BASIC Berkshires

Plays In Process: Free and Equal
2025-08-27 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA, 01240
Experience a play in its early stages when possibilities are endless! Returning for its fourth year, Plays in Process offers a glimpse into the inner workings of play creation as new works are readied for the stage. Many Plays in Process titles have gone on to become fully realized productions; this season, The Victim by Lawrence Goodman – presented as a reading last year – makes its World Premiere.
Free and Equal by Kaia Calhoun, directed by Kaia Calhoun and Tina Packer.

Plays In Process: Adults at Play
2025-08-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA, 01240
Experience a play in its early stages when possibilities are endless! Returning for its fourth year, Plays in Process offers a glimpse into the inner workings of play creation as new works are readied for the stage. Many Plays in Process titles have gone on to become fully realized productions; this season, The Victim by Lawrence Goodman – presented as a reading last year – makes its World Premiere.
Adults at Play by Ken Ludwig, whose play Dear Jack, Dear Louise also earned accolades when presented at Shakespeare & Company in 2023. Directed by Ken Ludwig.

MOTHER PLAY: a play in five evictions
2025-08-29 19:00 - 2025-10-05 21:00 | Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA, 01240
With a martini in one hand and biting commentary in the other, matriarch Phyllis – headstrong, but resourceful – runs her household with a mix of tough love and theatrical flair, determined to prepare her kids Carl and Martha for the harsh realities of the world whether they like it or not.
As Carl and Martha navigate their own paths, Phyllis remains an ever-present force, doling out brutal honesty, unsolicited wisdom, and the occasional guilt trip with impeccable timing.
Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, Mother Play is a sharp-witted, darkly comedic exploration of family, identity, and survival spanning four decades, five apartments, and many hardships from cockroach infestations to painful conflicts. It premiered on Broadway just last year, earning four Tony nominations, two Drama Desk Awards, and an Outer Critics Circle Award.

Immigration Updates with BIC
2025-09-03 11:00 - 12:00 | MA
Join a Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC) caseworker to learn about the latest immigration policy changes, legal updates, and government announcements. Whether you’re a community member, service provider, or an immigrant, these sessions are a chance to stay informed and ask questions. These online presentations are offered the first Wednesday of each month at 11am.

100 Years of Movies: “The Big Lebowski”
2025-09-11 19:00 - 21:30 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Cult classic comedy The Big Lebowski is the story of two men with the same name from opposite ends of cultural and financial spectrums caught in the middle of a high stakes mystery. From filmmaking brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, the movie stars a range of talent including Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, John Turturro, Philip Seymour Hoffmann, Tara Reid, Sam Elliott, and more. (Rated R, 1h 57min.)
Following last year’s success, the Mahaiwe will continue its “100 Years of Movies” series with film director and educator Deborah Reinisch. Reinisch will introduce each film with a brief lecture at the top of the screening.

On-farm Botanical Inks Workshop
2025-09-20 10:00 - 16:00 | MA
Spend the day foraging seasonal botanicals and learning how to transform them into artist-quality natural inks. The workshop includes a guided farm walk, harvesting from the dye garden, and hands-on ink-making in the barn studio. No prior experience required—perfect for artists, nature lovers, and anyone curious about plant-based color.
Full details and registration: www.farmandfieldny.com/workshops
Where: Farm & Field, a 200-acre farm in Chatham, NY
Contact: jill@farmandfieldny.com
Phone: 973.879.6252

Berkshire Opera Festival 10th Anniversary Concert Rebroadcast Event
2025-09-21 14:00 - 16:00 | K111 Theater, Koussevitzky Center, Berkshire Community College, 1350 West Street, Pittsfield, 01201
Join us for a FREE community event!
Back by popular demand! Join BOF for a free screening of our 10th Anniversary Concert! This spectacular concert features world-class artists from previous and upcoming seasons, joined by the BOF Orchestra and Chorus.
For more Information, contact Sarah Prouty, Community Engagement Officer at sprouty@berkshireoperafestival.org.
Berkshire Opera Festival’s 10th Anniversary Concert is made possible in part by the generous support of Brad Clark, Kenneth & Susan Kramer, Onyx Speciality Papers, and Donald Usher.
The BOF 10th Anniversary Concert rebroadcast event is funded in part by a grant from the Pittsfield Cultural Council; a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

