I've been sitting in tech all weekend, and I'm definitely going to recommend that everyone go see THE WOLVES at Smith College - it opens tomorrow and also performs February 24, March 1, 2, and 3. Go check it out!
The next issue will include events through March 21. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before Tuesday at midnight. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com
Can a Japanese family be Mexican? That question was at the heart of an email exchange with a theatre doing one of my plays. It wasn’t really a debate; the roles had already been cast. But the director wasn’t trying to pull a fast one—in writing my play’s character notes, I had sent mixed messages about what I valued and expected. And I know I’m not alone in still learning how to navigate this terrain.
Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com
PERFORMANCES
Majestic Theater presents Outside Mullingar West Springfield
February 22 through March 31.
The play was written by John Patrick Shanley, author of Doubt and Moonstruck, and follows the story of Anthony and Rosemary, two neighboring farmers who are clueless when it comes to love. Anthony's father and Rosemary's mother are rivals, locked in a bitter land feud, which challenges Rosemary's lifelong interest in Anthony, who seems either shy or unaware of her feelings. The pair must persevere to overcome the land feud, the family rivalry and their own romantic fears. Outside Mullingar is filled with dark humor and poetic prose as it conveys the message that it's never too late to take a chance on love.
Cast members include Jay Sefton (Antony Reilly), Margaret Reilly Streeter (Rosemary Muldoon), Ron Komora (Tony Reilly) and Sara Whitcomb (Aoife Muldoon). Danny Eaton, producing director at the Majestic, will direct the play. Set design is by Greg Trochlil and Dan Rist is the lighting designer. Costume design is by Dawn McKay, Laura Kathryn Gomez is stage manager and Stephen Petit is production manager.
Ticket for the play range from $23-$30 and are now available by calling or visiting the box office during its hours of operation, which are Monday through Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm.
Smith College Department of Theatre presents THE WOLVES by Sarah DeLappe
directed by Daniel Elihu Kramer
February 23, 24, March 1, 2, 3 at 7:30 PM in Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre
Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Smith College
122 Green Street, Northampton, MA
Left quad. Right quad. Lunge. A girls indoor soccer team warms up. From the safety of their suburban stretch circle, the team navigates big questions and wages tiny battles with all the vim and vigor of a pack of adolescent warriors. A portrait of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for nine American girls who just want to score some goals.
Tickets $10 General, $5 Students/Seniors, FREE for Smith students.
Purchase tickets online or by calling 413-585-3220.
Each February for the past 26 years the Valley’s best local talent have gathered together at our communities’ most beloved theater for their favorite variety showcase- The Really Big Show. Over the course of its lifetime, the Really Big Show has taken on the form of famous night-time TV programs such as the Ed Sullivan Show and the Gong Show. This year it’s time to switch things up again and the Northampton Arts Council is pleased to say “Live from Northampton, it’s Sunday Afternoon!”
Academy Youth Productions presents ANNIE, Jr. Thursday, March 8 @ 6:30PM
Friday, March 9 @ 6:30PM
Academy of Music Theatre
Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, Annie Jr. features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure.
Amherst Regional High School presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee March 8, 9, 10 at 7:30; kid-friendly matinee on March 10 at 2:00.
Amherst Regional High School
Amherst Regional High School presents this 2005 Tony and Drama Desk Award-Winning musical comedy in an innovative staging. Upon your arrival, you be welcomed into the lobby and auditorium (and other locations, if you're keen...) of Putnam County Middle School as fellow community members attending this special anniversary edition of their beloved Spelling Bee.
Continuing our tradition of investing deeply in student leadership at all levels of the show, Spelling Bee is performed, designed, played and produced by over 130 ARHS students. A warm, silly and immersive production, you'll find all that you'd hope for from a winsome Broadway musical, along with spaces to explore and in-character performances before curtain and during intermission. And - each night - a new contingent of volunteer audience spellers invited to join us as on-stage competitors in the Bee!
