The Royal Ballet to perform at Jacob’s Pillow
Becket— Jacob’s Pillow has announced a historic engagement at Jacob’s Pillow. The Royal Ballet of the United Kingdom will make its debut at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival for The Royal Ballet’s sole appearance in the United States in 2024.
In another festival first, The Royal Ballet will take over the second week of the festival from July 3rd through July 7th. There will be daily back-to-back performances by The Royal Ballet in both the indoor Ted Shawn theatre and on the outdoor Henry J. Leir Stage. The program includes a World Premiere by Wayne McGregor and a U.S. Premiere by Pam Tanowitz. The opening night will include Principal dancer Natalia Osipova in Ashton’s evocation of Isadora Duncan.
The Royal Ballet is one of the most famous and celebrated ballet companies in the world. Based in London, the company has been in residence at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden since 1946. The company was founded by Dame Ninette de Valois in 1931—the same year that modern dance pioneer Ted Shawn purchased the rural farm property in Massachusetts that would become the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.
Full festival programming will be announced by February. Tickets will go on sale in the spring. More information can be found online.
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Barrington Stage Company 30th anniversary season will feature ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ and ‘Next to Normal’
Pittsfield— Alan Paul, artistic director of Barrington Stage Company (BSC), is pleased to announce initial productions for the 2024 season, which will also mark BSC’s 30th anniversary.
BSC will produce the Tony Award-winning musical “La Cage aux Folles”, and the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, “Next to Normal,” which will be directed by Mr. Paul.
“I have been thinking about the many variations of what constitutes a family, which is an element I feel that is explored, in very different ways, in both the ebullient La Cage aux Folles, and the gripping Next to Normal,” commented Alan Paul. “We are really thrilled to announce these two sensational musicals as the tentpoles of our 30th anniversary season, with a lot of exciting news still to come.”
The original 1983 Broadway production of “La Cage aux Folles” won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book. Broadway revivals in 2005 and 2010 also received Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical. Based on the 1973 French play of the same name, it turned into the 1978 French film comedy as well as the 1996 American remake, “The Birdcage,” starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. The original Broadway production of “Next to Normal” won three 2009 Tony Awards including Best Score, and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
Single tickets for the 2024 season will go on sale in March 2024. Season passes are now on sale. More information can be found online.
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The Clark Art Institute announces its 2024 summer exhibitions
Williamstown— The Clark Art Institute announces its summer 2024 schedule featuring a robust program of exhibitions, events, and activities. Leading its summer program is a major new exhibition of works by French artist Guillaume Lethière featuring eighty paintings, prints, and drawings. Organized in partnership with the Musée du Louvre (Louvre Museum), the exhibition premieres at the Clark and then travels to Paris for an autumn 2024 exhibition at the Louvre.
“We are already looking forward to summer 2024,” said Olivier Meslay, Hardymon Director of the Clark Art Institute. “Our exhibition on Guillaume Lethière promises to be an exceptional opportunity to reintroduce this important artist to the world after nearly two centuries of his reputation languishing in history books. Curating this exhibition with my colleague Esther Bell is a joy as we work to bring Lethière’s amazing story to life through new scholarship, some remarkable discoveries, and a modern perspective on a fascinating period. Our summer will be rich with other wonderful presentations including a special overview of works from the Corning Museum of Glass, a fresh take on Edgar Degas’s artistic methods and techniques, and solo presentations of David-Jeremiah and Kathia St. Hilaire, who are both vital and emerging voices in contemporary art.”
The Clark’s summer exhibitions open on a staggered schedule, beginning in May. The program includes Kathia St. Hilaire: Invisible Empires, Guillaume Lethière, Treasures from the Corning Museum of Glass, Edgar Degas: Multi-Media Artist in the Age of Impressionism, and David-Jeremiah: I Drive Thee.
More information can be found online.
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The Stockbridge Library Museum & Archives presents Joan Burkhard: Paintings from Life and Beyond
Stockbridge— Through the month of December, The Stockbridge Library Museum & Archives presents Joan Burkhard: Paintings from Life and Beyond.
As a child, artist Joan Burkhard spent time in her father’s darkroom. She found the process fascinating and magical, which she says was fundamental to her love of a canvas and a brush – images appearing on blank surfaces.
Throughout the course of her life, she felt inspired and influenced by the beautiful physical surroundings and seasons of the Berkshire Hills, and over her 50-year career in human services, she assisted people with disabilities to develop their creative talents through art, as well as music, dance, poetry, and writing. Her work has been shown at libraries, community centers, competitive art shows, and at local galleries. Of her art, Burkhard said, “I paint what I love – and as someone who cares deeply for people, I am often drawn to the human form to attempt to capture a moment in time. Thanks, Dad, for planting the seed.”
The exhibit runs through the month of December at the Stockbridge Library on Main Street in Stockbridge. More information about the artist can be found online.
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The Guild of Berkshire Artists presents the second in a series of small works exhibits at the Art on Main Gallery
West Stockbridge— From December 8th through December 24th, the Guild of Berkshire Artists presents the second in a series of small works exhibits at the Art on Main Gallery.
This exhibit includes artists Amy Pressman, Barbara Patton, Susan Sabino, Lori Bradley, and Carolyn Abrams with paintings, pottery and photography perfect for gift giving or decorating.
The exhibit runs from December 8th through December 24th at Art on Main Gallery on Main Street in West Stockbridge. There is an opening reception on Saturday, December 9th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Holiday gallery hours are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More information can be found online.
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You’re invited to OLLI at BCC’s Winter 2024 Open House
Pittsfield— On Wednesday, December 13th from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Berkshire Community College (BCC) is hosting an open house.
Whether you are brand new to the OLLI at BCC or a seasoned member of our learning community, you’re invited to meet OLLI members and instructors, ask questions, take a tour of the BCC campus, and enjoy hot apple cider and snacks. Onsite registration will also be available. At OLLI, there are no tests, no grades – just learning for the love of learning!
OLLI’s winter term runs from January 22nd to March 13th and includes a mix of in-person, online, and hybrid courses. Registration will open on December 12.
The open house is on Wednesday, December 13th from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Berkshire Community College on West Street in Pittsfield. It is free and open to the public. More information can be found online, by emailing olli@berkshirecc.edu, or by calling 413-236-2190.
