‘Kunstler’ at Barrington Stage
Pittsfield — Barrington Stage Company presents the Creative Place International/And Theatre Company production of “Kunstler” by Jeffrey Sweet through Saturday, June 10.
Directed by Meagen Fay, “Kunstler” stars BSC veteran Jeff McCarthy (“Broadway Bounty Hunter,” “All My Sons,” “Sweeney Todd”) as the self-described “radical lawyer” and civil rights activist William Kunstler with Erin Roché in her BSC debut as the whip-smart student who opposes him.
A civil rights pioneer and attorney so famous he played himself on “Law & Order,” Kunstler the ACLU’s board of directors from 1964–72 and gained prominence serving as defense attorney for the Freedom Riders and the Chicago Seven as well as members of the Black Panther Party, Attica Prison rioters, the American Indian Movement and Weather Underground. As an attorney in private practice in New York City, he continued to court headlines with controversial clients, from defending Omar Abdel-Rahman for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing to mafia figures like John Gotti.
A post-show talkback will take place Saturday, May 20, with playwright Jeffrey Sweet, who will discuss the process of writing “Kunstler.” BSC’s Conversations With… series will begin Saturday, June 3, with “Karin Kunstler: An Up-Close Portrait of Her Father, William Kunstler,” moderated by BSC artistic director Julianne Boyd.
Tickets are $15–$48. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call the BSC box office at (413) 236-8888.
–E.E.
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Berkshire Bach Society to present ‘Bach on Parade’
Great Barrington — On Saturday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m., Berkshire Bach Society will present “Bach on Parade: Voices, Strings and Keys” at Saint James Place. The concert will feature performances by the Mendelssohn Glee Club, a string quartet, selected vocal soloists and conductor Gene Wisoff.
The program will include the Bach pieces Air on the G String; Bist Du Bei Mir; Jesu, joy of man’s desiring, BWV 147; Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme; and others as well as Catches and Canons by Henry Purcell.
Tickets are $30–$50 and free for all students with ID. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Berkshire Bach Society at (413) 528-9555 or info@berkshirebach.org.
–E.E.
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Mount Everett to stage ‘Into the Woods’
Sheffield — Mount Everett Regional High School will stage the Tony Award-winning musical “Into The Woods” on Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 21, at 3 p.m.
Inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, “Into the Woods” follows the classic characters as they explore the consequences of their wishes, dreams and quests. The stories of Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and Cinderella are tied together with a more original story involving a baker, his wife, their quest to begin a family, and a wicked witch.
Featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, “Into the Woods” Mount Everett’s production boasts a cast and crew of more than 30 students from the seventh through 12th grades. The show is directed by Ralph Petillo with musical direction by Carlton Maaia II.
Tickets are $10 general admission and $7 for children and seniors. All ticket sales and concession proceeds will benefit the Southern Berkshire Regional School District’s arts programming. For more information, call (413) 229-8778 x127.
–E.E.
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BCC to offer free music seminar
Great Barrington — Berkshire Community College will offer “Music Matters, ” a free music seminar led by Berkshire County music teachers Karen Berger and David Hodge, Monday, May 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at its South County Center.
The purpose of the seminar is to show why learning to play a musical instrument is important to a child’s growth and development and to teach adults how to assist their children as well as themselves in learning to play a musical instrument. Attendees will learn about studies demonstrating the benefits of music education, participate in discussions about the importance of practice, and receive practical advice on what constitutes good practice habits.
For more information, call BCC at (413) 528-4521.
–E.E.
