Summer Season Tickets
Young plants are poking through the cold earth, harbingers of a season of rebirth. And with spring comes blossoming of the rich cultural landscape that has made the Tristate region such an attraction for visitors since the first decades of the last century.
So rich and so established is this cultural heritage that in 2017 the National Center for Arts Research listed Pittsfield MA and Berkshire County at the top of the roster for medium-sized metropolitan areas for arts and culture.
Covid put an unaccustomed crimp on this vibrant corner of the world for two years but this spring, like the spring flowers in the front yard, the cultural scene is ready to bloom. Institutions throughout the region are announcing seasons and opening ticket sales.
Here is a smattering of what is in store for this summer season:
Perhaps nothing says summer in the Berkshires mores than Tanglewood (297 West Street, Lenox; 413-637-1600), the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Regarded as one of the world's greatest summer music festivals and presenting a wide variety of artists and concerts. Tickets for the 2022 season went on sale last week through Tanglewood.org and 888-266-1200.
Highlights of the season include Pops Conductor Laureate John Williams joining the roster of conductors performing August 2nd during Tanglewood on Parade and a limited number of newly released tickets are available for the July 3rd and 4th James Taylor concerts. The Popular Artist roster includes Brandi Carlile, Ringo Starr, Bonnie Raitt, Judy Collins, Earth Wind & Fire and more.
One of the most venerable summer institutions is the Berkshire Theater Group (6 East Street, Stockbridge MA; 413-298-5536) which presents classical, contemporary and world premiere theatre.
The theatre group was formed in 2010 by the merger of two of Berkshire County’s oldest cultural organizations, the Berkshire Theatre Festival, founded in 1928, and The Colonial Theatre, built in 1903 in Pittsfield.
In announcing its upcoming season, BTG said it recognizes “our world is at a crossroads.” At the Colonial, it will present Once, winner of eight 2021 Tony Awards (July 3rd-16th) while the legendary vampire, Dracula, descends on the Colonial to close out the summer season. The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge opens its season with a world-premiere of B.R.O.K.E.N code B.I.R.D switching by Tara L. Wilson Noth (June 23rd-July 9th), followed by Songs for a New World, a series of songs composed by Tony Award-winning Jason Robert Brown (July 21st-August 20th). Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Seascape ends the season (September 29-October 23rd).
For the 2022 Season, BTG is offering a BTG Bundle that brings a discount of up to 66 percent.
For decades, the Williamstown Theatre Festival (100 Main Street, Williamstown MA; 413-458-3200) has brought America's finest theatre artists to the Berkshires, engaging a loyal audience of both residents and summer visitors. Its Main Stage bursts back to life July 13th-August 7th with songs from Frank Loesser’s The Most Happy Fella. The Nikos Stage will have Man of God from July 5th-16th, followed August 2nd-August 14th by a World Premiere WTF Commission, We are Continuous.
Advance Single Ticket Reservations will be available beginning April 18. Secure tickets by buying a season ticket bundle, which includes all three shows for $185.
Shakespeare and Company (Tina Packer Playhouse. Lenox MA; 413-637-3353), a professional theatre company that features the works of Shakespeare along with classic and contemporary plays, gets its season underway Saturday and Sunday with March Mash-Up, followed March 28th with an evening of comedy featuring Kevin Bartini & Friends. A busy summer season that stretches through October 30th, features such gems as the Bard’s Much Ado About Nothing and Measure for Measure as well as The Iliad, a 45th year gala and more. Tickets are on sale and may be procured by going to www.shakespeare.org.
Speaking of great writers, Edith Wharton’s home, The Mount (2 Plunket Street, Lenox MA; 413-551-5111) is preparing for its busy summer season. The property opens for house tours May 15th but The Mount is already warming up with two online and a live program in April and May. Library Conversations will consider The Natural World online April 7th in a program led by The Mount’s Director of Interpretation Anne Schuyler, and Librarian Nynke Dorhout. They will survey works in Wharton’s library devoted to the natural world. April 12th, also virtually, Arda Collins and Darrel Alejandro Holnes meet with Courtney Maum for Beyond the Writing of Fiction Series.
May 15th, the programs go live with Why Design Matters with Debbie Millman and Roxane Gay in Conversation. Cosponsored by The Mount and The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, the program will be held at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington MA, and tickets may be reserved at its box office.
Three decades ago Close Encounters with Music (800-843-0778) artistic director and cellist Yehuda Hanani began presenting thematic concerts of chamber music with commentary. The tried-and-true formula resumes May 29th when CEWM begins its 2022 season with Liang Wang, first oboist of the New York Philharmonic, leading a program including Mozart’s Oboe Quartet, Cimarosa’s Oboe Concerto and Britten’s Metamorphosis.
Those subscribing for the full season can save 30 percent.
The Aston Magna Festival (888-492-1283) features musical gems from the Baroque, performed at various venues by gifted artists on period instruments. Its season, June 23-July 23, includes The Devil’s in the Tales, June 23rd, 24th and 25th; Chamber Music of Robert and Clara Schumann, June 30, July 1st and 2nd; Chamber Music by J. S. Bach, July 7th, 8th and 9th; All Handel, July 14, 15, 16; and Double Apotheosis: Music of François Couperin, Arcangelo Corelli and J. F. Rebel, July 21st, 22nd and 23rd. Tickets will be on sale soon.
What would summer in the Berkshires be without a visit to Jacob’s Pillow (358 George Carter Road, Becket, MA; 413-243-0745) This year’s 90th Anniversary Season runs from June 22nd through August 28th, and features 10 weeks of dance performances in the newly-renovated Ted Shawn Theatre, four week-long performances, as well as 20 one-night-only events on the outdoor Henry J. Leir Stage.
Pre-sale tickets for Jacob’s Pillow Members has begun and tickets go on sale to the general public April 6th.
For residents of Northwest Connecticut, a staple of the summer season is the Sharon Playhouse (49 Amenia Road, Sharon CT; 860-364-7469). A professional and teaching theatre, the Playhouse has been through many iterations since it was formed in the late 1920s as a play-reading group.
This year Justin Boccitto joins as the staff as interim artistic director with a season that includes a one-night performance July 2nd of Fabulous Fanny, The Songs & Stories of Fanny Brice; Guys and Dolls, July 29th-August 14th; Shear Madness, August 27th-September 11th; and A Raisin in the Sun, October 7th-16th.
Tickets go on sale April 1.
Another venerable institution is Music Mountain (Route 63. Falls Village CT; 860-364-2080). Music Mountain has presented masterpieces of chamber music since 1930. After 90 years, audiences continue to praise the exceptional acoustics of air-conditioned Gordon Hall, and the beauty and peaceful serenity of Music Mountain’s mountaintop grounds.
Chamber Music Concerts run for 16 consecutive Sundays, June 5th through Labor Day Weekend. Twilight Jazz & More Concerts are offered on 10 consecutive Saturdays starting June 25th, and on June 18th there is a Free Cookout and Concert to Celebrate First Responders. This year all seats in Gordon Hall are reserved, and front seats sell at a premium. Lawn Tickets are general admission. Tickets can be purchased at 860-824-7126 (leave a message) or by emailing info@musicmountain.org.
Over in Washington the Litchfield Jazz Festival (22 Kirby Road, Washington CT; 860-361-6285) continues to thrive after a quarter of a century of innovation. This year’s festival is slated for July 29th-31st and features artists such as Samara Joy, Anton Kot and the Litchfield Jazz Camp Faculty Quartet, the Gregoire Maret Trio, and Ken Peplowski, Houston Person, Ehud Asherie and much more.
