Like many of us who grew up in the early 1960s, my mom put me in ballet lessons when I was about 6 years old.
I wasn’t a great talent – in fact the lessons were a suggestion by my pediatrician to help my coordination, as I was an extremely clumsy child. But even if I wasn’t a natural, I still loved the lessons, and especially the pageantry of the end-of-year performances, with the sequined tutus, pink slippers, lights and fancy hair and makeup.
These lessons also gave me a bit of insight into how hard dancers work to put on performances for us, something I remember every time I hear of a ballet – or other dance company – coming to the area.
I didn’t discover theater until I reached high school. There a combination of required readings of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the chance to play bit parts in several one act plays and time spent behind-the scenes as part of a school-wide production whetted my appetite for live theater.
There’s truly nothing like the energy behind the curtain just before the first actors take the stage for the opening scene...
Both of these experiences make me appreciate the anniversaries being celebrated by two venerable arts meccas in the Berkshires all the more. To think that dancers have been performing at Jacob’s Pillow for 90 seasons is remarkable in and of itself – to understand that it was founded in the middle of the Depression, survived an economic issue in the early 1940s and recent coronavirus pandemic shutdown – makes what the Pillow does all that more remarkable. The Pillow hopes you will find your way up the mountain this summer to help them celebrate. See the feature story on pg. 10 for information on free performance tickets.
For a theatre group that specializes in producing the works of William Shakespeare for 45 seasons is another notable feat. I’ve been fortunate enough to see one of Shakespeare’s works in the Tina Packer Playhouse at Shakespeare & Company, and can say without question that the trip to Lenox is well worth the time. This is theater at its finest, whether you take in a traditional Shakespearian work or something more contemporary. I haven’t experienced an outdoor performance at Kemple Street, but with “Much Ado About Nothing” slated for the 45th anniversary season, it might be time to make the drive up Route 91 to be part of the audience. To get a glimpse of what’s on the playbill for the 45th anniversary, see page 10
Enter to win WooSox Loop Tickets*!
Prime has another chance for readers to take in a game this summer, this time with the Worcester WooSox, the Red Sox AAA affiliate! *WooSox Loop Tickets – grants access to Polar Park for WooSox game and provide the ability to circumnavigate the ballpark.For complete information on how Loop tickets work, visit https://www.milb.com/worcester/ballpark/fan-guide#w
As always, thanks for reading,
Debbie Gardner
dgardner@thereminder.com
