Two of The Triplex’s theaters have been open for two weeks now and on December 15th we will open the third of our four theaters. We’re off to a great start! We sold out “The Holdovers” opening night and everyone seemed delighted to be back in the movie theater once again. There were lots of “oohs” and “aahs” over the redesign of the lobby and the audience applauded the pre-roll made by local filmmaker Ted Marcus. State Senator Paul Mark stopped by to have a walk-through of the theaters and then stayed to discuss the Triplex’s plans going forward.
“Maestro,” which opens on December 15th will also launch the beginning of our “Bernstein on Film” series, which will feature talkbacks on Maestro and the three films that Bernstein wrote the scores for “On the Waterfront,” “West Side Story” and “On the Town.”.
We are delighted to announce that on Sunday, December 17th, the 1 pm screening of “Maestro” will be followed by a conversation between Nina Bernstein Simmons, the younger daughter of Mr. Bernstein, and Stephen Wadsworth, a longtime collaborator of Mr. Bernstein with whom he wrote the opera “A Quiet Place.” This promises to be an interesting exchange between the two as they discuss Bernstein the artist and the man.
On Wednesday, December 20th at 1pm, we’re excited that Deborah Reinisch, an Emmy award-winning producer and director, will introduce and lead a talkback to the original “West Side Story” and at 7pm will do the same for “On the Waterfront.” Ms.Reinisch, who has also taught directing, production and film history at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and Columbia University, says, “The emotional clarity, power and sophistication of Bernstein’s score for “On the Waterfront” continue to move and challenge me to this day.”
On Thursday, December 21st at 2pm, we’re thrilled that Julianne Boyd, the founder and former Artistic Director of the Barrington Stage Company, will lead a talkback after the screening of “On the Town.” Barrington Stage Company produced an immensely successful stage version of “On the Town” that went on to Broadway. Ms. Boyd will discuss the differences between the film and stage versions and what changes they were allowed to make in the book to make it more viable for today’s audiences. Ms. Boyd conceived and directed the Broadway production of “Eubie!“ that received three Tony nominations and produced the world premiere of “Freud’s Last Session” that will soon be a major motion picture starring Anthony Hopkins.
In addition to our “Bernstein on Film” series, in the coming weeks the Triplex will be showing “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Napoleon,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Wonka,” “The Boys in the Boat,” plus many well-known older films.
Also, we’re thrilled to announce that Maureen O’Flynn, an actor and retired international opera soprano, will be joining the cast for our fundraising event Bring Back the Movies – The Holidays on December 16th that will be held at the McConnell Theatre at Bard College at Simon’s Rock. Ms. O’Flynn enjoyed a 30-year career as a leading soprano in the world’s great opera houses, delighting audiences in both musical theater and stage productions.
Ms. O’Flynn enthusiastically joins the cast to help raise funds for the Triplex. She says, “A community-supported movie theater is a sign of health in the community – one that celebrates Art and Creativity in a diverse and inclusive way – and brings people together, connects, gives voice to one and all. I’m all about that! I’m thrilled to help bring this to all of us here in the beloved Berkshires.”Bring Back the Movies – the Holidays will recreate live favorite holiday movie moments from such films as “Miracle on 34th Street,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Home Alone” and “Love Actually” as well as songs from “The Sound of Music,” “White Christmas” and Adam Sandler’s famous “Chanukah Song.” This promises to be a joyous, family-friendly holiday event, perfect for all ages. Besides Maureen O’Flynn, the cast includes Jayne Atkinson, Greg Boover, Maconnia Chesser, Michael Gill, Danny Osman, David Rasche and others. Gigi and Tom Teeley will provide the music and Michelle Joyner will direct. To buy tickets, please go to our website: thetriplex.org.
In closing, I would like to share a quote by Leonard Bernstein that I came upon while preparing for the upcoming “Bernstein on Film” series, “To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.” This quote perfectly illustrated to me what saving the Triplex has been like these past few months. We had a plan and we didn’t have much time to enact it. But for us to achieve great things we need one more ingredient – the community’s continued support – to keep the dream of a thriving Triplex a reality for many years to come. If you are able to donate, please go to thetriplex.org . . . or come to the movies!
