Colonial Theatre Updates
Performances Added to 2011 Season
By: Colonial - Mar 10, 2011
Colonial Theatre Artistic Director/CEO Kate Maguire announces six new artists joining the previously relreased lineup of events. These artists represent some of the best in live music and family programming and are part of the ever expanding lineup of shows and attractions staged by the combined partnership of the Colonial and Berkshire Theatre Festival.
The live music additions include the underground hip-hop icon Talib Kweli on July 22, Jersey Shore rock legends Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes on August 25, the unique Celtic sounds of the Tartan Terrors on October 21 and the return of the popular community production Romance, Soul & Rock N’ Roll on October 28 and 29. The family programming will begin with the Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats on June 11 and The Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical on December 4.
According to Kate, this is the kind of thing we should expect over the coming months. “(Programmer) Simon Shaw and I are excited to keep rolling out new and varied programming throughout the year. We remain committed to only bringing the Berkshires the highest quality artists at reasonable prices. These performances will appeal to people throughout the region and in some cases are opening us up to audiences that may never have joined us before.”
BTF and The Colonial Theatre are two of the oldest cultural institutions in Berkshire County. The Colonial, founded in 1903, is a gilded age treasure of a theatre, once the home of some of the leading actors, speakers and musicians in the country. Recently restored to its full glory, it is now Pittsfield’s community theatre, once again presenting the finest live arts in Berkshire County. BTF, founded in 1928, was one of the first regional theatres in the country and has produced theatre that matters for 82 years in Stockbridge, MA. In 2010, BTF and the Colonial agreed to an ongoing partnership, creating a unique organization that both produces and presents world-class performers on their three stages.
Recently Added
At the Colonial Theatre (111 South St, Pittsfield)
The Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats
Saturday, June 11 2pm & 7pm
Tickets: $25 Adults • $15 for ages 16 and under
The Golden Dragon Acrobats have become the world’s leading Chinese acrobatic troupe, performing more than any other company. World-renowned impresario Danny Chang and choreographer Angela Chang combine award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music and theatrical techniques to present a show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty.
Talib Kweli
Friday, July 22 8pm
A: $55 • B: $35 • C: $20
Talib Kweli is an icon of the New York underground hip-hop scene. His collaborations have resulted in album after album of tracks that wow critics and audiences while pushing hip-hop to new heights. Kweli’s early work with Mos Def on Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star still stands as one of hip-hop’s premiere expressions of truth. His newest solo release, Gutter Rainbows, takes a trip back to childhood while marking the newest stage in his long and dynamic career. Renowned for his fresh lyrics, unique style and unequaled dedication to his music, Kweli has worked with artists as diverse as Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, MF Doom, Hi Tek, Madlib, Mary J. Blige, Fabolous, Common, Nelly, The Roots, Gucci Mane, Norah Jones, KRS-One and many more. With a career filled with success and innovation, it comes as no surprise that Jay-Z and 50 Cent both count Kweli among their favorite rappers.
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
Thursday, August 25 7:30pm
VIP: $60 • A: $55 • B: $35 • C: $15
"I've always wanted to be a Juke... and I still do." –Jon Bon Jovi
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes are legends in the rock ‘n’ roll scene. For over thirty years they have been delighting audiences and recording music in their hard-driving style. They have turned out more than thirty albums, thousands of live performances around the globe and produced a legion of dedicated and enthusiastic fans. These musical giants of the Jersey Shore influenced musicians from Bruce Springsteen to Bon Jovi and are still going strong today.
The Tartan Terrors
Friday, October 21 8pm
A: $35 • B: $25 • C: $15
Taking the Celtic scene by storm, the Tartan Terrors feature the best in music, comedy and dance. Their sound is bolstered by the blistering piping of a two-time World Champion Bagpiper, the driving tones of drums from around the world and a guitar played unlike any ever heard. Combine this musical prowess with championship caliber Highland Dancers and internationally recognized comedic performers and this Celtic group goes beyond the ordinary. Members of the Tartan Terrors have performed on four different continents; in some of the most prestigious Festivals, Highland Games and Theatres of North America; for President Clinton; Queen Elizabeth II; and on Good Morning America.
Romance, Soul & Rock N’ Roll Presents: THIS is Broadway!
The Community Supports the Colonial!