London’s National Theatre in HD: “Inter Alia”
2025-09-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike (‘Gone Girl,’ ‘Saltburn’) is Jessica in the much-anticipated next play from the team behind ‘Prima Facie.’
Jessica Parks is a smart Crown Court Judge at the top of her career. Behind the robe, she is a karaoke fiend, a loving wife and a supportive parent. When an event threatens to throw her life completely off balance, can she hold her family upright?
Writer Suzie Miller and director Justin Martin reunite following their global phenomenon ‘Prima Facie,’ with this searing examination of modern motherhood and masculinity. (Rated R, 2hrs.)

Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater: “Nuttin but a Word”
2025-10-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Celebrated choreographer Rennie Harris returns to Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center to lay down his three laws of hip-hop—individuality, creativity, innovation. Here to expose the essence of their art form with unmatched subtlety and surprise, the indefatigably disciplined dancers of Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater command the stage with a mixtape of moves from b-boying to Campbell locking to house. Every step tells a story in sync with the rhythm, honoring hip-hop’s roots while raising the bar to new heights. You can try to shout ’em down, but you ain’t said ‘Nuttin’ but a Word.’

Dan Tyminski Band
2025-11-15 20:00 - 22:00 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Throughout his 30+ year career, bluegrass artist Dan Tyminski has left his mark in every corner of modern music. His voice famously accompanies George Clooney’s performance of the Stanley Brothers’ classic song, “I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow,” in the film, ‘Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?’ and his vocal collaboration with Swedish DJ Avicii on the song “Hey Brother” was a global smash, having been streamed more than a billion times to date. His diverse solo projects and years of work with Alison Krauss and Union Station have yielded troves of award-winning music.
Dan has been honored with 14 Grammy Awards and is a four-time Male Vocalist of the Year honoree by the International Bluegrass Music Association. He has also recorded instrumental or vocal harmony contributions for projects by Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Joan Osborne, Charlie Daniels, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, Rob Thomas, and Charlie Haden, to name a few.

Shire Stories with Sheela Clary: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
2025-11-23 16:00 - 17:30 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
In honor of Thanksgiving, Shire Stories presents an evening of local storytellers sharing their light-hearted but conflict-ridden stories under the theme of Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Sheela Clary, storytelling teacher, workshops stories with storytellers ahead of time and emcees the event.

“The Wizard of Oz” (1939)
2025-11-29 16:00 - 18:00 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Dorothy and friends traverse the Yellow Brick Road through the land of Oz in this timeless family classic from 1939. The Mahaiwe screens “The Wizard of Oz” every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. (Rated G, 1h 42min.)

ARKAI
2025-12-06 20:00 - 22:00 | Indigo Room, 20 Castle Street, Great Barrington, 01230
ARKAI is an award-winning electro-acoustic duo that has captivated audiences around the world with their creative imagination and cutting-edge string music. Transforming the beautiful tones of the violin and cello into epic soundscapes that resemble a rock band backed by a cinematic orchestra, ARKAI’s signature sound has led them to hundreds of performances around the world including Grammys On The Hill and Carnegie Hall, opening for Grammy- and Oscar-winning musician Jon Batiste, and NBA playoff shows for the LA Lakers. They’ve also collaborated with celebrity photographer David LaChapelle for Milan Design Week, toured with superstar violinist Lindsey Stirling, and released viral hits with piano sensation Tony Ann.

Indigo Comedy Night with Ariel Elias
2025-12-12 20:00 - 21:30 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
With host Thomas Attila Lewis and featured support from Hoodo Hersi.
Ariel Elias is a comedian living in New York City. Growing up, this Kentucky Jew made everyone laugh at her bat mitzvah, and the rest is history. Today, her comedy is a fun mesh of unique, personal stories mixed with witty and wry observations.
Described as “a sly young comic from Kentucky” by ‘The New York Times,’ Ariel has also been featured in ‘Rolling Stone,’ ‘The Washington Post,’’ and on Good Morning America.’ She was named as ‘Paste Magazine’s’ Best Comedians of 2022.
After catching Jimmy Kimmel’s attention with a viral stand-up clip that displayed her cool, calm, and hilarious composure, he invited Ariel to make her late night television debut on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ In 2024, she followed it up with an appearance on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.’

