Pioneer Valley Theatre News July 2, 2015

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser July 2 – July 22, 2015 Ever since 1989, Hampshire Shakespeare Company has been producing Shakespeare's catalog, outside at the Massachusetts Center for Renaissance Studies in Amherst. The second show of their 2015 summer is THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, opening July 8th! Looking for something indoors to do to celebrate the fourth of July? Why not see a show! THE LITTLE FOXES performs at 8:00 PM on July 4 in the air-conditioned Mendenhall Center at Smith College. Tickets for July 4 only are $15 (half price!) with code JULY4 online or by phone. It's the perfect way to cool down after a day of barbecuing.  If there is something missing from this newsletter, submit it! The next issue will include events through July 29. Help me help you spread the word about all the wonderful theatrical events in the Pioneer Valley. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com Submit Your Theatre Event See more information about THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR below or visit the website. PERFORMANCES Silverthorne Theatre Company presents THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH directed by Toby Bercovici July 2, 3, 4, 5 Thursdays at 7:30, Friday & Saturday at 8:00, Sunday at 2:00  Sloan Theater at Greenfield Community College Thornton Wilder’s 1940s classic (and still relevant) comedy! A not-so-average New Jersey family survives humanity’s greatest disasters from the Ice Age to contemporary conflicts “by the skin of their teeth!” The winner of the 1943 Pulitzer Prize, and a huge hit, the Herald Tribune called the show “A tremendously exciting and profound stage fable.” Time magazine said it was “A sort of Hellzapoppin’ with brains.” Our Brechtian take on this perennial favorite is sure to involve you – literally!     This program is supported in part by grants from the Bernardston and Northfield Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.   Tickets and more information available online. New Century Theatre presents THE LITTLE FOXES by Lillian Hellman Directed by Ed Golden July 2-11 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 2:00 and 7:30 PM Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Northampton, MA The work of one of America’s finest and most provocative dramatists spanned thirty years. Lillian Hellman’s life was filled with sex and scandal.  She lived her life on her own terms – apologetic to no one. THE LITTLE FOXES, perhaps her most produced work, is also steeped in sex and scandal. Set in the deep south at the dawn of the 20th century, the ruthless, moneyed Hubbard family live by the “all is fair in love and war” credo. Penned in 1939, the events in Hellman’s work unfold with the stark inevitability of a Greek tragedy. Tickets are now available online or by calling 413-585-3220. Get $15 tickets for Saturday, July 4th with code JULY4. New Century Theatre presents JUNIE B. JONES, THE MUSICAL Book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler, Music by Zina Goldrich, Adapted by Barbara Park from the Junie B. Jones Series of Books Directed by Cate Damon with Musical Direction by Mitch Chakour July 8-11 and 22-25 at 10:30 AM Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts Northampton, MA Hooray! Hooray! NCTKids is bringing everybody's favorite first grader to the stage in this lively musical adaptation of Barbara Park's beloved Junie B. Jones book series. Junie B. (the B. stands for Beatrice only she does not like Beatrice, just B.) sings and dances her way through First Grade with the help of her teacher Mr. Scary, the Cafeteria Lady and friends like Sheldon and Herb and even that tattle- tale, May. Grab your top-secret personal beeswax journal and join us for all the fun of JUNIE B. JONES: THE MUSICAL. Tickets available online or by calling 413-585-3220.   Hampshire Shakespeare Company presents THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR July 8-12, July 15-19 at 7:30 PM directed by Josh Platt Massachusetts Center for Renaissance Studies, 650 East Pleasant St., Amherst MA 01002 Come join us for Shakespeare Under the Stars. We encourage everyone to bring a picnic and enjoy the outdoors! Calendar available online. Visit Hampshire Shakespeare online at:  hampshireshakespeare.com facebook.com/hampshireshakespearecompany or send an email!  Ko Festival of Performance presents CROSSING THE BLVD July 10 and 11 at 8:00 PM, July 12 at 4:00 PM Holden Theater, Amherst College Judith Sloan/EarSay's multimedia vision of the future based on 3 years of oral histories with immigrants in Queens, NY. A celebration of resilient people – in search of home.  Part of Ko Festival of Performance 24th summer season theme: NEW|HOME|LAND: Strangers, Newcomers and Neighbors in a New America. Tickets available online. KoFest is Western Massachusetts' popular summer experience: 5 weekends of theatrical performances, 2 one-night events, and 3 6-day intensive theater workshops.  On the Amherst College campus. New Century Theatre presents LUNA GALE by Rebecca Gilman Directed by Gina Kaufmann July 16-25 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 2:00 and 7:30 PM Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Northampton, MA Rebecca Gilman is one of the most sought after playwrights writing today. She creates engaging and timely stories, captivating audiences and taking them to new and unexpected places. The author of the acclaimed drama SPINNING INTO BUTTER, Ms. Gilman’s newest play concerns Caroline, an overworked social worker who thinks she has a typical case on her hands when assigned two teenaged drug addict parents accused of neglecting their baby. LUNA GALE is powerful story of faith and forgiveness that is called “Smart and absorbing,” by the New York Times. Tickets are now available online or by calling 413-585-3220.   