Dave Read

BSO Music Director James Levine has had to withdraw from his upcoming conducting appearances October 3, 2009 at Symphony Hall in Boston, and Thursday, October 1, 2009 at Carnegie Hall in New York, due to immediate unanticipated back surgery for a herniated disc.

Boston Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductor Shi-Yeon Sung will conduct tonight’s performance of Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms and Mozart’s Requiem with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Tanglewood Festival Chorus.

Boston Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductors Julian Kuerti and Shi-Yeon Sung will split the program on Saturday, October 3, which honors Ann Hobson Pilot’s 40-year tenure as harpist with the BSO. Mr. Kuerti will conduct the first half of the program, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4. Ms. Sung will conduct Elliott Carter’s Mosaic, for harp and chamber ensemble, Debussy’s Danses sacrée et profane for harp and orchestra, John Williams’s On Willows and Birches, for harp and orchestra, and Ravel’s La Valse, with Ann Hobson Pilot returning to the BSO principal harp chair for this special occasion.

“All of us at the BSO are disappointed that Maestro Levine will not be able to conduct the Tuesday and Saturday subscription concerts in Boston and Opening Night at Carnegie Hall,” said Mark Volpe, BSO Managing Director. “Our thoughts are with Jim and we wish him a speedy recovery so he can soon return to the BSO podium and the glorious music-making for which he is so universally known. We are fortunate at the BSO to have two very talented assistant conductors, Shi-Yeon Sung and Julian Kuerti, who are scheduled to fill in for the two programs to take place in Boston this week. Despite Jim’s absence, we remain very excited to open Carnegie Hall’s 2009-10 season.”

Daniele Gatti will lead the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the opening night concert of the 2009-10 Carnegie Hall season, Thursday, October 1, at 7 p.m. BSO Music Director James Levine had to withdraw from all his conducting appearances this week, including the Carnegie Hall opener, due to immediate unanticipated back surgery for a herniated disc.

For the first concert of the 119th Carnegie Hall season, Daniele Gatti will open the program with Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture, replacing the originally programmed Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture, and close with Debussy’s La Mer. Virtuoso pianist Evgeny Kissin will join Mr. Gatti and the BSO for Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Mr. Gatti will also lead the orchestra in the New York premiere of John Williams’s On Willows and Birches, featuring former BSO principal harpist Ann Hobson Pilot. John Williams wrote On Willows and Birches as a gift for Ms. Pilot—the first and only African-American woman to be appointed to the BSO, and who recently retired from the BSO after a legendary 40-year career with the orchestra. The new work received its world premiere at the opening of the BSO’s Symphony Hall season in Boston on Wednesday, September 23, under the direction of James Levine.

“All of us at the BSO are disappointed that James Levine is unable to conduct the Carnegie Hall opening night concert, but we are incredibly fortunate that Daniele Gatti was able to take over the program on such short notice.” said Mark Volpe, BSO Managing Director. “Our thoughts are with Jim and we wish him a speedy recovery so he can soon return to the BSO podium. His thoughts, I am sure, are with the orchestra and I know he shares our excitement to be opening Carnegie Hall’s 119th season.”

Maestro Levine also had to cancel two appearances with the BSO this week at Symphony Hall in Boston, including last night’s concert of Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms and Mozart’s Requiem, which was conducted by Boston Symphony Orchestra Assistant Conductor Shi-Yeon Sung. BSO Assistant Conductors Julian Kuerti and Shi-Yeon Sung will split the program on Saturday, October 3, which honors Ann Hobson Pilot’s 40-year tenure as harpist with the BSO. Mr. Kuerti will conduct the first half of the program, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4. Ms. Sung will conduct Elliott Carter’s Mosaic, for harp and chamber ensemble, Debussy’s Danses sacrée et profane for harp and orchestra, John Williams’s On Willows and Birches, for harp and orchestra, and Ravel’s La Valse, with Ann Hobson Pilot returning to the BSO principal harp chair for this special occasion.

Boston Symphony at Carnegie Hall 2009-10

Throughout the 2009–10 season, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and James Levine return three more times following this Opening Night appearance, including an all-Beethoven program on Monday, November 2 at 8:00 p.m. On Monday, February 1 at 8:00 p.m. pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard joins the Orchestra for Elliott Carter’s Dialogues, for Piano and Orchestra and Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, and BSO principal violist Steven Ansell is featured in Berlioz’s Harold in Italy. In the final performance, soprano Christine Brewer, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko, and bass-baritone Shenyang are featured in Mendelssohn’s Elijah on Monday, April 5 at 8:00 p.m., along with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.

