Pioneer Valley Theatre News March 9, 2023

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser March 9 - 29, 2023 March is a super busy month for shows! There's a new play reading at Smith tonight, Amherst High presents Amelie the Musical, The Glass Menagerie continues at the Majestic, Intimate Apparel opens at Silverthorne, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at JaDuke, and the Drama Studio presents Reunion (After the End of the World). Go see a show this weekend! The next issue will include events from March 16 - April 5. 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 Submit Your Theatre Event Turners Falls High School presents Hairspray: The Musical March 31 at 7pm, April 1 at 2pm and 7pm, April 2 at 2pm Turners Falls High School / Tickets at the Door YOUR EVENT HERE $5 per week for your poster and ticket link in top billing! Email me to reserve your dates. Click to Access: Pioneer Valley Theatre Google Calendar Click to Access: Pioneer Valley Theatre Personnel Spreadsheet THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from Howlround Elder Dramaturgy by Carlyle Brown From the article:  The journey of the play We Take Care Of Our Own by Zainabu Jallo began in the Summer of 2018 when I convened four African and four African American playwrights for a monthlong residency of the experimental Cultural Diaspora Project at the Camargo Foundation in the town of Cassis in the south of France to explore their craft, their voices, and their African-ness in a beautiful Mediterranean environment without the white, Western gaze. The project supports established and mid-career playwrights from the African Diaspora for whom their Afro-Atlantic identity is an influence and a factor in their craft, the content they create, their thinking, and their world view. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES Smith College Department of Theatre New Play Reading Series  This Is Not Real written by James Tanner Echols MFA '24 Thursday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. Acting Studio 1 This short work explores how the masks you wear define who you are.   Free and open to the public. Masks welcome. Amherst Regional High School Amélie: The Musical - High School Edition March 9-11, 7:30pm; March 11, 2:00 pm ARHS Auditorium, Amherst The ARHS Theater Company presents Amélie: the  musical!  Featuring well over 100 students as performers, designers, pit and crew on this buoyant show, we look forward to sharing this delightful stage version of the beloved 2001 film of the same name.   In an idealized version of Paris in 1997, Amélie Poulin is stuck working at a cafe with little but her overactive imagination going for her.  Then, one day, she finds a hidden treasure in her apartment that changes the course of her life.   Rated PG-13 (content advisory: suicide reference in early scenes of the play), this idealistic show takes particular interest in the quirks of our inner lives and the invisible lines that connect us to one another. bit.ly/arhsamelietix THE GLASS MENAGERIE NEXT UP AT MAJESTIC THEATER MARCH 9 THROUGH APRIL 2   A classic American drama takes center stage at the Majestic Theater when The Glass Menagerie is presented February 23 through April 2.  Tennessee Williams’ play about family and the fragility of memory is part of the Majestic’s 25th Anniversary Season of theater and live performances at the West Springfield venue.   The Glass Menagerie tells the tale of Amanda Wingfield, the faded Southern Belle, who is desperate to marry off ailing daughter Laura, and worries about wayward son Tom.  Saddled with the obligations left to him by his absent father, Tom, who also acts as the play’s narrator, arranges for an acquaintance, a gentleman caller, to pay a visit to Laura and sets off not only her own, but her mother’s hopes for a romantic future.  This memorable play is set in St. Louis during the Great Depression and is widely considered to be one of the most significant plays of the 20th century.   Danny Eaton is producing director, while Rand Foerster is directing the play.  Associate Producing Director/Stage Manager is Sue Dziura, and Stephen Petit is production manager.  Aurora Ferraro is associate production manager, and Josiah Durham is technical director/set designer.  Dawn McKay is costume designer, and Daniel Rist is lighting designer.  Scenic Artist is Bev Stevens Browne.   Cast members include Robbie Simpson (Tom), Cate Damon (Amanda), Abigail Milnor-Sweetser (Laura), Tosh Foerster (Jim) and Ann-Marie Messbauer (Musician).  Understudies include Chris Rojas (Tom/Jim), Myka Plunkett (Amanda) and Caelie Scott Flanagan (Laura).   Ticket prices range from $29 - $35 and can be obtained by visiting or calling the box office at (413) 747-7797 during hours of operation (Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)   Audience members are required to wear a mask while in the building unless actively eating or drinking in the café.  