by Mark G. Auerbach
Faust Revisited
Lust, power and greed –how far would you go to get what you want? In Goethe’s legendary tale, Faust makes a deal with the devil
Eric Ort. Photo by Christopher Noll.
Mephistopheles and trades his soul to find satisfaction that has been unattainable. But when Faust seduces the attractive Gretchen with Mephistopheles’ help, Gretchen’s life is shattered and Faust’s world falls apart – or does it?
The Hartford Symphony performs Lizst’s Faust Symphony, with a script by Hartford columnist and radio personality Colin McEnroe, staging by TheaterWorks’ Eric Ort, a couple of actors, and Maestra Carolyn Kuan on the podium, March 10-12 at the intimate Belding Theatre at TheBushnell in Hartford.
Franz Lizst wrote his Faust Symphony as a character study of the three main characters in the Faustian legend, Dr. Faust, Mephistopheles, and Gretchen. Hartford Symphony Meastra Kuan envisioned the theatricality behind the symphonic work, so she invited Colin McEnroe and tEric Ort to collaborate to bring a sense of theatre to Lizst’s music.
According to Ort, the three have been in collaboration since last July. “We’re not retelling the Goethe story as it might have been envisioned by Lizst, but we’re taking the essence of the three characters, and exploring the motivations of their actions with a contemporary sensibility.” Ort adds that “Maestra Kuan likes to challenge the Hartford Symphony audiences to listen to music in new ways, and she has incorporated other art forms into the symphonic experience, from dance to acrobatics, to food..
James Barry
A Connecticut-based director and educator, Eric Ort is artistic associate at TheaterWorks, where he worked on productions of Time Stands Still, The Other Place, Dancing Lessons and Midsummer. As a theater educator, Eric most recently taught at Brooklyn College and before that was longtime director of theater at Miss Porter’s School. Eric was part of the creative team for Assembly Required at the Brooklyn Museum. He’s currently working on TheaterWorks production of Next to Normal.
For details: 860-987-5900 or www.hartfordsymphony.org
Think Summer!
Rylan Morsbach
Berkshire Theatre Group Reveals Summer Season
It’s going to be a busy summer on the Berkshire Theatre Group’s campuses in Stockbridge and Pittsfield, with award-winning musicals at The Unicorn and Colonial Theatre, a new play, an old beloved classic, and a fresh take on a landmark American playwright’s early work.
According to Kate Maguire, BTG’s Artistic Director, “Our 89th Season kicks off with the Tony Award-winning jukebox musical, Million Dollar Quartet filled with the songs of legendary rock and rollers, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis. James Barry, whose been with this show for several years and has been in over 14 productions at BTG, will serve as director and music director, and will give this production a fabulous flair.”
The beloved musical classic The Music Man plays an etended run at The Colonial Theatre. Travis G. Daly and Mark Gionfriddo stage and music direct the “76 Trombones” musical, which stars Rylan Mosbach, a
Tara Franklin
young actor whose has made a big impression for his performances in The Homecoming and Fiorello!.
Edward Albee, who passed away last fall,, is undoubtedly one of the greatest American playwrights, and The Zoo Story was a landmark production of American theatre. Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo (Zoo story) will be directed by Eric Hill, who has directed many successful productions at The Unicorn Theatre, most recently The Homecoming. This production stars BTG favorites David Adkins, Joey Collins and Tara Franklin.
Arsenic and Old Lace, a very funny classic is on the schedule, to be directed by Gregg Edelman, along with a new play by David Auburn, called Lost Lake. One production is still to be announced.
For details: 413-997-4444 or www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org
Keep in Mind…
Painting Churches, Tina Howe’s award-winning play about an artist who comes home to paint a portrait o her aging parents, is at The Majestic in West Springfield through April 2.
Rand Foerster directs. Ellen Colton and Anderson Matthews play the aging parents; Eve Passeltiner plays the artist. Painting Churches was one of the highlights of StageWest’s 1986 season. It’s a very sentimental play about a daughter becoming the parent to parents who can’t always remember.For details: 413-747-7797 or www.majestictheater.com.
Yevgeny Kutik. Photo by Corey Hayes
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra presents Scotland: A Celebration, with Maestro Kevin Rhodes conducting on March 11 at Springfield Symphony Hall. Violinist Yevgeny Kutik joins the orchestra for a performance that includes: Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46 (Schottische Fantasie) Violin Concerto; Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides, Op. 26 and Mendelssohn’s Scott Symphony No. 3, Op. 56 in A minor. For details: 413-733-2291 or www.springfieldsymphony.org.
The UMass/Amherst Department of Music and Dance presents the 36th Annual Jazz Showcase on March 9, featuring performances by their top instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles featuring works from a variety of movie soundtracks, including blockbusters like Star Wars, The Godfather, The Lion King, Rocky, along with selections from the Austin Powers and the James Bond series. For details: 413-545-2511 or www.fineartscenter.com/musicanddance
So Long, Farewell, and Thanks.
Two people beloved within the arts community have passed away. Malcolm Johnson, theatre critic for The Hartford Courant, and a major New England arts writer. passed away on February 8. For decades, he covered theatre and entertainment in Connecticut and W.Mass,, until he retired from The Courant in 2003. Teddy Bernstein, longtime owner of Blodgett’s Music Store in Springfield, passed away on February 14. Blodgett’s was the place to go to buy sheet music and instruments. Both will be missed.
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Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
