase and open improv jam! Tickets: $10 online and at the door. For more info: www.happiervalley.com.
“TALES OF THE LOST FORMICANS” PLAYWRIGHT WILL ATTEND OPENING NIGHT OF SILVERTHORNE’S 2019 SEASON
Silverthorne Theater Company is honored to open our 2019 Season with Constance Congdon’s modern classic, Tales of the Lost Formicans The play opens Thursday, April 25 and runs through May 4 in The Perch at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield.
Opening night for Tales, April 25, will be UNITED WAY NIGHT, with all tickets priced at $30, proceeds to benefit the United Way of Franklin County. Patrons will meet Playwright Constance Congdon at a special Pre-Show Reception at 7 pm in the theater. Congdon is considered “One of the best playwrights our country, and our language, has produced.” (Tony Kushner) “Congdon writes like a woman possessed.” (Nels Nelson, New York Daily News) Her work appears in many collections and continues to be produced worldwide.
The play explores the themes of adolescence, aging parents, fragile memory, lost love & divorce unfold in a collage of moving & hilarious encounters among family members, the people around them -- and the aliens who are studying them, trying to make sense of the complex dynamics of the family and its environment.
Tales Director and Amherst College Theater Professor Yagil Eliraz (Northamptong) is a colleague of playwright Congdon, Professor Emeritus of Playwriting. A native of Israel, this is the first professional production Eliraz has directed in this country since coming here three years ago.
The cast includes Stephanie Carlson*(Easthampton) as Cathy, Frank Aronson* (West Whately) as her father Jim. (*Members of Actors Equity Association) Polly Pillsbury (Petersham) plays Evelyn, Jim’s wife while Molly MacLeod (Holyoke) plays Cathy’s teenage daughter. Val Vaille (Gill) portrays Judy, Cathy’s best friend; Joe Cardozo (Amherst) plays another well-meaning friend. Michael Marceline (Greenfield) rounds out the cast as Alien/Actor #7.
Abigail Douglas (Amherst) will stage manage the productions; Mike Bullock will design the sound. John Iverson (Bernardston), Tech Director, designs the sets and lighting; and Reba-Jean Shaw-Pichette (Deerfield), Costume Designer, provides costuming.
Ticket and reservation information may be found on Silverthorne’s web site. Tickets for all shows are currently available at Eventbrite.com, or by calling 413-768-7514. Patrons can now use credit cards at the door or over the phone.
Exit 7 Players present Avenue Q
Exit 7 Theater, 37 Chestnut St, Ludlow, MA, 0156
April 26-May 12, Friday’s and Saturday’s at 8pm, Sunday’s at 2pm
Winner of the Tony "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q is part flesh, part felt and pac