Doors to the theater will open one hour before the start of a show, which is also when the café opens.  For more information, visit www.majestictheater.com This joyful drama about Esther, a Black seamstress whose patrons range from wealthy white women to prostitutes, is set in New York in 1905. While receiving beautiful letters from a handsome Caribbean man named George, Esther’s heart is drawn to the Hasidic shopkeeper from whom she buys cloth—and from there, Esther's stable life begins to unravel. Directed by Boston-based guest artist Jasmine Brooks.  Featuring Tahmie Der as Esther, the cast is rounded out by seasoned Valley actors Kyle Boatwright, Colby Chandler, Alika Hope*, Gabriel Levey, and Linda Tardif. March 10 – 18, 2023 Evening shows 7:30 pm Matinees 3:00 pm at Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center 289 Main Street, Greenfield, MA Tickets on sale JaDuke Theater 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee 3/10/23 at 7:00pm, 3/11/23 @ 7pm; 3/12/23 @ 2pm JaDuke Theater, 110 Industrial Boulevard, Turners Falls, MA 01376 An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves a champion! At least the losers get a juice box. Tickets and more information.  The Drama Studio Reunion (After the End of the World) by Will Quam Friday, March 10 at 7:30pm, Saturday, March 11th at 4:30pm Sunday, March 12th at 6:30pm Friday, March 17th at 7:30pm  Saturday, March 18th at 7:30pm Sunday, March 19th at 3:00pm The Drama Studio, 41 Oakland St, Springfield MA. After The Event that wiped out civilization as we know it, a group of students walled themselves in their former school to build a new society, free from the past. But when a group of outside kids comes looking for something buried in the school, the past and present reunite in a play about memory, loss, and what it means to be a kid in extraordinary circumstances. Tickets are on sale February 24th! Northampton High School Rock of Ages 3/16 at 8pm, 3/17 at 8pm, 3/18 at 8pm, 3/19 at 2pm Northampton High School Main Auditorium In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA’s most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80s!  An arena-rock love story told through the hits of Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. Don’t miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on! www.nhsmusical.com Hampshire Regional High School The Drowsy Chaperone 3/17/2023 at 7:00 PM, 3/18/2023 at 7:00 PM and 3/19/2023 at 2:00 PM Hampshire Regional High School, 19 Stage Rd., Westhampton, MA 01027 Hampshire Regional High School’s Musical Theatre program is thrilled to present the lavish, flapper-era musical within a comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone, complete with tap dancing, glamorous costumes, and music that will lift your spirits. The Drowsy Chaperone was written by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, with music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison. Myka Plunkett returns to direct her 7th production with HRHS with Lauren Bell returning for her second production as music director. This year they are joined by Loryn Engelbrecht as choreographer. Performances are March 17 & 18 at 7 p.m. and March 19 at 2 p.m. All performances will take place at the Hampshire Regional High School auditorium in Westhampton. The talented cast of middle and high school students will be accompanied by our pit band of skilled local musicians. Ticket prices are $15 for adults/general admission, $10 for Seniors and children under 18, and $5 for HRHS students and staff. Tickets are available by calling (413) 437-5587, emailing hrhstickets@gmail.com, at the door, or through this GoFan link: https://gofan.co/app/school/MA23946 HRHS Students and staff can get $5 tickets through the code available at HRHS, or by visiting the main office. There is a service fee for all tickets purchased online. Our musical program is grateful for the support of local businesses and organizations, with special thanks to Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Cultural Councils of Chesterfield, Goshen, Southampton, Westhampton, Williamsburg and Worthington for their financial support. The Drowsy Chaperone is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com https://gofan.co/app/school/MA23946 Please join us for the Scarlet Sock Foundation’s Fifth Annual Gala! When: Saturday, March 25, 2023; 6:30-8:30 PM ET Where: The Blue Room at CitySpace, Easthampton RSVP:  Complete THIS FORM by March 11th Not surprisingly, 2022 was our busiest year yet!  As performances returned to the stage, and schools reopened in earnest, the need for arts funding exploded. The Scarlet Sock Foundation wants to share with you all the transformative work your support made possible.  