Met Opera Live in HD: Giordano’s “Andrea Chénier”
2025-12-13 13:00 - 16:00 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Giordano’s passionate tragedy stars tenor Piotr Beczała as the virtuous poet who falls victim to the intrigue and violence of the French Revolution. Following their celebrated recent partnership in Giordano’s Fedora in the 2022–23 Live in HD season, Beczała reunites with soprano Sonya Yoncheva as Chénier’s aristocratic lover, Maddalena di Coigny, with baritone Igor Golovatenko as Carlo Gérard, the agent of the Reign of Terror who seals their fates. Met Principal Guest Conductor Daniele Rustioni takes the podium to lead Nicolas Joël’s gripping staging, which will be transmitted live from the Met stage to cinemas on December 13. This live cinema transmission is part of the Met’s award-winning Live in HD series, bringing opera to movie theaters across the globe.

“Mickey’s Christmas Carol” (1983)
2025-12-13 13:00 - 16:00 | Indigo Room, 20 Castle Street, Great Barrington, 01230
Animated family favorite “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” will play on loop for free at the Mahaiwe’s new Indigo Room during Great Barrington’s Holiday Shop, Sip, and Stroll. Familiar Disney characters retell Charles Dickens’ timeless story of holiday spirit. (Rated G, 26min.)

Free screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)
2025-12-19 19:00 - 21:30 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
The Mahaiwe presents a free screening of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ per annual tradition. Frank Capra directs James Stewart and Donna Reed in this classic holiday favorite about community, love, and hope. (Rated PG, 2h 10min.)

Berkshire Opera Festival's Community Sing-Along
2026-01-10 14:00 - 16:00 | St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 67 East Street, Pittsfield, 01201
Berkshire Opera Festival is excited to invite you to our third annual Community Sing-Along!
​This free, fun-filled event brings everyone together to sing beloved opera choruses by composers like Mozart, Verdi, and Wagner—alongside BOF choristers and members of our wider Berkshire singing community.
​Singers of all experience levels are encouraged to join in. Whether you’re a seasoned vocalist or just love to sing for fun, you’ll fit right in. For ages 13+.
The event is free, but registration is required. We’ll send you the music and helpful details ahead of time—no preparation needed, just come ready to sing and enjoy a joyful afternoon of music-making.

Met Opera Live in HD: Bellini’s “I Puritani”
2026-01-11 13:00 - 16:00 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
For gorgeous melody, spellbinding coloratura, and virtuoso vocal fireworks, ‘I Puritani’ has few equals. The first new Met production of Bellini’s final masterpiece in nearly 50 years is a striking staging by Charles Edwards, who makes his company directorial debut after many successes as a set designer. The Met has assembled a world-beating quartet of stars, conducted by Marco Armiliato, for the demanding principal roles. Soprano Lisette Oropesa and tenor Lawrence Brownlee are Elvira and Arturo, brought together by love and torn apart by the political rifts of the English Civil War, with baritone Artur Ruciński as Riccardo, betrothed to Elvira against her will, and bass-baritone Christian Van Horn as Elvira’s sympathetic uncle, Giorgio.

Indigo Comedy Night with David Drake
2026-01-17 20:00 - 21:30 | Indigo Room, 20 Castle Street, Great Barrington, 01230
With host Thomas Attila Lewis and featured support
David Drake is a comedian. He is a very funny comedian. He has been featured on Comedy Central, HBO, Sirius XM, Cracked, Don’t Tell, and Fox. He was named one of Complex Magazine’s ‘Comics to Watch Under 30,’ although is now 38, and one of New York Comedy Festival’s ‘Comics to Watch,’ but they did not specify any age boundaries. He is a producer of the long-standing New York showcase Comedians You Should Know NYC and a regular at the world-famous Comedy Cellar. With six stand-up albums and three specials under his belt, including the critically acclaimed Big Break, David delivers comedy that’s “smart and engaging” (‘The New York Times’) and “endlessly watchable” (‘Humorism’). In addition to stand-up, he is a five-time reoccurring guest on the popular storytelling podcast ‘Risk!’ and a producer of the traveling outdoor storytelling series ‘Campfire.’ David currently performs nationwide while working out a niche in New York’s legendary comedy scene and sometimes he’ll eat fries off your plate. He feels bad about that. He’s sorry… I’m sorry. I’m David Drake. This was me the whole time.

