BIFF to screen ‘The Story of Plastic’
Great Barrington — The Berkshire International Film Festival will present the documentary film “The Story of Plastic” Sunday, March 8, in the Bard College at Simon’s Rock Daniel Arts Center. Following the film will be a panel discussion featuring Berkshire Environmental Action Team executive director Jane Wynn and No Fracked Gas in Mass cofounder Rosemary Wessel.
Directed by Deia Schlosberg, “The Story of Plastic” uncovers the ugly truth behind the current global plastic pollution crisis. Footage shot over three continents illustrates the ongoing catastrophe: fields of garbage, veritable mountains of trash, rivers and seas clogged with waste, and skies choked with the poisonous runoff from plastic production and recycling processes. Original animations, interviews with experts and activists, and never-before-filmed scenes reveal the disastrous consequences of the flood of plastic smothering ecosystems and poisoning communities around the world — and the global movement rising up in response.
Tickets are $10, and free for BIFF REEL Friends as well as Simon’s Rock students and faculty. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call Berkshire International Film Festival at (413) 528-8030.
–E.E.
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Comedy at the Plaza to benefit Berkshire Human Society
Pittsfield — On Saturday, March 7, at 8 p.m., ZipStohr Comedy will present Comedy at the Plaza No. 40 at the Holiday Inn & Suites Pittsfield-Berkshires, featuring Chris Franjola, Carole Montgomery and Usama Siddiquee.
Franjola is a writer/comedian who can be heard hosting his podcast “Cover To Cover With Chris Franjola.” He is a regular panel guest on Comedy Central’s “Lights Out with David Spade” and FOX’s “Punchline.” In addition to being a writer and regular performer on E!’s “Chelsea Lately,” he has been seen on FOX‘s “Funniest Fails.” He has also written for “Family Guy” and the MTV Video Music Awards.
Comedian, writer, director, producer and mom Montgomery has had two comedy specials on Showtime. In addition to over two dozen television appearances, she has headlined clubs and colleges across the country and starred in two Las Vegas production shows.
Recently featured as one of the New Faces at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, Siddiquee made his standup TV debut on BET’s “50 Central.” He has been featured on Showtime’s “Desus & Mero,” MTV News and Bravo’s “Cash Cab.” He was a finalist for the New York’s Funniest competition at Caroline’s; a finalist in the StandUp NBC competition; first-place winner of the Devil Cup at the Laughing Devil Comedy Festival in New York; first-place winner of the Yonkers Comedy Festival, and the first-place winner of the Make Me Laugh Albany Comedy Festival.
Tickets are $25. A portion of proceeds will benefit Berkshire Humane Society. Patrons must be at least 18 years old with ID. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Berkshire Humane Society at (413) 447-7878.
–E.E.
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Theater critic Dwyer to exhibit at New York City book fair
New York City — Berkshire Edge theater critic Dan Dwyer will exhibit at the New York City Book and Ephemera Fair, to be held at Wallace Hall, Church of St. Ignatius Loyola. Dwyer, who also owns Johnnycake Books in Salisbury, Connecticut, will have with him hundreds of theater titles, including signed copies of first editions of plays and memoirs from the likes of Hal Prince, Edward Albee, Arthur Miller, George Abbott, Stephen Sondheim, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Harold Pinter, Athol Fugard, and others.
–E.E.
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Miss Hall’s School to present ‘Bring It On’
Pittsfield — The Miss Hall’s School Theater Ensemble will jump into the world of competitive cheerleading with its upcoming production of “Bring it On,” Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m. in the Woods Theater of the school’s Elizabeth Gatchell Klein Arts Center.
In the Tony Award-nominated musical loosely based on the 2000 film of the same name, high school senior and cheerleading captain Campbell expects to have her best year ever on the squad. As the school year is about to begin, however, she is redistricted to a school that doesn’t have a cheerleading team. There, she struggles to fit in and ultimately befriends members of the school dance crew, joining forces with the group’s leader to form a squad that hopes to compete for the National Cheerleading Championship.
Local students involved in the production include Emily Carmel of Pittsfield, as Campbell, Keely O’Gorman of Lee as Eva, Sammy Rusk of Lenox as Randall, Emma Adelson of Lee as Twig, Ella Biancolo of Pittsfield, Nya Mielke of Richmond, Symaira Elliott of Pittsfield, Olivia McKeon of Pittsfield, and Soleil Laurin of Pittsfield as stage manager. The show is directed by Jennifer Jordan, director of theater and dance at Miss Hall’s. Tuan Gurney is the cheer choreographer.
Tickets are $10 and reservations are recommended. Senior citizen and accessible seating are available. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Miss Hall’s School at (413) 443-6401.
–E.E.