Thanks to you, we were able to continue to support organizations that rely on the easily accessible grants that we provide in order to survive. Your commitment to the Scarlet Sock Foundation ensured that our growing family of grant recipients continued to give voice to historically silenced communities across Western Massachusetts. Join us in person at the Blue Room at CitySpace in Easthampton or virtually to celebrate our Scarlet Sock Foundation 2022 grant recipients: The Drama Studio, Play Incubation Collective, The Performance Project, Pittsfield Public Schools and WAM Theatre. Whether you attend live or via Zoom, you’ll be treated to an inspiring evening showcasing the work these innovative organizations created and learn why investing in their work changes communities for the better.  Scarlet Sock Foundation was founded in memory of Laura DiPillo, who lived her life by her deeply held belief that all people deserve to be included and heard; in short, she believed everyone is deserving of love. That is why we support social justice theater, which aims to raise awareness and create community through the performing arts.  During the program, which is free to attend, you’ll be invited to make a donation to the Scarlet Sock Foundation. Drinks and appetizers will be served by Blue Door Gatherings.   Visit our website and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to learn more! Can't join us but still want to help? Donate here. RSVP by filling out THIS FORM by March 11th to receive the Zoom link or reserve your seat at the Blue Room/CitySpace in Easthampton!  Space is limited; so, please reply soon.  We ask that those who join us at the Blue Room at CitySpace be vaccinated against Covid.  Play Incubation Collective is pleased to be working in collaboration with the Pioneer Valley Theater Community, Karuna Center for Peacebuilding, Umass, and many Volunteers to bring you A Night Out for Ukraine. The event is part of the Ukrainian Hope Initiative, a global project of play readings that have taken place around the United States and the world, sponsored by the Center for International Theatre Development in Baltimore. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 3:30-4: Doors open. Welcome music by Burikes. 4-5:15: Discussion with UMass panel of experts on Russia's War in Ukraine 5:30-6:45: Break for meal and music, provided by Crepes Tea House and Burikes 7-8:30pm: Four short play readings of new works by Ukrainian Playwrights 8:40-9:30: Talkback and community dialogue facilitated by Karuna Center for Peacebuilding Beneficiaries of all funds raised will include Ukraine TrustChain, Jewish Family Service of Western Mass Refugee Resettlement Program, and the Ukrainian Emergency Performing Arts Fund. The entirety of your $5 ticket will go towards these fundraising efforts, but we do hope that attendees will be inspired to give beyond the price of admission to support this very important cause. March 26 4:00-9:30 PM EST Edwards Church 297 Main Street, Northampton $5 minimum to attend. Dinner included.   A Live Stream Option will also be available Click here for more info and registration Department of Film Media Theater at Mount Holyoke College The Moors March 30–April 1 at 7:30 pm, and April 2 at 2pm Rooke Theater at Mount Holyoke College The Department of Film Media Theater at Mount Holyoke College is delighted to announce our final production of the season, Jen Silverman’s dark comedy, The Moors. Two sisters, Agatha and Huldey live on the bleak and savage English moors. The arrival of a governess in search of their mysteriously absent brother Mr. Branwell sets the household on a path of confusion, jealousy, betrayal, a quest for love, and a quest to be seen. “However you classify “The Moors” — comedy, drama, thriller, satire, farce all apply at various times — there’s no equivocating on its entertainment value.” - Chicago Suntimes The Moors is directed by FMT graduating senior Nicole Tripp and will run from March 30–April 2, 2023. Dates: Thursday, March 30 at 7:30 pm Friday, March 31 at 7:30 pm Saturday, April 1 at 7:30 pm Sunday, April 2 at 2:00 pm Location: Rooke Theater at Mount Holyoke College Lower Lake Road, South Hadley, MA 01075 Ticket prices:   $10 general admission, $8 students https://mhc.ludus.com/index.php Turners Falls High school Hairspray: The Musical March 31 at 7:00 PM, April 1 at 2pm and 7pm, April 2 at 2pm Turners Falls High school, 222 Turnpike Road, Turners Falls, MA Hairspray is a fun (and powerful) musical set in 1962 Baltimore. Join us as 16 year old Tracy Turnblad, her family and friends, address themes still relevant in 2023. She is a girl with big dreams and she will have you jamming as she dances and sings her way into our hearts ! Tickets sold at the door AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts Capacity Grant for Individual Artists until April 7th CALLING ARTISTS NEW TO VALLEYCREATES! Designed with the support of our ValleyCreates Community Advisors, the Capacity Grant (formerly known as the ValleyCreates Working Capital Grant) is a capacity-building and sustainability initiative for artists who currently live or have studio space in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties