MARK AUERBACH
A Majestic Summer
West Springfield’s Majestic Theater will host a line-up of concerts, children’s theatre, open mic nights, improv, and more these upcoming summer nights. There are lots of tribute nights on tap featuring some great area musicians. On the docket: The Driftwoods’ salute to The Beach Boys (June 28); Rick Larrimore’s Rod Stewart Tribute (July 10); “Ticket to Ride”, a Beatles evening (July 11); Donna Lee and the Landslide Band’ “Today, Tomorrow and Forever Patsy” special tribute to Patsy Cline (July 24). Area favorite Ray Guillemette Jr. appears in a country music night (July 12) and his signature “A Ray of Elvis” (August 16-17) and his new piece “The King and I” (August 17). Patrick Tobin, who has toured as Frank Sinatra globally, also appears in “Cher and Friends” (Lisa Carter is Cher) (July 25-26), and along side Jimmy Mazz in “Frankie and Dean: One for The Road (August 1). For information and tickets: http://majestictheater.com/summer.html
Patrick Tobin brings his Frank Sinatra persona to the Majestic Theater. (Photo by Walt Steinmetz)
Tanglewood Summer Deals No need to pay full price at Tanglewood this summer, when you see some of these deals available for Boston Symphony summer performances in Lenox. Lawn Pass Books offer 11 lawn admissions to most Tanglewood events, other than Popular Artists and “A Prairie Home Companion”. Price is $180 through June 21, and $190 after. Lawn tickets are free for folks 17 and under, when they’re accompanied by a parent or guardian. 20 Under 40. This program offers shed tickets at $20 to those under 40 for select performances. Tanglewood’s College Card. Students have the opportunity to attend an unlimited number of classical and orchestral concerts throughout the Tanglewood season for no additional cost. Tanglewood will offer the BSO’s popular college card at the orchestra’s summer home again this season. College students can purchase the college card for $25 (online, by phone or in person). Pioneer Valley Night is August 1. Discounted shed tickets are available at discount for those people living in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties. Family Day at Tanglewood will include a host of fun activities throughout the afternoon on Sunday, July 27. Kids are free, and can enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, musical demonstrations, balloon animal creations, and a gift bag will be provided to every child. Tanglewood offers combination tickets that include concerts, and one or more of the major museums in The Berkshires, including The Clark Art Institute, Chesterwood, and the Norman Rockwell Museum Detailed information about these programs is available at www.tanglewood.org.
Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall at dusk. (Photo by Steve Rosenthal)
TheaterWorks 2014-15 Season TheaterWorks, Hartford’s Off-Broadway style theatre, has announced its 29th season of five plays by award-winning, up-and-coming contemporary playwrights.Producing Artistic Director Rob Ruggiero calls the season “a diverse selection of works that though topically relevant and issue driven rely primarily on compelling storytelling”. “Our upcoming season is very exciting. I chose plays rich in story that would be meaningful, entertaining, colorful and engaging. Our commitment to telling stories that create dialogue and establish community is reflected in the plays I’ve selected. We’ve assembled an amazing group of playwrights. This season represents the kind of theater we believe in – important contemporary voices that capture our shared humanity and experiences.” said Ruggiero. The season includes new works and Connecticut premieres from Pulitzer Prize, Tony and Academy Award winning and nominated writers David Linsday-Abaire, Kristoffer Diaz and John Logan as well as recent works by audience favorites Mark St. Germain (best known for his affiliation with Pittsfield’s Barrington Stage) and Sharr White. The season includes Sharr White’s much-produced dark comedy “Annapurna”, which is also on the calendar at The Chester theatre Company”; Mark St. Germain’s new romantic comedy “Dancing Lesson” (in association with Barrington Stage; David Lindsay-Abaire’s 2011 Tony Award nomniee for “Best Play”, “Good People”. Also on the roster are: John Logan’s “I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat With Sue Mengers”, the story of the famous Hollywood agent (portrayed on Broadway last year by Bette Midler), and Kristofer Diaz’ Off-Broadway hit about pro wrestlers, “The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Diety”. For information:860.527.7838 or www.theaterworkshartford.org
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.
