Shakespeare & Company to present virtual Fall Festival of Shakespeare
Lenox — In light of COVID-19, Shakespeare & Company will present an online version of its annual Fall Festival of Shakespeare Friday, Dec. 18, through Sunday, Dec. 20, featuring graduating seniors of Berkshire and Columbia counties. The event celebrates the culmination of a five-week program in which 30 students came together to explore creative thinking, teamwork and Shakespeare as they created 45-minute virtual performances to be shared with their classmates and wider communities.
Led by education director Kevin G. Coleman, the Shakespeare & Company education artists, and Shakespeare & Company costumers, this virtual Fall Festival, like past Fall Festivals, is a noncompetitive celebration. Daily rehearsals over the past five weeks have built on students’ personal connection to the text and the language. Students also had the opportunity to develop skills in stage combat, performance aesthetics, dance, technical theater, costuming, stage management, marketing and publicity during the virtual Fall experience.
Senior students of this year’s special Fall Festival join the company from eight different area schools: Berkshire Waldorf High School, Chatham High School, Lee Middle and High School, Monument Mountain Regional High School, Mount Everett Regional School, Mount Greylock Regional School, Springfield Central High School, and Taconic High School. Shakespeare & Company education artists directing in this year’s festival include Lori Evans, Rory Hammond, Madeleine Maggio, Devante Owens, Kristen Peacock and Nick Nudler. Costumes are designed by Company costume director Govane Lohbauer.
The event is free and open to the public. Donations are encouraged. Registration is required. For a performance schedule and more information or to register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Shakespeare & Company at (413) 637-3353.
–E.E.
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Barrington Stage Company to present ‘BSC’s Holiday Getaway’
Pittsfield — Barrington Stage Company will present “BSC’s Holiday Getaway,” a virtual concert starring Alan H. Green, Alysha Umphress and Joel Waggoner from Friday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m. through Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Filmed in advance at BSC’s Boyd-Quinson Mainstage, “BSC’s Holiday Getaway” will be a holiday concert unlike any other to commemorate a year unlike any other. Three of Barrington Stage’s favorite performers will join forces to spread some much-needed seasonal cheer — and relief that 2020 is almost over — with an evening of hilarious new holiday songs as well as traditional favorites.
Tickets are available with a donation of $25 or more. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Barrington Stage Company at info@barringtonstageco.org.
–E.E.
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Railroad Street Youth Project to hold virtual cook-along
Great Barrington — On Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Railroad Street Youth Project will hold a virtual cook-along to celebrate the accomplishments of its culinary arts apprenticeship participants.
Every year, RSYP holds a five-course dinner prepared by the program’s young chefs and their mentors. This year, due to COVID-19, RSYP invites the community to experience culinary apprenticeship cooking virtually along with alumna Kirsten Thorn to make one dish together as a community.
The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required. Registered participants will be sent a Zoom link and password along with a recipe card and supply/ingredient list prior to the event. For more information or to register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, or contact Tiffany Riva at (413) 717-1560 or tiffany@rsyp.org.
–E.E.
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‘A Virtual Christmas Spectacular’ to light up St. Ann Church
Lenox — On Friday, Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m., St. Ann Church will present the “A Virtual Christmas Spectacular” concert led by musical duo Ron Ramsay and Samantha Talora, who will be joined by Eileen Markland on violin and Charlie Tokarz on woodwinds, along with Jennie Collins, Lelia Gillespie, Lillian Colvin, Hayden Hoffman and the Welch Sisters.
“I wish we could include all of the children, but the most important thing is to find the safest way to bring cheer to everyone this season,” said Ramsay. “Hopefully next year we will be back to our complete, wonderful group. We miss singing with them!”
The performance is free and open to the public. Limited seats are available for an in-person audience. The concert will be available to stream online. Donations will be accepted online and in person to support the St. Ann Music Fund. For more information or to make reservations, contact (413) 212-4459 or info@samandron.com.
–E.E.
