Berkshire Theatre Group has announced its 2024 season, in addition to the previously announced production of Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” at The Colonial in Pittsfield. The Fitzpatrick Main Stage in Stockbridge, dark since the pandemic, will reopen this summer with a production of Robert Sherwood’s “Abe Lincoln in Illinois,” directed by David Auburn. Amy Herzog’s “4000 Miles,” starring Maria Tucci, opens the Unicorn Theatre roster, May 16 to June 1. BTG is producing a rarely staged production of the 1955 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, “Pipe Dream,” inspired by John Steinbeck’s “Cannery Row.” Kat Yean directs, with choreography by Isadora Wolfe, July 25 to Aug. 31. A 2012 Encores revival of the musical starring Leslie Uggams, and its subsequent recording, has brought the once-considered flop renewed interest. Eric Hill directs Conor McPherson’s “The Weir,” Sept. 26 to Oct. 27. For details: www.berkshiretheatregroup.org.
“The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” Rupert Holmes’ Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel, opens Goodspeed’s season, with performances April 5 to June 2. TheaterWorks Hartford’s Rob Ruggiero directs the musical whodunit, and the audience chooses the murderer at each performance, offering up a variety of endings to Dickens’ uncompleted work. Set in a British music hall, Drood features actors in multiple roles. Amongst the Broadway veterans cast by Ruggiero are Liz McCartney, direct from Broadway’s “Funny Girl”; Mamie Parris from Broadway’s “Cats” and “On the Twentieth Century”; and Lenny Wolpe from “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Holmes wrote “Escape (the Pina Colada Song).” For details: www.goodspeed.org.
Shakespeare & Company has announced its full 2024 season, which includes two world premieres. Titles include Lee Blessing’s “A Body of Water,” a Shakespeare cabaret, Shakespeare’s “A Comedy of Errors,” the world premiere of Carey Crim’s “The Islanders,” Jim Frangione’s “Flight of the Monarchs,” an enhanced reading of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” directed by Tina Packer, the world premiere of “Three Tall Persian Women,” and “Emma,” Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Jane Austen. For details: www.shakespeare.org.
Silverthorne Theater has announced its 2024 season, which includes play readings of “New Soul” by Leanna James Blackwell on March 28 at the LAVA Center in Greenfield, and Constance Congdon’s “Is Sex Possible?” on May 2 at the Barn Theatre in Belchertown. “The Broken Machine” by Liz Duffy Adams has its premiere June 2-16 at Hampshire College Theatre, followed by the East Coast premiere of “Bulrusher” by Eisa Davis, July 5-14, also at Hampshire. Lydia R. Diamond’s “Smart People” will tour venues in Hampshire and Franklin counties, Aug. 2-11. For details: silverthornetheater.org.
“Ride the Cyclone,” Jacob Richmond’s and Brooke Maxwell’s teen scream musical, is K&E Theatre’s spring musical, March 14-17, at the Northampton Center for the Arts. It’s the story of some kids placed in limbo when an amusement park ride goes astray. Eddie Zitka directs and choreographs. For details: www.ketg.org.
The Westfield Athenaeum will present the Springfield Chamber Players (formerly MOSSO) Piano Trio in a program showcasing women composers on Thursday, March 14, at 7 p.m. at the Athenaeum’s Lang Auditorium. The trio, featuring violinist Marsha Harbison, cellist Boris Kogan and pianist Sofya Shainskaya, will perform works by Amy Beach, Florence Price, Lili Boulanger, Clara Schumann, Rebecca Clarke, Jennifer Higdon, and Libby Larson. A pre-concert lecture by Athenaeum Director Guy McLain precedes the concert at 6 p.m. and is free to ticket holders. For details: www.westath.org.
Espressivo! A quartet featuring violinist Jaime Laredo, cellist Sharon Robinson, violist Milena Pájaro-van de Stadt and pianist Anna Polonsky performs music by Mozart, Mendelssohn and Brahms on the Valley Classical Concerts series, March 14, at Sweeney Concert Hall, Smith College, Northampton. For details: www.valleyclassicalconcerts.org.
“Home Grown,” the 43rd annual Jazz Showcase, will be presented by the UMass Department of Music and Dance on March 26 at Bowker Auditorium. The concert features compositions and arrangements by UMass musicians, faculty and students. For details: www.fineartscenter.com.
Mark G. Auerbach studied theater at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He has worked for arts organizations nationwide and reported on the arts for print and broadcast. Mark produces and hosts “ArtsBeat,” “Athenaeum Spotlight” and “On the Mark” for WCPC, Channel 15 in Westfield, and WSKB 89.5 FM. His “Arts Beat” column appears Mondays in The Westfield News. He’s a regular contributor to Pioneer Valley Radio and a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association.