There are a limited number of tickets remaining, starting at $59, available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street. Tickets may also be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or online by visiting carnegiehall.org. For information about the Boston Symphony Orchestra visit www.bso.org.

Vincent Dowling brings his production of Norman Corwin’s play about the Lincoln-Douglas debates, The Rivalry, to The Cultural Center at Eagle Hill, Hardwick MA, for performances Oct. 1-4, 2009. Dowling is a Lifetime Associate Director of the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. For tickets, information, and directions phone 413-477-6726 or go to www.thecenterateaglehill.org. Tickets are $25 (less for students).

Norman Corwin is one of the greatest living writers in the English language, and has been called America’s “poet laureate of radio.” During the 1930’s and 40’s, he wrote and produced many of the most powerful, most influential, and simply the best programs ever created for the media. When President Roosevelt wanted to celebrate the Bill of Rights, as World War II engulfed the globe, Norman Corwin got the call. When time came to celebrate and reflect on Victory in Europe — and again in the Pacific — Norman Corwin was the obvious choice. Corwin’s programs range far and wide through the genres of drama and comedy, including love stories, satire, biography, fantasy, mystery, Bible stories, travelogues, history, media analyses, philosophy — and more. All, along with his programs on current events and the stories of America, are superb examples of the art. Together, they are a master class in how to evoke the greatest possibilities of sound, and of radio. Over the years, he has worked in various media, publishing a number of books, and writing for the stage, television, and the movies. His books include “Trivializing America,” and “Holes In A Stained Glass Window,” as well as his collected correspondence, and many books of his scripts and poetry. His movie script for “Lust For Life,” a biography of Van Gogh, won him an Oscar nomination. His television credits include his 1971 series “Norman Corwin Presents.” Corwin returned triumphantly to radio in the 1990s, with a series of new programs written and directed for National Public Radio. These new productions are destined as well to be considered audio theatre classics, produced in full digital stereo with magnificent modern casts, including such luminaries as William Shatner, Jack Lemmon, Charles Kuralt, Martin Landau, Hume Cronyn, Charles Durning, Samantha Eggar, and many others.

Vincent Dowling is Lifetime Associate Director and former ArtisticDirector of the Ireland’s National Theatre- The Abbey Theatre, where he was a leading actor/ director for 23 years. Producing Director of The Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival in Cleveland; Founder of The Vincent Dowling Theatre Company; Founder and first Artistic Director of The Miniature Theatre of Chester aka The Chester Theatre Co. He has produced, acted or directed in London, Paris, Hong Kong, The Moscow Arts, Florence, Boston, New York, Toronto, and at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC. He has toured Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, and the United States. He has made countless appearances on film, TV and Radio. He has honorary doctorates from five major American Educational Institutions; has appeared in solo performances on three state occasions at President Reagan’s White House.At all these occasions ‘Tip’O’Neill was a Guest of Honor. Vincent won an “Emmy’ for directing and producing The Playboy of the Western World on PBS. He discovered Tom Hanks , gave him his first years of professional acting work and brought to the American Stage – Colm Meaney; David Kelly (The Waking of Ned Devine) and Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel). Vincent has lectured and spoken at schools, colleges, universities, city halls, state houses, churches, chapels, cathedrals, and synagogues. Written plays, poems, op-ed articles, and autobiography- ASTRIDE THE MOON. Vincent has been the commencement speaker and/or recipient of honorary doctorates at Kent State University, Elms College, John Carroll University, Gateway Regional Highschool, The Berkshire Hills Music Academy, and The College of Wooster and Westfield State College. He hosts a weekly radio program ‘Shootin’ from the Hip’ on 103.3 FM in Northampton MA.