Chrissi Poland – Forever Muscle Shoals
2026-02-21 20:00 - 22:00 | Indigo Room, 20 Castle Street, Great Barrington, 01230
With special guest Matt Cusson
Acclaimed vocalist and songwriter Chrissi Poland brings Forever Muscle Shoals to the Indigo Room! Forever Muscle Shoals celebrates the songs and sounds recorded in Muscle Shoals, AL, in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, where soul, blues, rock and country converged to create some of the most important recordings in American music. Deeply inspired by sharing the stage with Muscle Shoals icons like Mavis Staples, Ronnie Wood and more, Chrissi Poland is bringing her vocal power, interpretation and stories to songs from Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Wilson Pickett, Cher, Bob Dylan, and beyond. With the album due out in March 2026, don’t miss the chance to witness Chrissi Poland and this soul-stirring catalogue of music.

Black Violin
2026-02-27 20:00 - 22:00 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Step into Black Violin’s Full Circle Tour, where Grammy-nominated duo Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus redefine the possibilities of music by merging classical depth with hip-hop’s pulse. This tour captures the essence of returning to where it all began—transformed and reimagined. Each powerful performance invites audiences to reflect on their own journeys, discovering that even as we evolve, we’re often drawn back to our roots with renewed purpose.

Berkshire Opera Festival's Winterreise
2026-03-07 20:00 | Studio E, Linde Center for Music and Learning, Tanglewood, 3 West Hawthorne Road, Lenox, MA, 01240
A rejected lover. A frozen landscape. A profound loneliness. Hailed as the greatest song cycle ever written, Schubert’s Winterreise follows a wandering protagonist on his quest for comfort on a winter’s night. But this is not merely a trek through snow and ice—it is an intimate odyssey into the depths of the soul. Join internationally acclaimed baritone Jarrett Porter and Artistic Director Brian Garman as they take you on this deeply moving and cathartic journey.
For information on discounted tickets, contact Sarah Prouty at sprouty@berkshireoperafestival.org.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Lenox Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Discounted tickets to BOF’s production of Winterreise are generously sponsored by Adrian & Christine Slywotzky.

Better Than Ezra
2026-03-27 19:30 - 21:00 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Songs, albums, live performances — some are simply timeless. From their early roots, circa 1988, playing house parties at Louisiana State University, Better Than Ezra have made their mark on the music world in a major way. Yes, the New Orleans quartet, founded by Kevin Griffin (lead vocals, guitar, piano) and Tom Drummond (bass, backing vocals), who unleash hummable melodies, unshakable guitar riffs, and confessional lyrics, have stood the test of time — from 1995’s number one hit “Good” all the way to Taylor Swift’s famous 2010 cover of the Better Than Ezra classic “Breathless.” And they’re still going strong: in May 2024, the band released their long-anticipated tenth studio album “Super Magick” via Round Hill Records. Named one of the “100 Greatest Alternative Artists of All Time” by “Billboard,” with a legacy that includes inspiring a classic “Saturday Night Live” skit, Better Than Ezra spent 2024 on the road touring their headline “Live a Little Tour” in the spring and continuing through the year, recently wrapping their “Legends of the Fall: Tokyo Drift Tour.”