in Massachusetts. This program pairs a $2,000 grant with coaching, workshops, and artist community-building. The Capacity Grant program has been designed so that each artist determines what they need from a broad array of opportunities. Interested? Apply Today! Interested in performing at a Play Incubation Salon this year? We are seeking artists who are interested in sharing 10 minutes or less of a work in progress that has the potential to spark civic dialogue, and for which they desire feedback/input from an audience primarily comprised of other artists. Use this link to our salon submission form where, in addition to sharing information about what you’d like to present, you will be prompted to submit the questions they would like to pose to the audience in advance. The audience will be guided through 10 minutes of feedback where they aim to only answer and address the questions that the presenting artists has asked. There is more detailed information about this on the salon registration page. You can access a video with more details about the salon, as well as a link to the registration form for info about feedback, at www.playincubation.org/salon. If you’d like to view a sample salon, you can do so here! What can you share in 10 minutes? Here are some examples: 2-3 new songs 1-3 poems A chapter or partial chapter of a novel A monologue A 10 minute scene from a play A 10 minute scene from a video piece A dance piece or a 10 minute portion of a dance piece WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Registration opens on Monday, February 6th for PIC Kids Summer! At PIC Kids Summer, young artists (ages 7-11) will go on an adventure through the creative process as they explore theater, movement, and music. Each week follows a different theme, and all weeks will culminate in a sharing of the young artists' original work on Fridays at 2:30. We are pleased to announce that we've added an additional week!  JULY 17-21       Make 'Em Laugh JULY 24-28      Growl and Groove JULY 31-AUG 4   Soundscapes and Sorcery AUGUST 7-11     Five Day Play 9am-3pm each day  $325/week Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity, 130 Pine St, Florence​ Registration opens Monday, February 6th! Learn more. By popular demand, WAM Theatre is thrilled to announce the return of its acclaimed Elder and Teen Ensembles. This Spring,  WAM invites Berkshire-based women over 65 and teens ages 13-18 to join the company on a  journey of empowerment through creativity, teamwork, and devised theatre. WAM’s Elder Ensemble launched with a Meet & Greet in December; WAM is currently accepting applications for its 2023 Teen Ensemble now through March 10. WAM Elder Ensemble Devised Theatre and Creative Collaboration for Women over 65 years Led by WAM Teaching Artists Kaia Jackson and Co-facilitator TBC March 14 - April 25, 2023 At The WAM Theatre Creative Hub, 55 Main Street, Lenox, MA WAM Teen Ensemble  A paid theatre workshop for young people aged 13-18 Led by WAM Teaching Artists Kaia Jackson and Maizy Scarpa. April 18-21, 2023 at The WAM Theatre Hub, 55 Main Street, Lenox, MA Apply online at: https://forms.gle/CWaqrwuKMavzAwpe9.  Application deadline: March 10, 2023 Submit your workshop, class, audition, performance, or any other theatre opportunity here! Pioneer Valley Theatre Companies Academy of Music Theatre Amherst Community Theater Arena Civic Theatre A.C.T. Youth Theatre Black Cat Theater Chester Theatre Company CitySpace Cold Spring Community Theatre Completely Ridiculous Productions Drama Studio Double Edge Theatre Easthampton Theater Company Eggtooth Productions Exit 7 Players Ghost Light Theater Greenfield Community College's Theater Department Hampshire Shakespeare Company Happier Valley Comedy Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center Ja'Duke Center for the Performing Arts K and E Theater Group Ko Theater Works/Ko Festival of Performance Majestic Theater Mount Holyoke College Rooke Theatre No Theater Northampton Community Arts Trust Northampton Playwrights Lab PaintBox Theatre Panopera Pauline Productions Performance Project Phantom Sheep Players Play Incubation Collective Real Live Theatre Red Thread Theater Royal Frog Ballet Serious Play Theatre Ensemble Shakespeare Stage Shea Theater Arts Center Silverthorne Theater Smith College Department of Theatre St. Michael's Players Starlight's Youth Theatre, Inc. Strident Theatre Theater Between Addresses TheatreTruck Turbulent Times Theater UMass Department of Theater UMass Theatre Guild Unity House Players Valley Light Opera Ware Community Theatre Westfield Theatre Group Wilbraham United Players World and Eye Want to know even more about events in the Pioneer Valley and beyond, including reviews, interviews, and previews? Pioneer Valley Theatre Google Calendar In the Spotlight, Inc. Berkshire on Stage Stagestruck ArtsBeat TV/Radio and News Column Local Theater Critic Max Hartshorne 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|*