CitySpace Inc. seeks a driven and proactive Capital Campaign Consultant responsible for a fundraising effort to reconstruct and renovate the 2nd floor of the historic Old Town Hall. Renovations will include making the 2nd floor accessible to the public and developing a public gathering and performance space. The Capital Campaign Consultant will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the CitySpace capital campaign. The consultant will work in partnership with the CitySpace Board of Directors and a Capital Campaign Committee to carry out a fundraising plan targeting individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies to support this initiative. The Capital Campaign Consultant will coordinate a $2.5 million fundraising effort as part of anticipated $5 million campaign.
Hampshire Shakespeare Company 650 E Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01002
HSC Hiring 2 Stage Managers & a Technical Director
Hampshire Shakespeare is seeking two Stage Managers and a Technical Director for our summer season of Othello and Twelfth Night. Please view all staffing opportunities at https://hampshireshakespeare.com/get-involved/hiring/
Please send all inquiries to hampshire.shakespeare.company@gmail.com
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Happier Valley Comedy presents Be Inspired! Workshop for Beginning/Intermediate Improvisers with Elyse Schuerman March 10 at 11:30 AM
104 Russell St., Hadley, MA
Whether you are new to improv or a long-time veteran, the start of a scene can feel challenging. This is very normal considering the wide canvas you are working with. What you choose at the top affects the rest of the scene. Newer improvisers are often overwhelmed with choices and options and have concerns about making the right choices. Veteran improvisers often fall back on the same tools over and over and find their choices getting predictable. In this 2-hour workshop we will address the many options and tools we can choose from and how we can ground ourselves to complete a scene with those choices.
Prerequisite: Completion of Zen of Improv 2 or the level two equivalent from another comedy school. $30 Fee.
Happier Valley Comedy presents Sound Your Barbaric YUP! Workshop for Intermediate/Advanced Improvisers with Kristina Smarz March 10 at 2:30 PM
104 Russell St., Hadley, MA (downstairs)
Do you find yourself struggling to get inspiration for scenes? Are you spending more time trying to be original than you are connecting with your scene partners? Are you finding you play from conflict, frustration, or sometimes just find yourself not having fun?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, this workshop is for you! (If you answered no to all of the above, you should probably also take this workshop.) Come discover the joy of saying YES with full commitment and excitement. In this workshop, well explore what saying yes really means, how we can say it more fully, and how we can say it through both words and actions.
Well explore concepts such as extreme agreement, commitment, inspiration, mirrored-play and work to find the strongest connections possible. Participants will leave with a handful of new tools that can be used in almost any circumstance to give them a new sense of grounding, play and confidence.
Prerequisite: Completion of Zen of Improv 4 or the level 4 equivalent from another comedy school. $40 Fee.
Happier Valley Comedy presents "Creating a Crackerjack Team THROUGH LAUGHTER" Information Session March 16 at 3:30 PM
Northampton Center for the Arts Downstairs Studio 33 Hawley Street, Northampton
Creating a Crackerjack Team THROUGH LAUGHTER, showcases a new professional development workshop that strengthens and deepens your teams communication and collaborative skills using the tools of improv and experiential training. You'll win two prizes the excitement of participating in a hands-on, fun, and creative learning experience, and the prize at the bottom of a Crackerjacks box!
NOW MUSIC AND THEATER Summer Programs for Children at beautiful Eaglebrook School
Eggtooth Productions offers TWO different two week sessions of summer theater or music for children ages 8-13.
July 30 - August 10, 2018
MUSIC with Jo Sallins
This program allows children to have their hands on their very own instrument and become part of an ensemble. Participants are taken on a journey from percussion basics into complex sound techniques for a truly magnificent music appreciation experience.
or
THEATER with Bill Stewart
Learn about stage play and combat, comic bits, delightful language and the joy that play can bring all while relishing the language of the Bard. Children create their own devised production that will be presented at the end of the session!
Registration Form
The cost is $590 with a limit of 15 children in each section. A check may be made to: Eggtooth Productions 102 Highland Ave., Greenfield, MA 01301. Founded in 1922, Eaglebrook School is located on 750 acres on the Pocumtuck Ridge in Deerfield, MA just off Routes 5 & 10. To learn more about Eaglebrook School or for directions visit: eaglebrook.org Camp runs 9 AM to 3 PM with mornings devoted to creation and rehearsal. Lunch will be provided in the beautiful Gibbs Dining Hall. Activities including swimming in the Schwab Pool, playing on the fields, and more.