Mary Linda Rapelye Adele Douglas–appeared in the original version of STAR TREK as Chekhov’s girlfriend “Irina” in the episode “The Way to Eden”. She has also performed the role of Maggie Crawford for six years on As The World Turns, Faith Kipling on One Life To Live, as well as roles on Ironsides, and Medical Center and as Senator Baker’s wife in the made- for -T.V.-movie Blind Ambition about John Dean and Richard Nixon. Her other movie credits include In Cold Blood (Susan Kidwell) directed by Richard Brooks and Marooned (Gregory Peck’s daughter) directed by John Frankenheimer, Manchurian Candidate with Meryl Streep. She has toured Eastern Europe extensively, performing for the U. S. State Department’s Cultural Exchange program. Her theatre roles include Winter’s Tale (Perdita),A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena and Titania), Imaginary Invalid (Angelique), La Guerre de Troi N’auraPas Lieu (Helen of Troy), The Rivals (Julia), Peg Of My Heart ( Ethel), A Man for All Seasons ( Meg), All My Sons (Anne), Mary,Mary (Tiffany), Plaza Suite (Bride), Live Like Pigs (Mrs. Jackson), Don Juan ,(Donna Elvira), The Sisters Rosensweig ( Sara), The Sound Of Music (Mother Abbess), Oklahoma ( Ado Annie) She majored in theatre at Wellesley College and the University of Kansas and studied with Uta Hagen at the H.B. Studio in New York City. Most recently she has worked on the feature film The Box starring Cameron Diaz, The Proposal starring Sandra Bullock, and This Side Of The Truth starring Jennifer Garner

Christian Kauffmann Abraham Lincoln – last appeared as Joseph II in The Wilma Theater, production of ” Amadeus”. Previously he has starred in Bus Stop (Old Globe), To Kill a Mockingbird (Vermont Stage Company) and David Zarco’s production of The Streets of New York at the Metropolitan Playhouse. He has performed regionally at the Two Rivers Theatre Company, the McCarter Theatre and at the Seattle Repertory, Capital and Merrimack Repertory Theatres. He is a veteran of several seasons at Actors Theatre of Louisville where he had the opportunity to play numerous roles including Flute/Thisbe in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lagrange in The Royal Comedians and Will Pike in The Very Lost Love of the River Cane. He also appeared with Peter Allen as Bones in Legs Diamond on Broadway.

Peter Cormican Stephen A. Douglas – In January 1989 Harold Prince cast him as Piangi in the Original Canadian Phantom of the Opera with Colm Wilkinson. He played that role for three years and left to do Closer Than Ever across Ontario and British Columbia and later Lend Me A Tenor. Leaving Canada in 1993 he moved to London to live for four years and did the UK National tour of Buddy as HighPockets Duncan for nearly a year in 19 cities in England Ireland Scotland and Wales. In London’s West End he reprised Piangi in Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre and was in the Royal National Theatre’s Original London Cast of Lady In The Dark with Maria Friedman. A favorite production in the UK was Sweeney Todd at the Haymarket in Leicester with Dave Willets where he first met Steven Sondheim.

On Broadway He appeared with the Roundabout Theater’s 2001 revival of Sondheim’s Follies appearing as Sam Deems, Dimitri Weissman, and Roscoe. In 2002, he was honored to take part in the Sondheim Celebration in Washington DC in A Little Night Music as Mr. Erlanson. The Irish Repertory Theatre in New York is one of his favorite venues appearing there in Prisoner of the Crown, The Streets of New York, Frank McCourt’s The Irish; and how they got that way and Celtic Christmas. Other regional appearances include Mame, Rags, My Fair Lady, Anything Goes and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at Papermill Playhouse, Me & My Girl at Goodspeed, Man of La Mancha at the Maltz Jupiter Theater, and the Molly Maguires in Wilkes-Barre. He has toured the USA in Phantom of the Opera and with the Irish; and how they got that Way and appeared with Opera North East in their production of Tales of Hoffman in Worcester and Hyannis MA.

John Darrow ( Committee Man/ Reporter ) is delighted to rejoin the VDTC’s production of The Rivalry. Originally from Holyoke, MA and retired as an economics professor his early stage experiences were with variety and talent shows and collegiate theater productions. He recently has performed at venues in Western Massachusetts, in Newburyport, and in Boston and is currently cast as Captain Orton in The Arena Civic Theater’s production of The King and I scheduled for performances in late October. He is a poet and singer and is active in social and environmental advocacy. He resides in Chester, MA.

Details of Barrington Stage Company’s schedule for October, 2009, which includes The Fantastiks, The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later (An Epilogue), and Amanda McBroom with Michele Brourman in a cabaret performance.

Amanda McBroom with Michele Brourman – October 23 and 24

Back by popular demand! Following her standing room only performances at Jae’s Spice in July, Amanda McBroom brings her acclaimed cabaret performances to BSC’s Stage 2. Amanda McBroom has been called “…the greatest cabaret performer of her generation, an urban poet who writes like an angel and has a voice to match.” Composer of the power ballad “The Rose,” which became a number one hit the world over, Amanda is a knock out performer and extraordinary songwriter.

