Janeane Garofalo, NYGASP and More Join Berkshire Theatre Group's 2017 Colonial Theatre Lineup

Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) announces additions to their 2017 Colonial Theatre programming: Catch the Fever: An Evening with Fabrizio and the Fever (5/19); Bobby Sweet CD Release Party (6/11); The Airplane Family & Friends with Live Dead '69, reuniting Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, and Grateful Dead alumni (6/17); Emmy Award-nominated comedian, Janeane Garofalo (8/12); rock n' roll legends, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes (8/17); and New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, I've Got A Little Twist (8/18).

Tickets are now on sale. For tickets, contact the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street, Pittsfield by calling 413-997-4444, or 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.

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Catch the Fever: An Evening with Fabrizio and the Fever
at The Colonial Theatre
Friday, May 19 at 7pm
Tickets: $25
VIP Tickets: $50 (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)

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.

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.

Bobby Sweet CD Release Party
At The Colonial Theatre
Sunday, June 11 at 7pm
Tickets: $15

Bobby has shared the bill with top country and folk artists Vince Gill, Martin Sexton, Pete Seeger, and many others. As a sought-after lead guitarist he has opened for George Jones, Asleep at the Wheel, Willie Nelson, and more. He recently returned home from his fourth US tour with Arlo Guthrie.

As a songwriter, Bobby was selected as a finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival in TX. His songs have also received recognition from The Billboard Songwriting Contest and have aired on many hit television series including Nashville, Touched By An Angel, Walker Texas Ranger, and CSI.

This concert celebrates the release of Bobby's eagerly-awaited new album, All These Changes. This Berkshire native will be performing with his BSweet Band, featuring Pete Adams, Abe Guthrie, Bruce Mandel, and Andy Crawford.

The Airplane Family & Friends with Live Dead '69
at The Colonial Theatre
Saturday, June 17 at 8pm
Tickets: A: $50 B: $25

The Airplane Family & Friends with Live Dead '69 reunites Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, Grateful Dead alumni, and other musical luminaries, comprising a veritable "Who's Who" of "The Summer of Love's" legendary musicians.

The Airplane Family & Friends band members include: Darby Slick, composer of "Somebody To Love," who launched the career of Grace Slick in his band The Great Society before she joined Jefferson Airplane in 1966; Peter Kaukonen, a founding member of both Hot Tuna and Jefferson Starship, and a member of Jefferson Airplane; Prairie Prince, Jefferson Starship drummer (1992-2007), co-founded The Tubes, and regularly tours with Todd Rundgren; Slick Aguilar, lead guitarist for Jefferson Starship (1992-2015) and David Crosby (1983-1986); Eva Avila, Canadian Idol winner, actress (The Wall Theatrical Extravaganza) makes her U.S. debut reprising Grace Slick's vocal repertoire; Joli Valenti, son of Dino Valenti, sings Marty Balin's timeless parts, and brings selections from Quicksilver Messenger Service.

Live Dead '69 is comprised of original Grateful Dead pianist, Tom Constanten, who played all the keyboards on the original "Live Dead" recording, and Mark Karan, lead guitarist with Bob Weir's Rat Dog and The Other Ones, which featured every other surviving Grateful Dead member. Live Dead '69 shall perform the classic "Live Dead" (recorded in 1969) in its entirety for the first time anywhere ever.

Janeane Garofalo
at The Colonial Theatre
Saturday, August 12 at 8pm
Tickets: $39.50

Emmy Award-nominated Actress and comedian, SNL alum Janeane Garofalo has been an American institution since she burst on the scene in 1992. Janeane has had many memorable and critically acclaimed roles in films, such as: The Truth About Cats and Dogs, Wet Hot American Summer, Ratatouille, Steal This Movie, Reality Bites, Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, Mystery Men, The Ten and The Cable Guy. Janeane co-authored the bestseller Feel This Book, with Ben Stiller.

In addition to acting in film and television, Janeane is an outspoken activist, spoken word performer, and stand-up comedy entertainer, known and respected around the world. She was instrumental in the successful launching of the first liberal radio network, Air America Radio, where she hosted her own talk show, The Majority Report. A lightning rod for controversy, Janeane's well informed opinions and unflinching honesty have inspired laughs, as well as striking a chord with the left, right and everyone in between.

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes
at The Colonial Theatre
Thursday, August 17 at 8pm
Tickets: A: $50 • B: $30

"For I've always wanted to be a Juke...and I still do." -Jon Bon Jovi

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes are legends in the rock n' roll scene. For over thirty years they have been delighting audiences and recording music in their hard-driving style. They have turned out more than thirty albums, thousands of live performances around the globe and produced a legion of dedicated and enthusiastic fans. These musical giants of the Jersey Shore influenced musicians from Bruce Springsteen to Bon Jovi and are still going strong today.

Just last year, the iconic Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes released the highly-acclaimed Soultime!, their first new studio CD of all original material in five years.

Southside's first three albums, I Don't Want To Go Home, This Time It's for Real, and Hearts of Stone were produced by Steven Van Zandt (E Street Band, The Sopranos) and featured songs written by Van Zandt and Bruce Springsteen. "I Don't Want To Go Home" became Southside's signature song, an evocative mix of horn-based melodic riffs and soul-searching lyrics. Rolling Stone Magazine voted Hearts of Stone among the top 100 albums of the 1970s and 1980s.

With a decades-long successful career, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes continue to deliver their soul-searing brand of raucous blues and R&B, with material mined from their many albums, featuring hits like "I Don't Want To Go Home," "Love On The Wrong Side Of Town," "The Fever," "This Time It's For Real," "Talk To Me," and their definitive fun-time cover of "We're Having A Party." The Jukes' legendary high-energy live performances always satisfy with their classic blend of Stax-influenced R&B and gritty, rock and roll.

New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players I've Got A Little Twist
at The Colonial Theatre
Friday, August 18 at 8pm
Tickets: Premium: $45 • A: $35 • B: $25

Take Gilbert & Sullivan, add a twist of Broadway, and stir! It's where The Mikado meets The Music Man. Where the HMS Pinafore sets sail for Brigadoon. Where The Pirates of Penzance take shore leave On The Town. It's a one-of-a-kind show that proves the Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire is as fun, fresh and full of life as, well, three little maids from school! See for yourself as New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players celebrates the legacy of Gilbert & Sullivan in American musical theater, featuring favorites from Rodgers & Hammerstein, Bernstein, Sondheim, Lerner & Loewe, Meredith Willson, and Jerry Herman.

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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 organization 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.