By Debbie Gardner
debbieg@thereminder.com
Mark G. Auerbach credits his mother, Connie Kaye, with instilling a love of the arts in him at an early age, a love that shaped a public relations and writing career including work at Wolf Trap, Houston Grand Opera, Connecticut Ballet, as well as our own StageWest and The Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
Now the ArtsBeat reporter for The Westfield News Group and ArtsBeat Radio on 89.5fm/WSKB, – as well as the owner of a successful public relations firm – Auerbach definitely has his finger on the pulse of the local arts scene. Prime tapped his insider knowledge for tips on how to make the most of what the summer has to offer in Western Mass. Here’s what he shared:
Q: Everyone knows about the big Berkshire arts venues – Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow, Barrington Stage, Berkshire Theatre Group and Shakespeare & Company. What are some of the hidden arts gems Western Mass. has to offer?
“Some amazing contemporary plays are being staged at Chester Theatre, now under the direction of Daniel Elihu Kramer. The company performs in the Chester Town Hall. Of note are productions of “Disgraced,” the Pulitzer Prize winning play by Ayad Akhtar, which runs July 5-15; and Amherst native Annie Baker’s “The Aliens,” which runs Aug. 8-19 (www.chestertheatre.org).
“The Sevenars Concerts are celebrating their 50th anniversary in Worthington, with a summer series of Sunday afternoon chamber music concerts. I’m looking forward to pianist Rorianne Schrade’s recital on Aug. 19, and a classics and jazz performance by Jerry Noble on Aug. 12.
“Historic North Hall in Huntington also has an eclectic line-up of classical music, jazz, and theatre this summer (www.northhallhuntington.org).”
Q: Summer is a great time to introduce young people to the arts. Can you suggest some local starting points for parents and grandparents?
“Berkshire Theatre Group’s community production of the Broadway musical “Tarzan, “ with its score by Phil Collins, ought to please young audiences and their older friends. It plays the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, July 26-Aug. 16 (www.berkshiretheatregroup.org).
“Barrington Stage’s Youth Theatre performs Roald Dahl’s “James and The Giant Peach” at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield July 25-Aug. 12. Barrington Stage is also presenting, as part of the centennials of Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins, “West Side Story” Aug. 3-Sept. 1. Robert LaFosse choreographs the production (www.barringtonstageco.org).
“Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival offers free dance performances by its students every Wednesday through Saturday on its Inside/Out series, weather permitting. (www.jacobspillow.org.)”
Q: If you could plan the perfect Western Mass. arts weekend, what would it look like?
“I’d definitely want to catch a performance of music by Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood, since their entire season celebrates his Centennial. I’d want shed tickets for the staged performances of his operas and musicals. I’d go with lawn seats, with a picnic from Guido’s Market in Pittsfield or Great Barrington for other performances (https://www.bso.org). Then I’d include a performance at Berkshire Theatre Group, which celebrates its 90th season, Barrington Stage or Chester Theatre for a premiere. For a dose of laughs, I’d catch The Capitol Steps during their summer residency at Cranwell in Lenox (www.cranwell.com).
“When it came time to get tickets, I know there’s a great half price ticket program, 1/2 TIX, for same day purchases for Barrington Stage Company, Berkshire Theatre Group, Capitol Steps at Cranwell Resort, Chester Theatre Company, Mac-Haydn Theatre, Shakespeare & Company, Tanglewood, and The Theater Barn (http://berkshires.org).
“For caffeine to keep the energy going, you’d find me at No. 6 Depot in West Stockbridge or Starving Artists Cafe in Lee. And, my restaurant wish-list includes: Alpamayo for Peruvian food in Lee; The Dream Away Lodge in Becket; and the Courtyard at The Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge.”
