'CATCH THE FEVER' to Raise Funds for the Richie duPont Award at The Colonial Theatre

Berkshire Theatre Group presents Catch the Fever: An Evening with Fabrizio and the Fever, raising scholarship funds for the Richie duPont Award to fulfill kids' dreams to attend theatre camp, at The Colonial Theatre on Friday, May 19 at 7pm.

This event is sponsored by: Basile Vein Specialists, Carr Hardware, Dave and Terrie Comalli, Lipton Energy, Firefly, Michael A. Fabrizio MD PC, Margo Garrett, Hotel on North, Mazzeo's Meat Market, Mazzeo's Ristorante, Pignatelli Electric, Spirited, Bill and Rose Ann Sturgeon and Your Color Connection.

The Richie duPont Award was established in 2005 in memory of a talented young actor who performed in two of Berkshire Theatre Group's Main Stage productions. This fund provides camp scholarships so children can pursue their dreams of being on stage.

Caroline Fairweather, 2009 and 2010 Richie duPont Award recipient, says "The Richie DuPont scholarship was instrumental to my growth as an actor, allowing me to attend a theatre camp at BTG two summers in a row."

Fabrizio and the Fever is led by Berkshire native, musician/songwriter, Michael Fabrizio. After moving to Nashville, Fabrizio started Fabrizio and the Fever. The band features: sound engineer and songwriter, Mark Lonsway (backing vocals and acoustic guitar), Matt Zehr (electric guitar), Berklee Music grad, Christine Moad (bass) and, the time keeper of the group, Steve Wolfe (drums). Fabrizio and the Fever has opened for esteemed acts from all genres, including: Sleeper Agent, Boston, Trigger Hippie, Robert Randolph, Craig Morgan, Jessica Andrews, John Carter Cash, Raelyn Nelson, Lewis Brice and more. The band has recently completed their sophomore album Head Theatre.

Michael Fabrizio says, "To be able to headline a show at The Colonial Theatre is a dream. Working in Nashville, my company's goal is to nurture musicians, bands and entertainers and allow them the freedom and know-how to succeed independently in an ever-growing and changing industry. This show will raise funds for those dream-chasers in Berkshire County to keep on chasing, one step closer to actualizing their dreams."

Tickets to Catch the Fever: An Evening with Fabrizio and the Fever are $25. VIP tickets are $50, which includes premium seating and a 6pm pre-show reception in the Garage with complimentary refreshments, special acoustic set with Michael Fabrizio, and preview of silent auction items. Contact the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street, Pittsfield by calling 413-997-4444, or online at www.berkshiretheatregroup.org. The Ticket Office is open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sundays 10am-2pm or on any performance day from 10am until curtain.

The Colonial Theatre, founded in 1903, and Berkshire Theatre Festival, founded in 1928, are two of the oldest cultural organizations in the Berkshires. In 2010, under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire, the two organizations merged to form Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG). Berkshire Theatre Group's mission is to support wide ranging artistic exploration and acclaimed performances in theatre, dance, music and entertainment. Every year, BTG produces and presents performances to over 68,000 attendees and, through our Educational Program, serves over 13,000 Berkshire County schoolchildren annually. BTG's celebrated stages reflect the history of the American theatre; they represent a priceless cultural resource for the community.