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July 7-27, 2016
Do yourself a favor and go see a show this weekend!
I will be out of the country next Thursday - there will still be a newsletter, but the deadline to submit is this Saturday night.
The next issue will include events through August 3. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before Saturday at midnight. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com
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THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS:
from Howlround
Classic Engagement: What Theatres Can Learn from a Missouri Music Store
by Lauren Smith
From the article:
On Saturday mornings for several decades, people have entered Westgate Music in Sullivan, Missouri (population 7,000) for a “jam session.” The store is a hub for country music and community gathering in the northern Ozarks. I grew up in Sullivan, but rarely went to Westgate until my father, a self-proclaimed non-musician 50-something, started taking guitar lessons. He began visiting Westgate weekly, and I, home between freelance stage management contracts, went with him. I quickly became fascinated with the music (what former owner Jerry Thurmond calls “Southern Country Gospel”) and the group of people who gathered to drink coffee, talk about the status of hay/corn/cattle/the election, while playing and listening to music together. I was surprised by the sense of community within the store’s walls, a togetherness that I couldn’t remember experiencing anywhere in Sullivan during my childhood. Westgate’s jam sessions provide opportunities for connection among local artists and citizens in a number of ways. From their example, I have pulled three principles that theatres, particularly those that produce classic works, might emulate to provide such a gathering space for their communities.
Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com
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New Century Theatre presents BAKERSFIELD MIST
by Stephen Sachs
Directed by Sam Rush
July 7-9
Theatre 14,
Mendenhall Center for the
Performing Arts, Smith College, Northampton
Unemployed Maude Gutman, living in a trailer and knocked about by life, buys a $3 painting at a tag sale as a joke and discovers it just might be a Jackson Pollock original, worth millions. She invites cultured art expert, Lionel Percy, to her California home to authenticate the work. When he hesitates to acknowledge the painting as authentic, the sparks fly between the pair as the debate rages through the night. A funny, moving play that explores questions of art, self-worth, class and the nature of criticism, BAKERSFIELD MIST is a play that will have you laughing while you cry.
Tickets available online or by calling 413-383-3220. Facebook event here.
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Hampshire Shakespeare Company Presents
A Midsummer Night's Dream
By William Shakespeare
July 7-10
Performances start at 7:30pm and are outdoor. Please come early. Feel free to bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful space before the show begins.
Directed by: Ingrid Oslund
This production will transform the natural environment of our outdoor theater into an urban wonderland through gesture, dance and music. The audience will be guided on a tour from the Gated Community of Athens, where the rich, privileged lovers lead their sheltered lives, all the way to Forest, a broken down city with a punk rock energy and leather-clad fairies. The repression of the rich will be overthrown, the fairies will fight relentlessly for anarchy, and the touring performance artist collective The Mechanicals will dazzle with their conceptual, experimental production of "Pyramus and Thisbe". Come and be a part of this unique journey that the audience won't soon forget!
Tickets online. Facebook.
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Chester Theatre Company presents The World Premiere of "My Jane"
by Daniel Elihu Kramer
July 7-10, with performances Thursday, and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Thursday, Friday, and Sunday at 2 p.m.
15 Middlefield Road,
Chester, MA 01011
A struggle to survive. A romance with dark secrets. Two love affairs—Jane and Rochester, and Jane and her readers. The sweeping drama of Charlotte Brontë’s beloved novel Jane Eyre is given a contemporary twist as the story of Jane’s journey from Victorian hardship to independence and happiness works its magic on people today. A moving look at how deeply a book can affect readers nearly two centuries later.
CTC offers a full schedule of post-show audience engagement events, including Talkbacks after Thursday matinees and Saturday night performances; Cast Conversations following Friday matinees; and a Panel Discussion following the Sunday, July 3, matinee.
More information online.
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PaintBox Theatre presents RAGGEDY ANN
July 8 at 7:00 PM, July 9 and 10 at 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM
Williston Theatre, 18 Payson Avenue, Easthampton
Tickets here.
July 15 at 7:00 PM, July 16 at 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM
The Shea Theater, 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls
Tickets here.
PaintBox Theatre's season opens with Linda Tardif as a living doll. Eight stories folded into one big production? Why not? But if Linda is Raggedy Ann, who will play the dozens of additional characters? No problem: Myka Plunkett and Connor Paradis can do it all! With costume changes galore, we are certainly in for a wild time. They may even draft members of the audience to help.
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Ko Festival of Performance presents KO KABARET.
Fri., July 8 and Sat., July 9 at 8:00 pm; Sun., July 10 at 4:00 pm.
Holden Theater, Amherst College, Amherst, MA
Different lineup each night. Celebrating 25 years, KoFest brings favorite artists back from as far away as New Orleans and as close as Amherst for a 3-day VARIETY SHOW / GALA.
Tickets $25 for 25 years. $21 Student & SR. $5 off you see more than one. To order before July 4, call 413-427-6147 or online anytime. After July 4, Box Office line: 413-542-3750.
Part of Ko Festival of Performance, celebrating its 25th season, a perennially popular summer theater experience in Western Massachusetts. July 4-August 7, 2016 on the beautiful campus of Amherst College. KoFest presents five weekend-long theatrical performances, two special single events, and three 6-day intensive theater workshops.
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Happier Valley Comedy presents SCRIPTED/UNSCRIPTED
Saturday, July 9 at 8:00 PM
Arts Block, Greenfield
July 9 brings us our most popular show SCRIPTED/UNSCRIPTED!