Ko Festival of Performance presents BURQ OFF! July 17 and 18 at 8:00 PM, July 19 at 4:00 PM Holden Theater, Amherst College A show about growing up in London in a conservative Pakistani Muslim home — 21 characters punctuated by fierce Bollywood dance moves and a choice between a burqa and a bikini. Part of Ko Festival of Performance 24th summer season theme: NEW|HOME|LAND: Strangers, Newcomers and Neighbors in a New America. Tickets available online. KoFest is Western Massachusetts' popular summer experience: 5 weekends of theatrical performances, 2 one-night events, and 3 6-day intensive theater workshops.  On the Amherst College campus. Ko Festival of Performance presents METTAWEE RIVER THEATRE CO. July 19 at 8:00 PM Holden Theater, Amherst College OUT OF THE PAST: Celebrating 40 Years of the Mettawee Journey with Mettawee River Theatre Company​.  KoFest annual favorites in their last year of touring. Live music, masks & exquisite puppets - outside under the stars. $9 adults / $7 children under 12. Tickets available online. KoFest is Western Massachusetts' popular summer experience: 5 weekends of theatrical performances, 2 one-night events, and 3 6-day intensive theater workshops.  On the Amherst College campus. AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Summer Apprenticeships at New Century Theatre The apprenticeship program at New Century Theatre is a part-time summer program for local high school students. High school students will have the opportunity to learn all about backstage work, from lighting and set painting, to props and costume building, running a show backstage and working front of house.  More information can be found on the NCT website or by emailing info@newcenturytheatre.org TheatreTruck hosts a  Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Community Meet and Greet! Tuesday, July 7 at 7:00 PM High Horse, 24 N Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01002 TheatreTruck hosts a Meet-and-Greet for The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Community! We're new on the scene and would love to get together for a casual night out of chatting and networking. So come grab a drink and say hello. We hope to see you there! More information online. WORKSHOPS & LECTURES Happier Valley Comedy presents The Zen of Improv Comedy 1 Six Thursdays, 7-9pm July 9 - Aug. 13th Sunderland, MA SUMMER SPECIAL $83 (One free class!) Would you like to play and laugh for two hours every week? Do you want to get better at thinking on your feet? Could you use some practice in mindfulness and staying in the moment? Would you like to become more confident speaking in public? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, “The Zen of Improv Comedy” would be an ever so lovely way to spend a couple hours every week. Pam Victor, founding member of The Ha-Ha’s, offers this series of classes for adults who want to try something fun, rewarding, and, quite possibly, mind-expanding. You’ll learn a very gentle, very easy approach to improv comedy in an incredibly positive and accepting atmosphere that will get you up on your feet and out of your head. Through exercises, improv games, and scene work, you’ll practice the vital improvisation skills of paying attention acutely, accepting other people’s ideas, redefining and disempowering failure, staying in the moment, reacting honestly to the reality of the here and now, and much more. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. Being funny is not required! Want to stretch your wings for a couple hours every week and laugh yourself silly in in the process? Now is your chance. To register, email pamelaCvictor@yahoo.com About your teacher: Pam Victor is the founding member of The Ha-Ha’s, and she produces The Happier Valley Comedy Show. Pam regularly performs in Massachusetts at The Happier Valley Comedy Show (Arts Block Cafe/Greenfield), ImprovBoston (Cambridge), and with the Majesters (Majestic Theatre/W. Springfield). Pam has received training from iO Theater (Chicago), Annoyance Theatre (Chicago), ImprovBoston, and from Second City teachers. Pam also writes a lot about improvisation. She writes the “Zen of Improv” series, a sassy (and sometimes naughty) look at the alignment of improvisation and Zen thinking. Along with TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi, Pam is the co-author of "Improvisation at the Speed of Life: The TJ & Dave Book." These three summer KoFest workshops are filling up fast - register in advance if you're planning to sign up! KoFest Workshop:  July 20-25  FIRST PERSON: Crafting Your Story for Performance with Gerard Stropnicky Story can be employed to bring laughter, or tears, or understanding, or lasting social change. Come with a story. Leave with a performance.  6-day KoFest workshop intensives for performers, writers, storytellers, directors, educators, and all those wanting to kickstart their creativity. Past participants have ranged in age from 18 to 80. On the campus of Amherst College​ in Amherst, Massachusetts​. More information available online. KoFest Workshop:  July 27-August 1  ZEN & THE ART OF PERFORMANCE  with Jubilith Moore Zen is the way to a goal, not the goal itself.  The same can be said for performance. For the inter-culturally curious . . . 6-day KoFest workshop intensives for performers, writers, storytellers, directors, educators, and all those wanting to kickstart their creativity. Past participants have ranged in age from 18 to 80. On the campus of Amherst College​ in Amherst, Massachusetts​. More information available online. KoFest Workshop:  August 3-8 IMAGE–OBJECT–PUPPET: Creating a Poetic Theatre with John Farrell Use objects. learn principals of puppet animation, and create bunraku style puppets and an original, poetic, devised work. 6-day KoFest workshop intensives for performers, writers, storytellers, directors, educators, and all those wanting to kickstart their creativity. Past participants have ranged in age from 18 to 80. On the campus of Amherst College​ in Amherst, Massachusetts​. More information available online. Copyright *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences  *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*