MARK AUERBACH
Newsies
If you saw Kinky Boots at The Bushnell or La Cage Aux Folles at Goodspeed this summer, you know that Harvey Fierstein can write a laugh-filled, sentimental, tight script for any musical. Newsies, his adaptation of the Disney movie, with a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman, plays The Bushnell October 13-18, after a successful Broadway run and national tour. Christopher Gatelli’s choreography is breathtaking. Set in New York City at the turn of the century, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a ragged band of teenage “newsies” who strike for what’s right. Newsies is inspired by the real-life “Newsboy Strike of 1899”.
Touring with this national tour of Newsies, in the role of Darcy and in the ensemble is Westfield High School graduate Josh Burrage, who joined the Newsies company after graduation last year. Jeff Calhoun directed the tour. Newsies won two Tony Awards in 2012, one for Choreography and one for its Original Score.
For tickets: 860-987-5900 or www.bushnell.org.
Pops Season Begins
Faithfully: The Music of Journey launches the Springfield Symphony Pops season on October 17 at Springfield Symphony Hall. Featuring the Faithfully Rock Band and vocalists, The Pops celebrate the music of Journey, one of America’s most celebrated rock bands, whose hits include Don’t Stop Believing, Faithfully, Open Arms, Wheel in the Sky and many more. This will be an exciting evening, that may just have you dancing in the aisles! For details: 413-733-2291 or www.springfieldsymphony.org.
The Spy Who Loved Me, the music of James Bond, launches the Hartford Symphony Pops on October 24 at The Bushnell. Sheena Easton joins the Pops to perform music from Goldfinger, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, and music from other “spy” movies like Mission Impossible, Get Smart, Austin Powers, and more. Laura Jackson conducts. For details: 860-987-5900 or www.hartfordsymphony.org.
The Multiband Pops is the really big show at UMass Fine Arts Center Concert Hall on October 16. This 41st annual extravaganza showcases the Minuteman Marching Band and 13 other music and dance ensembles from the UMASS Music and Dance Department. They include Chamber Choir, Chapel Jazz, Horn Choir, Jazz Ensemble I, Marimba Ensembles, Percussion Ensemble, Saxophone Quartet, Symphony Band, Trombone Choir, UMass Dancers, UMass Amherst Symphony Orchestra, Vocal Jazz and Wind Ensemble. For details: 413 545 2511 or www.fineartscenter.com/musicanddance.
Passings
Warren Myers, Principal Percussionist of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra from 1956-1999, and the SSO’s Personnel Manager until 2010, passed away this summer. Warren was respected by musicians throughout western Massachusetts, and beloved by the many students whose lives he touched.
Joe Dzialo, the Longmeadow designer and artist, passed away on September 18. Although he was well-known as a graphic designer, he was a talented artist. One of his best known works was a painted fiberglass sneaker, painted to honor Dakin Humane Society, as part of the Art and Soles in downtown Springfield in 2010. Earlier this year, Starbucks in Longmeadow featured a series of his works.
Road Trip
The Book of Mormon visits New Haven’s Shubert Theatre on October 13-18. It’s only an hour or so down the road from Springfield, and it’s an historic theatre, where shows like My Fair Lady got their start. Plus New Haven has great restaurants. For details: http://www.shubert.com/
Keep in Mind…
Molly Ringwald will attend a 30th anniversary screening of The Breakfast Club, and participate in a discussion about her role in the landmark film on October 18 at Springfield Symphony Hall. Ringwald’s career has included the films Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles, Broadway appearances in Cabaret and Enchanted April. For details: 413-788-7033 or www.citystagesymphonyhall.com.
October is Play! in CT Fall Theatre Festival, when Connecticut’s Flagship Theatres join forces with a group of events and discounts for theatregoers. Six Connecticut theatres are participating: The O’Neill Festival, LongWharf Theatre, Yale Rep, Goodspeed, Hartford Stage, and Westport County Playhouse, For details: http://www.playinct.org/
Made in the Berkshires Festival celebrates its 5th Anniversary at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield and The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge on October 23-25, under the audpices of The Berkshire Theatre Group. The festival, a melange of visual and performing arts events created by Berkshires area talent, showcases the works of the creative industries in Western Massachusetts who call Berkshire County home. For details 413-997-4444 or www.berkshiretheatregroup.org.
The Berkshire Film and Media Exchange returns to the area (Baystate Health Conference Center in Holyoke) on October 23. Produced by the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative, it showscases area film makers and videographers and businesses who use local talent for their films and videos. Keynote speaker is Berkshires film maker Cynthia Wade, whose new movie, Freeheld, opens nationally this month. For details: www.berkshirefilm.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.
