Governor and First Lady Patrick to Celebrate Berkshire Culture at MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES, 10/11-13

Governor Deval L. Patrick and First Lady Diane B. Patrick will serve as Honorary Chairs of the 2013 Made in the Berkshires festival. The 'locally grown' arts festival is held on Columbus Day Weekend, October 11-13 and features new works in drama, dance, music, film, readings, and visual art. Now in its third year, Made in the Berkshires presents artists, writers, and performers who share a common connection with the region.

"We're delighted to see Made in the Berkshires flourish and we appreciate the Governor's and Mrs. Patrick's endorsement," said Kate Maguire, Artistic Director and CEO of Berkshire Theatre Group. "The Colonial Stage will play host to an opening extravaganza and throughout the weekend there will be performances both in Pittsfield and at the Unicorn Theatre on our Stockbridge campus."

Maguire continued, "Co-curators Barbara Sims and Hilary Somers Deely have outdone themselves this year." Maguire cited as opening night highlights: Heather Fisch and the Androgynes exploring the Rapture of Music and a poetry reading,Dragon Breath, employing an iconic Gregory Crewdson image as a backdrop. Other highlighted opening night performances include noted musician Gerard McBurney's original composition, produced by Hans Morris: "Cherry Cottage-five variants for piano," a short story from Kevin O'Hara and a film from Patrick Toole. The opening celebration concludes with a dance finale featuring Dawn Lane and CATA (Community Access to the Arts). The post-performance reception will feature "A Taste of the Berkshires" offering the best of local meats, cheeses, desserts, and beverages.

Lenox resident, Suky Werman will curate the visual art component, which starts off the opening night celebrations with work by: Rebecca Weinman, Gabrielle Senza, Carole Schulze, and several other artists. On Saturday, the Unicorn hosts new theatrical works: Chris Newbound's new play Old Family Friends directed by Barbara Sims which features television actor, Kevin O'Rourke and Broadway actress, JurIan Hughes; Mary and Edith: Musing from Women a Century Apart featuring Mary Mott, Kate Maguire and Kim Taylor, and six new short plays by Berkshire County authors.On Sunday, performances return to the Colonial for an evening of more film, dance, and music.

All-Access Passes, opening night tickets and single event tickets are on sale now. All-Access Passes include tickets to each MITB presentation and specially provided snacks and concessions from Elm St. Market.

Contact the Colonial Ticket Office, located at 111 South Street, Pittsfield by calling 413-997-4444. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.berkshiretheatregroup.org. Ticket Offices are open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm or on any performance day from 10am until curtain. All plays, presentations, schedules, casting and prices are subject to change.

2013 Schedule of Events for Made in the Berkshires

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 AT THE COLONIAL THEATRE:

Opening Night Celebration at 6:30pm:
Visual Art: Curated by Suky Werman
Opening Night Presentations at 7:30pm:

Film: The View from Hurlburt's Hill by Ben Hillman
Dance: Rainy Night, street light... performed by Berkshire Pulse, choreographed by Bettina Montano
Poetry: Dragon Breath by CD Nelsen with image by Gregory Crewdson
Film: Fat Boy Needs Energy by Patrick Toole
Dance: A Brief Study in Musical Rapture by Heather Fisch and the Androgynes
Short Story: A Night in the Heavens by Kevin O'Hara
Film: The River by Sam Handel
Music: Cherry Cottage-Five Variants for Piano: composed by Gerard McBurney, Piano soloist John Goodwin; images by David Simonds
Dance: common ground performed by The Moving Company
Taste of The Berkshires (immediately following the opening night presentations)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 AT THE UNICORN THEATRE:

Readings of Short Stories and Short Plays from 1pm to 3pm:
Short Play: Spatial Counterpoint by Frances Benn Hall, directed by Bruce Macdonald
Short Story: Spaghetti With Beans by Jim Bracken
Short Play: Haunted by Andy Reynolds, directed by Hilary Sommers Deely
Short Story: One Big One by AlBert Stern, read by AlBert Stern
Short Play: The Kite Tale by Tom Gladwell, read by Tom Gladwell
Short Play: Bury My Ashes Near the Rental House by Jane Denitz Smith, directed by Hilary Sommers Deely

4pm to 6pm
Full Length Play: Old Family Friends by Chris Newbound, directed by Barbara Sims

7pm
Theatre: Mary and Edith: Musings by Women a Century Apart with Kate Maguire, Mary Mott, Kim Taylor, in stories by Mary Mott and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author, Edith Wharton

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 AT THE GARAGE (THE COLONIAL THEATRE LOBBY)

9pm Music: The Wanda Houston Band
The Wanda Houston Band plays favorite hits from the '20s through the '90s and brings a highly versatile and exuberant experience to the stage.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13 AT THE COLONIAL THEATRE:

Short Films from 5pm to 6pm:
Priorities by Patrick Toole
Imaginarium by Ben Tobin
The Fall of Jack Morgans by Keith Winthrop
Bach of the Antarctic by Ben Hillman

Dance from 7pm to 8pm:
Berkshire Dance Theatre Contributing Artist: Chuck Paquette, Choreographer
Berkshire Pulse Dance Company Contributing Artist: Bettina Montano, Artistic Director
The Moving Company Contributing Artist: Dawn Lane and CATA

8pm to 9pm
Improvisational music with projections by Vikki True! with Richard Downs, Sam Rosen, Peter Schneider, Charlie Tokarz, Jamie Vichk