The Mahaiwe presents ‘Waitress: The Musical’ in HD
Great Barrington— On Sunday, December 10th at 1 p.m., The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents “Waitress: The Musical”, an HD broadcast of the Tony-nominated Broadway phenomenon.
Composer-lyricist Sara Bareilles is Jenna Hunterson, a waitress and expert pie maker stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. When a baking contest in a nearby county offers her a chance at escape, Jenna fights to reclaim a long-forgotten part of herself. Through the support of her fellow waitresses and an unexpected romance, Jenna begins to find the courage to take a long-abandoned dream off the shelf. “Waitress” celebrates the power of friendship, dreams, the family we choose, and the beauty of a well-baked pie.
The Mahaiwe’s presentation of Waitress: The Musical marks a new partnership with broadcast entertainment provider Fathom Events. The partnership will allow for new offerings on the Mahaiwe big screen, in addition to the theater’s existing programs like The Met Live in HD and London’s National Theatre in HD.
The broadcast is on Sunday, December 10th at 1 p.m., The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Castle Street in Great Barrington. Tickets are $17 and $10 for youth ages 21 and under. Tickets and more information can be found online or by calling 413-528-0100.
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Broadway star Samantha Williams returns for the Williamstown Holiday Walk
Williamstown— On Sunday, December 3rd at 3 p.m., in partnership with the Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF), the Clark Art Institute presents “SAMMIE AND DAN: Singing and Holiday Cheer with Samantha Williams and Dan Rudin” as part of Williamstown’s 40th Annual Holiday Walk weekend.
Samantha Williams dazzled as a guest star in WTF’s summer 2023 cabaret, and now she returns to Williamstown with her best pal, Dan Rudin, and a whole act featuring favorite holiday tunes. She has been seen on Broadway as Emmie in the revival “Caroline, or Change”as well as Alana in “Dear Evan Hansen.” Other credits include Mabel in “Pirates Of Penzance” with Roundabout Theatre Company, starring alongside David Hyde Pierce.
Daniel Rudin is a musical director, composer, and orchestrator with a passion for bold musical storytelling. Recent Broadway conducting and piano credits include “MJ: The Musical” and “Caroline, Or Change”. Daniel is also the creator of the band Third Reprise, the TikTok sensation which reimagines classic show tunes in wild and fresh new arrangements.
As part of the Clark’s “First Sundays Free” program, admission to the galleries and special exhibitions is free on December 3rd from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a series of special “light” themed activities offered from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The free concert is on Sunday, December 3rd at 3 p.m. in the Clark’s auditorium, located in the Manton Research Center at The Clark Art Institute on South Street in Williamstown. Space is limited and advance reservations are strongly encouraged. Reservations and more information can be found online. A full Williamstown Holiday Walk line-up including horse-drawn carriage rides and more can be found online.
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Holiday Walk Weekend kick-off with Johnny Irion and U.S. Elevator at The Clark
Williamstown— On Friday, December 1st from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., The Clark Art Institute presents Johnny Irion and U.S. Elevator at The Clark to kick off the Williamstown Holiday Walk Weekend.
Berkshire County troubadour rocker Johnny Irion has been bringing folk-rock to western Massachusetts and the world for decades. He has performed with the likes of Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart, Superchunk, and Wilco. Irion will perform rich, layered arrangements of his new music, along with covers of John Lennon’s Christmas music.
The concert is on Friday, December 1st from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Clark’s auditorium, located in the Manton Research Center at The Clark Art Institute on South Street in Williamstown.Tickets are $10, $8 for members, $5 for youth ages 15 and under. Space is limited and advance reservations are required. Reservations and more information can be found online.
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Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas
Stockbridge— On Friday, December 1st through Sunday, December 2nd, the town of Stockbridge, made famous by Norman Rockwell’s painting of the village during the holidays, becomes a magical New England setting decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights as the town celebrates Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas.
Sponsored by the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce, the holiday celebration offers a full range of holiday activities for the entire family to enjoy including live Performances, historic property tours, holiday markets, unique shops, Winterlights, and Santa.
On Sunday from noon to 2 p.m., the town reenacts the spirit of Norman Rockwell’s famous holiday scene Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas with over 25 antique cars parked along the street (weather permitting) and a full range of festive activities to delight the child in everyone. Enjoy Roger the Jester and photo ops with Norman Rockwell. Hear holiday music by the Victorian Carolers. Children will enjoy face painting, stories, crafts, and a visit from Santa and his reindeer. Tickets are $5.00 and free for children under age 12. Horse drawn wagon rides by Clay Hill Farm will also be available for an additional fee.
A complete line-up of events and more information can be found online.
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Lauren Clark Fine Art presents ‘Big Art, Medium Size Art, Small Art and… COOKIES!’
Great Barrington— From Black Friday to New Years Eve, Lauren Clark Fine Art presents “Big Art, Medium Size Art, Small Art and… COOKIES!”
Join Lauren Clark Fine Art for homemade festive holiday treats and art every weekend from
Black Friday to New Years Eve. The gallery is open Thursday to Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. More information can be found online.
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Berkshire County Historical Society presents a holiday tea at Arrowhead
Pittsfield— On Sunday, December 3rd from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Berkshire County Historical Society presents a holiday tea at Arrowhead.
Celebrate the winter season at Arrowhead with a cozy tea in the historic house. A traditional tea with all the accompaniments will be provided by Kate Baldwin. The menu will include assorted teas, traditional tea sandwiches (egg salad & cucumber and dill), buttery scones with clotted cream served with preserves and marmalade, and cherry Bakewell tarts.
The entertainment will be live readings by local author Kevin O’Hara. O’Hara is the author of “Last of The Donkey Pilgrims” about his travels with Missie the donkey around Ireland, ”A Lucky Irish Lad” about his boyhood, “Ins and Outs of a Locked Ward” which chronicles O’Hara’s three decades as a nurse in Berkshire Medical Center’s psychiatric ward, and “A Christmas Journey” which includes sixteen of his annual Christmas columns published in The Berkshire Eagle.
The tea is on Sunday, December 3rd from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Arrowhead on Holmes Road in Pittsfield. Tickets are $30 and $25 for members. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Cantilena Chamber Choir presents ‘Christmas at Trinity’
Lenox— On Sunday, December 3rd at 3 p.m., Cantilena Chamber Choir presents ‘Christmas at Trinity’ at Trinity Church in Lenox.
Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is a story that has been told many times before. The Cantilena Chamber Choir will present selections from a brand-new version for soloists, choir, and narrator by Benedict Sheehan.
Two-time GRAMMY® nominee and American Prize-winner Benedict Sheehan has been called “a choral composer to watch in the 21st century.” His version of “A Christmas Carol”, an enduring tale of one miserly old man’s redemption and reawakening to life, includes a full narrative by Charles Dickens, abridged by Matthew Guard. The choir will perform a selection of several of the arrangements of traditional carols that interweave with narrative and choral underscoring for a seamless dramatic presentation.
Also on the program will be new carols by Latvian composer Erik Esenvalds and traditional music for Christmas by Bach, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Gregg Smith, and Alice Parker. There will also be an audience sing-along with your favorite carols.
The concert is on Sunday, December 3rd at 3 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church on Walker Street in Lenox. Tickets are $35, $25 for seniors, and free for students. More information can be found online.
