MARK AUERBACH
Mary Poppins Flies into Pittsfield’s Colonial Theatre With a Cast of 100
Berkshire Theatre Group presents Mary Poppins, BTG”s 10th Annual Community Theatre Production, at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, with over 100 Berkshire County youth from August 13-23. A musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, Mary Poppins features a book by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey), original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, and new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Mary Poppins, a big Broadway hit a few seasons back, will be directed by Travis G. Daly, and choreographed by Kathy Jo Glover and Ilana Ransom Toeplitz. Mark Gionfriddo, creator and director of The Jazz Ensembles of Mount Holyoke’s The Big Broadcast, is music director and conductor.
Mark Gionfriddo of Berkshire Theatre Group’s Marry Poppins.
There is magic stirring in London, England at No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane, home to the troubled Banks family. George and Winifred Banks are frustrated and fed-up with their misbehaving children, Jane and Michael, who have once again sent a nanny running out the door. The seemingly endless search for a suitable caretaker comes to a halt when a nanny by the name of Mary Poppins appears at their door. Through whimsical lessons and unforgettable adventures, Mary Poppins shows Jane and Michael the magic of everyday life. Bert, an elusive Renaissance gent, narrates this timeless tale that captivates audiences with its alluring story, beautiful dance numbers and unforgettable songs including, “A Spoonful Of Sugar,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” and many more!
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Berkshire Theatre Group”s Annual Community Theatre Production. For the past 10 years, BTG”s community production has brought together children and adults who have learned from each other all in the midst of collaboration and creativity. Kate Maguire, Berkshire Theatre Group Artistic Director/CEO says, “What could be better than watching Bert and Mary fly over the audience, with 100 children on stage for our 10th annual community production. The iconic Mary Poppins represents love and sensibility—a perfect message to send to an audience of all ages. This enchanting production is filled with phenomenal dance numbers, giving the children the opportunity to show off their dancing chops.”
For details: 413-997-4444 or www.berkshiretheatregroup.org.
Joel Ripka
Theatre in The Hilltowns
In Huntington, James Emery and Mitch Giannunzio will take the stage David Mamet’s The Duck Variations, the second David Mamet play presented by the North Hall Arts Festival this season. Directed by Kenneth Tigar, The Duck Variations will take place in the performance space at the historic best online casino North Hall in Huntington on August 28-30.
“Mamet is by far one of the finest and most influential American playwrights of this or any era,” says Tigar. “He has a profound gift for creating memorable characters and situations while keeping us laughing at the same time.” The Duck Variations, Tigar says, is “a sweet-mouthed comedy, full of charm and hilarity as two men on a park bench watch the world go by—and explain its mysterious workings. It is about the nature of friendship and its limitations. And, of course, ducks.”
Therese Plaehn
Kenneth Tigar, a recipient of a Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Award, has appeared on Barney Miller and the Lethal Weapon movies, The Good Wife and The Avengers James Emery has performed in many productions with Northampton”s New Century Theatre and The Majestic Theatre in West Springfield. Mitch Giannunzio’s play Last Tag was made into a Sweepsweeks CBS-TV movie, Falling For You.
For details: 413-667-5543 or www.northhallhuntington.org
Chester Theatre Company will bring its 26th season to a close with the New England Premiere of Blink by British playwright Phil Porter (August 13-23). Not only will this production be a regional premiere, but it features the play’s first American cast – the Off Broadway production featured the original British cast.
Blink is the tale of Jonah and Sophie. It’s a quirky love story about virtual reality, fear of intimacy, and love in the digital age. Daniel Elihu Kramer, newly named Artistic Director of Chester Theatre, stages the play, which stars Joel Ripka and Therese Plaehn.
For details: 800-595-4TIX or www.chestertheatre.org.
Last Chance
On The Town, Broadway’s hit musical revival, which originated at Barrington Stage in Pittsfield, ends its Broadway run on September 6. It will have played 28 previews and 368 performances, making this the longest-running Broadway production of the show since the 1944 original. Beginning next week, American Ballet Theatre’s Misty Copeland will make her Broadway debut as ‘Ivy Smith. Copeland performs at the Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evening shows and the Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday matinees. For details: www.onthetownbroadway.com
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.