Friday & Saturday, October 28-29 7:30pm
A: $20 B: $15
Romance, Soul & Rock N’ Roll is back for another exciting musical revue on behalf of The Colonial Theatre. This year’s show features an array of popular Broadway songs, ranging from heart wrenching ballads to rousing rock ‘n’ roll numbers.
The Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical
Sunday, December 4 2pm
All Tickets: $15
Script and Lyrics by Mo Willems
Based on his book Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale
Music by Michael Silversher
Directed by Rosemary Newcott
It sounds so simple, just a quick trip to the Laundromat with Daddy, Trixie and her beloved Knuffle Bunny. But, before you know it things go horribly, hilariously wrong. Chock full of adventure, song and gigantic dancing laundry, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical tells a tale of firsts: a stuffed animal’s first trip in the laundry, a little girl’s first words and a Daddy’s first time dealing with his child going “boneless.” Based on his beloved Caldecott Honor-winning picture book, six-time Emmy Award winner Mo Willems joins Grammy Award winning composer Michael Silversher to lovingly celebrate the heart and heartache that comes from a family’s visit to their local Laundromat. We mentioned the giant dancing laundry, right?
Recommended for ages four and up
Tickets
Season passes to the full slate of BTF plays as well as to the Colonial are still available. Contact the BTF Box Office at (413) 298-5576 or visit www.berkshiretheatre.org
for more information on a BTF Season Pass. Contact the Colonial Box Office at (413) 997-4444 or visit www.thecolonialtheatre.org for more information on a Colonial Season Pass
Single tickets for all events go on sale March 14 to the general public. For BTF productions (including Tommy) contact the BTF Box Office at (413) 298-5576 or visit www.berkshiretheatre.org
to purchase. For Colonial events contact the Colonial Box Office at (413) 997-4444 or visit www.thecolonialtheatre.org for more information
.
All plays, schedules, casting, events and prices are subject to change.
Season at a Glance (Stage in parenthesis)
May
1 – Tanglewood Music Center Fellows Concert (Colonial) (addition to 2010-2011 season)
June
2 – Sherri Buxton and Friends: Songs from the Great American Songbook with Special Guest Matt Cusson 7pm (Colonial)
11 – The Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats (Colonial)
18 – Bobby Sweet (Colonial)
19 – God’s Trombone’s part of Lift Ev’ry Voice TBD (Colonial)
28-30 – Moonchildren (Unicorn)
July
1-16 – Moonchildren continues (Unicorn)
6-16 – Hansel and Gretel’s Grimm Tale (Berkshire Museum)
7-16 – The Who’s Tommy (Colonial)
12-30 – Sylvia (Fitzpatrick Main Stage)
19-30 – Dutch Masters (Unicorn)
22 – Talib Kweli (Colonial)
August
1-6 – Dutch Masters continues (Unicorn)
2-13 – In The Mood (Fitzpatrick Main Stage)
9-27 – Finian’s Rainbow (Unicorn)
11 – Tommy Tune in Steps in Time: A Broadway Biography. . . (Colonial)
13 – Bakin’ with the Boss Tour starring Buddy Valastro: The Cake Boss (Colonial)
16-31 – Period of Adjustment (Fitzpatrick Main Stage)
20 – Word x Word Festival (Colonial)
25 – Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (Colonial)
30-31 – Birthday Boy (Unicorn)
September
1-3 - Period of Adjustment continues (Fitzpatrick Main Stage)
1-3 – Birthday Boy continues (Unicorn)
9-11 – The Wizard of Oz (Colonial)
24 – Berkshire Comedy Spotlight II (Colonial)
29-30 – Birthday Boy re-opens (Unicorn)
October
1-16 – Birthday Boy continues (Unicorn)
8-10; 15-17 – Made in the Berkshires New Works Festival (Unicorn & Colonial)
9 – Frank Rich (Colonial)
15 – The Grace Kelly Quartet with special guest Phil Woods in association with the Pittsfield CityJazz Festival (Colonial)
19 – David Sedaris (Colonial)
21 – The Tartan Terrors (Colonial)
November
12 – Christopher O’Riley (Colonial)
19 – Arlo Guthrie (Colonial)
30 – Natalie MacMaster (Colonial)
December
4 – The Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical
17-30 – A Christmas Carol (Colonial)