SCRIPTED/UNSCRIPTED features a cavalcade of talented improvisers and stage actors from the Pioneer Valley in a half-scripted, half-improvised, totally unique and fun show! SCRIPTED/UNSCRIPTED combines one actor performing from a script with one improviser making it all up on the spot to mix up a wild and wooly show unlike anything thing you've seen before. This show usually plays to a sold-out crowd, so you'll definitely want to get your tickets in advance to guarantee your seat.
**This show often fills up fast, so we suggest arriving by 7:30 to stake out the best seat! **
Audiences can look forward to a full evening of comic entertainment rated PG-13 in this handicapped-accessible space. For more information about The Happier Valley Comedy Show, visit the show website.
All-new shows every month!
The Happier Valley Comedy Show are
on the SECOND SATURDAY of every month 8:00 - 10:00pm
at the beautiful, first floor Arts Block
To reserve a ticket click here.
Facebook event here.
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Happier Valley Comedy presents
MORE IMPROV,
MORE BETTER
THE AFTER-SHOW
SHOW & JAM
Saturday, July 9th directly after the Happier Valley Comedy Show
The Arts Block, 289 Main Street, Greenfield MA 01301
Admission is free. One drink minimum required.
The "More Improv, More Better" After-Show is an open improv jam and showcase that runs from 10-11pm on the second Saturday of each month, directly following the Happier Valley Comedy Show. Play improv games lead by a Happier Valley Comedy School Jam Leader and watch a short improvised set featuring select Advanced Improv student teams.
Open to one and all! (Yes, even you!) Come watch. Come play. Come laugh. Come drink. Come waplaughink*!
The showcase performance will feature an enthusiastic group of Advanced Zen of Improv students, banded together out of mutual curiosity, love and interest in The Harold and other long forms of improv.
For more info, see www.happiervalley.com or email info@happiervalley.com.
*"waplaughink" is a combination of watch, play, laugh, and drink...a rare and wonderful simultaneous event of joy and mirth.
Facebook event here.
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Ko Festival of Performance presents THE LITTLE FARM SHOW | NACLTheatre
Sunday, July 10 at 4:00 pm
On the Amherst College Observatory Lawn off Snell St. in Amherst, MA
An all-ages musical extravaganza about farming, food and taking care of the earth. “The greatest show on dirt” (NY Times). Tickets $9 Adults / $7 Children under 12.
To order before July 4, call 413-427-6147 or online anytime. After July 4, Box Office line: 413-542-3750.
Part of Ko Festival of Performance, celebrating its 25th season, a perennially popular summer theater experience in Western Massachusetts. July 4-August 7, 2016 on the beautiful campus of Amherst College. KoFest presents five weekend-long theatrical performances, two special single events, and three 6-day intensive theater workshops.
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MAJESTIC THEATER SUMMER CHILDREN’S THEATER presents THE FROG PRINCE: A Musical
Monday, July 11 - 10am, 1pm & 6:30pm
Tuesday, July 12 - 10am, 1pm
Wednesday, July 13 - 10am, 1pm
Sunday July 31 - 2pm & 6:30pm
Monday, August 1 - 10am, 1pm & 6:30pm
Tuesday, August 2 - 10am, 1pm
Wednesday, August 3 - 10am, 1pm
The Majestic will also present children’s theater this summer. “The Frog Prince: A Musical," "A Little Princess" and "Treasure Island" will be presented in July and August. Admission is $9 per person. Those who purchase tickets to all three plays at the same time join "The Snack Club," which entitles them to get free snack at each play.
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Majestic Theater presents Nicki's Night at Open Mic
July 12 at 7:00 PM
Majestic Theater, West Springfield
Nicki Meldonian has been part of the Majestic family since she was 8 years old. She has been part of the Majestic Children's Theater cast & crew for the past 7 years, was Myrtle Mae in "Harvey," has worked on numerous productions crews, stage managed, and has worked in the box office.
On Tuesday, July 12, the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA is throwing a fundraiser to help Nicki raise money for college. She is transferring from Holyoke Community College to Anna Maria College where she will study music therapy in an aim to help those with mental and physical challenegs through the gift of music. All proceeds from Nicki's Night will go towards her college tuition.
Nicki's night will run like a traditional Majestic Open Mic night and will kick off the Open Mic summer series! Hosted by Floyd Patterson, each performer will have 10 minutes to entertain, and the audience will vote to determine the top 3!
Nicki will sing, and she has invited others to perform inclosing: Luis Manzi, Mike King, Meghan Lynn Allen, Jordan Reed, Freddie Marion, the Majestics Band, Giuseppe Santaniello, Emery Henderson, Chris Eriquezzo, and more!
If you're unable to come and would still like to donate, this is the link to Nicki's GoFundMe page. Nicki's page also gives more information about her plans for college.Any amount donated is much appreciated!
Majestic Cafe opens at 6PM. Open Mic begins at 7PM. General Admission and Ballot is $5. Two great raffles with fabulous prizes! More info online.
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The Majestic Theater presents Improvisational Comedy with The Majesters
Featuring a troupe of the best improv comics from across the Pioneer Valley and beyond for an evening of unscripted comic mayhem. The program begins with improv scenes similar to "Whose Line is it Anyway," and is followed by a storyline that's developed with help from the audience. Improvisational Comedy with The Majesters takes place Wednesday nights at 7pm July 6-August 24. Tickets are $7.
IMPROVISATIONAL COMEDY WITH THE MAJESTERS SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, July 13 - 7pm - $7
Wednesday, July 20 - 7pm - $7
Wednesday, July 27 - 7pm - $7
Wednesday, August 3 - 7pm - $7
Wednesday, August 10 - 7pm - $7
Wednesday, August 17 - 7pm - $7
Wednesday, August 24 - 7pm - $7
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