BSC Stage 2, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield
Friday, October 23 at 8pm and Saturday, October 24 at 8pm
Tickets: $35

The Fantasticks – October 7-18

Music by Harvey Schmidt
Book and Lyrics by Tom Jones
Choreographed by Janet Watson
Directed by Andrew Volkoff

Fall in love with the world’s longest-running musical! The Fantasticks is a captivating romantic comedy about a boy, a girl, two fathers and a wall. Featuring memorable songs that include “Soon It’s Gonna Rain,” “They Were You” and the beloved hit “Try to Remember.” Barrington Stage Company – see map.

The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later (An Epilogue) – October 12

by Moisés Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris and Stephen Belber of the Tectonic Theater Project – Directed by Richard M. Parison, Jr.

The creators of the highly acclaimed play The Laramie Project, which since 2000 has been one of the most performed plays in America, will premiere a compelling and groundbreaking epilogue. The original production of The Laramie Project chronicled the true story of the small town of Laramie, Wyoming, following the brutal beating and murder of Matthew Shepard. The epilogue focuses on the long-term effect of the murder of Matthew Shepard on the town of Laramie. It explores how the town has changed and how the murder continues to reverberate in the community.

The staged reading of The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later (An Epilogue) will be performed at Barrington Stage Company and more than 100 other theaters around the world on October 12, 2009.
BSC Mainstage, 30 Union Street, Pittsfield
Monday, October 12, 3pm and 7pm
Tickets: $15 adults; $10 students

Pittsfield, MA Hotels and Inns

• Comfort Inn Pittsfield
• Pittsfield Travelodge
• Patriot Suites
• Ramada Limited Inn & Suites Pittsfield
• Crown Plaza Hotel
• Berkshire Inn
• The Yankee Suites Extended Stay

[mappress]

Berkshire Theatre Festival opens its Fall 2009 season with the world premiere of Red Remembers, a one-man show based on the career of Red Barber, former announcer for the Brooklyn Dodgers and later the New York Yankees. Red Remembers was written by Andrew Guerdat and features Tony nominee David Garrison as Red Barber. The show is directed by Tony winner John Rando and associate directed by Wes Grantom. Well into retirement, Red Barber, invites the audience into an intimate, beautifully nostalgic story about his life, the history of baseball, and the core values of humanity in an ever changing world. The honor, loyalty, and perseverance of America and its favorite pastime are not lost upon Red, and he ensures they shall not be lost to us.

David Garrison returns to the BTF stage with Red Remembers. He has previously been at BTF in 13 Rue De L’Amour. David has performed on Broadway in A Day in Hollywood/A Night in Ukraine, Wicked, and The Pirates of Penzance. He has performed Off-Broadway in I Do! I Do! (for which he received a Drama Desk nomination) and The Torch Bearers. He was also featured in the national tour of Guys and Dolls as Nathan Detroit. No stranger to the camera, David also had a featured role on Married With Children and has been featured in The West Wing, Law and Order, and The Practice.

Director John Rando is the Tony Award winning director of Urinetown: The Musical and is no stranger to the BTF stage. His previous directing credits at BTF include 13 Rue De L’Amour and Transit of Venus and the world premieres of An Empty Plate in the Café Du Boeuf, Lives of the Saints, Over the River and Through the Woods, and Visiting Mr. Green. John also directed The Wedding Singer, Dance of the Vampires, and The Dinner Party on Broadway. His Off-Broadway credits include Things You Shouldn’t Say Past Midnight, Comedy of Errors, and Twelfth Night. John was also a Drama League Directing Fellow.

Red Remembers marks Wes Grantom’s debut with BTF as Associate Director. He graduated from the University of Evansville. His previous directing credits include The Nerd, Glengarry Glen Ross, In the Shelter of the Fold, and Pericles. Wes has also worked locally with the Williamstown Theatre Festival. He is a member of the Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and is a co-founder of the Slant Theatre Project.

The designers include: Jonathan Wentz, Scenic Designer; Matthew Adelson, Lighting Designer; and J Hagenbuckle, Sound Designer.

Red Remembers will run from September 11 through November 1. The performance schedule will be Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8pm, with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm. Special performances will take place October 11 and 12 at 8pm. Tickets range from $15 to $44. Single tickets are now available for purchase online at www.berkshiretheatre.org or by contacting the Festival Box Office at (413) 298-5576.