“Adam Gopnik’s New York”
2026-04-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Adam Gopnik, noted “New Yorker” writer and best-selling author, brings his new one-man show, “Adam Gopnik’s New York,” to the Mahaiwe’s mainstage. Produced by Steve Martin and James L Nederlander, “Adam Gopnik’s New York” delivers mischief, meanings, and tales that shimmer with insight and charm, in an intimate and luxurious evening of entertainment.
“The show includes everything from the making of Central Park, which is a microcosm of everything we love about New York City, to the story of my own psychoanalysis, the most unsuccessful in the history of therapy,” says Gopnik.
Critic Robert Siegel shared praise in “The New York Times:” “[Adam Gopnik] gave a performance of his one man show about life in New York with great emphasis on his misadventures in psychoanalysis, which was both hilarious and very wise.”
A staff writer at “The New Yorker,” Gopnik has been contributing to magazine since 1986. During his tenure, he has written fiction, humor, criticism, book reviews, personal essays, Profiles, and reported pieces from abroad. He was the magazine’s art critic from 1987 to 1995 and the Paris correspondent from 1995 to 2000. From 2000 to 2005, he wrote a journal about New York life.

Indigo Comedy Night with Jim Tews
2026-04-10 20:00 - 21:30 | Indigo Room, 20 Castle Street, Great Barrington, 01230
With host Thomas Attila Lewis and featured support
Jim Tews has performed all over the U.S. and internationally. He’s been a part of several notable comedy festivals including San Francisco Sketchfest and Just For Laughs Montreal. His two live albums debuted in the top three comedy titles on the iTunes charts, and both receive regular play on satellite radio. He’s appeared on NBC, FX, and more. He continues to perform mostly in New York but is willing to travel to whatever other cities, states, or countries will have him.

Juanito Pascual Trio
2026-04-11 20:00 - 21:30 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Juanito Pascual has been called “one of the hottest flamenco guitarists in recent years,” (NPR) and is best known for his creative and masterful blending of flamenco with jazz, rock, and world influences. He has performed on five continents and collaborated with Grammy-winning artists including Jorge Pardo (Paco de Lucia Sextet, Chick Corea), flamenco maestro Antonio Rey, and jazz great John Patitucci, among many others. His trio features virtuoso bassist Brad Barrett and the multitalented maestro Jose Moreno on percussion and vocals. Be prepared for a night of soulful melodies, hypnotic rhythms and the fire, elegance and virtuosity of these three acclaimed artists.

Berkshire Opera Festival's Free Family Concert: Once Upon an Opera
2026-04-12 14:00 - 15:00 | Indigo Room, 20 Castle Street, Great Barrington, 01230
Back by popular demand! Berkshire Opera Festival’s Free Family Concert returns with a lively mix of opera favorites and instantly recognizable melodies. This fun, one-hour interactive performance invites kids and adults to experience live opera up close—perfect for a memorable family outing. This unforgettable afternoon of music is free and open to all ages, but you’ll want to reserve your seats today as seating is limited. Once Upon an Opera is recommended for children of all ages with accompanying caregivers.
Event Details:
Sunday, April 12 at 2:00 PM
Indigo Room, Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
20 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA
Duration: 1 hour (no intermission)
Free (reservations encouraged)
Register here:
https://www.berkshireoperafestival.org/onceuponanopera

London’s National Theatre in HD: “All My Sons”
2026-04-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Bryan Cranston (‘Breaking Bad’) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (‘Hard Truths’) feature in a five-star, triumphantly acclaimed new production of Arthur Miller’s classic play, from visionary director Ivo Van Hove (‘A View from the Bridge’).
One family, the heart of the American dream. When wartime delivers profits for Joe, it comes at a price when his partner is charged with criminal manufacturing deals, and his eldest son goes missing in action. Will peacetime bring peace of mind, or will he be confronted by the consequence of his actions?
Filmed live from the West End, Paapa Essiedu (‘I May Destroy You’), Tom Glynn-Carney (‘House of the Dragon’), and Hayley Squires (‘I, Daniel Blake’) also feature in this disturbingly prescient play.

Michael Feinstein – Big Band Broadway with the Carnegie Hall Ensemble
2026-05-01 20:00 - 22:00 | Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
Broadway never sounds better than when it swings. With the greatest contemporary jazz musicians, Michael Feinstein swings the songbook into the 21st Century.
Featuring music from quintessential shows such as ‘Cabaret,’ ‘Hello Dolly,’ and ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ to ‘Into the Woods,’ and ‘Chicago,’ Big Band Broadway delivers modern and classic showtunes with the timeless tradition of Carnegie Hall in a way that only Michael Feinstein can do.
