LENOX, Mass. — On Thursday, July 7 at 7:30pm WAM Theatre is hosting a MisCast Cabaret Benefit Performance, hosted by Jayne Atkinson. WAM artists, accompanied by live musicians, will perform favorite Broadway songs from roles in which they would not be traditionally cast. Question traditional casting while hearing your favorite songs from Hamilton, South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof and more.
This benefit performance supports WAM Theatre’s Education and Community Engagement programs— empowering and uplifting women and girls here in Berkshire County and beyond.
Patrons are able to pick their price and their seat with sliding-scale ticket prices ranging from $50-$250. Buy tickets here: https://themahaiwe.secure.force.com/ticket/#/instances/a0F3w00000sY9aQEAS
WAM’s MisCast Cabaret, inspired by MCC Theater’s annual benefit but with a Berkshire twist, features local performers including Kyle Boatwright (Bright Half Life), Jasmine Rochelle Goodspeed (Kamloopa), Wendy Welch (ROE), KD McTeigue (The New Galileos, ROE), Tom Truss (The Thanksgiving Play), Alika Hope (The New Galileos), Molly Parker Myers (The Thanksgiving Play), Lynn Festa, and host Jayne Atkinson (ANN). They will be joined on stage by Craig Pinder (West End’s original company of Les Misérables, Mama Mia!, and Fiddler on the Roof) and Berkshire musicians Bob Shepherd and Daniel Broad.
— S. B.
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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College Museum of Art Summer Program Series ‘Immersions’ opens July 7 at 5:30pm, and will be followed by a reception on the WCMA patio at 6:30pm. The gallery will remain open until 8pm. The programs and receptions are all free and open to the public.
Brooklyn-based medieval music ensemble Alkemie will make their Berkshires debut with a performance of Verdant Medicine: Hildegard’s Resonant Apothecary, inspired by the life and writings of the twelfth century mystic, medic, and musician Hildegard von Bingen. This performance will take place in the Thompson Memorial Chapel, directly across Main Street from the museum.
The series continues on Thursday, July 21, at 5:30 p.m. when Williamstown Theatre Festival friends and alumni present an intimate evening of performative readings exploring subtleties of labor inspired by works in the galleries and beyond. This program will be held in the WCMA Rotunda.
The series concludes on Thursday, Aug 4, at 5:30 p.m. with the Kriyol Dance! Collective performing a new, original work titled Rasin San Bout (“Endless Roots” in Haitian Creole), which explores ideas of immigration, migration politics, and acculturation as critical factors influencing the health of Caribbean immigrant communities, in particular Haitian immigrants. This program will be held in the WCMA Rotunda.
WCMA is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursdays until 8 p.m. in July and August. Admission is free. Please note that masks and proof of vaccination against COVID-19 are required for visitors age 5 and up.
— S. B.
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CHATHAM, N.Y. — “Urinetown” makes its debut at the Mac-Haydn Theatre, running July 7-17. Planned for the Mac-Haydn’s 2020 season (but postponed due to COVID), the production is two years in the making.
Inspired by the works of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, “Urinetown” is a satirical musical. A dire water shortage, caused by a 20-year drought, has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens of Urinetown are forced to pay a single malevolent company to use the only available amenities, when one citizen of Urinetown decides that they’ve had enough.
Trey Compton makes his Mac-Haydn directorial debut after previously directing with The Fulton, Riverside, Engeman, Sierra Repertory, The Herb Strauss, Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, Millbrook Playhouse, and most recently at Cortland Repertory Theatre. Compton is joined by seasoned Mac-Haydn choreographer Elizabeth McGuire, whose previous credits in Chatham include “Camelot” (2019) and “Pippin” (2021). Broadway’s George Dvorsky returns to the Mac-Haydn stage as Caldwell B. Cladwell.
Vaccination and masks are required for all patrons. For tickets, please visit www.machaydntheatre.org or call the box office at (518) 392-9292.
— S. B.
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LAKEVILLE, Conn. — On Saturday, July 9th from 9am to Noon, the Salisbury Bank is offering a free community shred ‘Drive-thru’ day at the Lakeville branch— 5 Bissell Street, Lakeville, CT. This Community Shred ‘Drive-thru’ Day is free and open to anyone in order to help fight against identity theft.
Consider bringing a non-perishable donation as well— local food pantries need a variety of donations including: canned goods, powdered milk, whole-grain cereals, kitchen spices, macaroni and cheese, pancake/cake mix, peanut butter, condiments, pasta, granola/oatmeal, and tomato sauce. Household necessities such as paper towels, diapers, wipes, socks, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, and soap are also appreciated.
All shredded paper will be recycled and all collected items will be donated directly to local food pantries.
For more information on protecting yourself against identity theft, visit SalisburyBank.com/Personal/Customer-Security.
— S. B.
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PAWLING, N.Y. — Steve Katz of Blood, Sweat and Tears is playing a solo acoustic show ‘An Evening of Songs and Stories’ at Daryl’s House Thursday, July 7 at 8pm. Doors open at 5pm. Tickets are $20 for general admission with no guaranteed seating, $25 for reserved table seating. Purchase tickets here: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/steve-katz-of-blood-sweat-daryls-house-tickets/12010525?pl=daryl
Katz is an original founding member of the innovative jazz/rock group, Blood, Sweat and Tears, beginning in the late 60’s, and generated numerous charting hits. Steve was also an original member of popular mid-sixties Greenwich Village band, The Blues Project and American Flyer, and has producer credits on recordings for popular Irish band Horslips, and influential NYC artist, Lou Reed.
Katz has written his first book, an autobiography, BLOOD, SWEAT and MY ROCK ‘N’ ROLL YEARS…Is Steve Katz a Rock Star? More information at: https://stevekatzmusic.wordpress.com/
— S. B.
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STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — The Stockbridge Library Association is hosting its Annual Used Book Sale on Friday,July 8 from 9am to 5pm. The Sale continues Saturday, July 9, 9am to 5pm, and Sunday, July 10 from 10am to 4pm.
The Sale will take place on the Stockbridge Library Lawn, 46 Main St, Stockbridge, MA. Proceeds benefit the Stockbridge Library, Museum and Archives.
An early bird fee of $5 is applicable from 9am to 12pm on Friday, July 8.
For more information, 413.298.5501 or email info@stockbridgelibrary.org.
— S. B.
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CHESTER, Mass. — Chester Theatre Company presents Birds of North America by Anna Ouyang Moench. Birds of North America runs July 7 to 17 with performances Wednesday at 2pm, Thursday at 2pm and 7:30pm, Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2pm and 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2pm.
Birds of North America follows “a father and daughter who find in birding a surprising way to connect—to understand more about themselves, each other, and the changing world around them.”
All performances will take place in Chester’s Historic Town Hall, 15 Middlefield Rd, Chester, MA.
Individual ticket prices are $52.50. Chester and Middlefield residents, members of the military and their families, ConnectorCare enrollees, and those holding EBT/SNAP cards may purchase discounted tickets by calling the box office. Student Rush $10 tickets are available the day of the show. Purchase tickets online at chestertheatre.org or by phone at 413.354.7771.
— S. B.
