Christiana Nelson News

The winners of the First Annual Berkshire Theatre Awards have been announced. Seventeen arts journalists voted on 120 nominees in 25 categories chosen from artists in the 75 live theatre productions mounted in Berkshire County and adjacent areas between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016.

In the last twelve months, more than 300,000 people attended a live theatre production in or around Berkshire County. With 75 stage productions employing hundreds of professionals, making theatre is an important cog in the area's cultural economy. In fact, many consider the region a hot spot for Broadway bound shows, and a popular summer destination for theatre-goers from around the nation.

Shakespeare & Company presented the first full American production of Red Velvet, written by Lolita Chakrabarti, directed by Daniela Varon, and starring OBIE Award-winning actor John Douglas Thompson last night and Broadwayworld's Stephen Sorokoff was there. This powerful and emotional drama joins the Tina Packer Playhouse repertory and runs through September 13. Check out photos from the production below!

Back for its sixth summer, the Fordham Alumni Company will present six theatre and dance-pieces, each with a connection to Fordham Alumni. From a pool of over thirty applicants, these works were granted rehearsal space and time, as well as a culminating workshop performance at Fordham's Lincoln Center campus. All performances will be presented at the Veronica Lally Kehoe Theater at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (113 W. 60th St., NYC). Admission is free. For reservations, e-mail FordhamAlumniCompany@gmail.com.