Jacob's Pillow has a unique history that has earned it a place on the Dance Heritage Coalition's list of American's Irreplaceable Dance Treasures. It was first settled in 1790 by the Carter family as a mountaintop farm. The road twisted and resembled the rungs of a lader, so it was named Jacob's Ladder. In 1931 , modern dance pioneer Ted Shawn bought the farm. Shawn and his wife Ruth St. Denis were American's leading dance couple. Shawn wanted to legitimize dance in Ameica as an honorable career for men. In 1933, he recruited 8 men for a new company. Ella Baff's 17 record-breaking seasons have confimed that her adventurous ideas and wide-ranging styles.
A diversity unique amoung international festivals - Jacob's Pillow.
"BODYTRAFFIC" - Doris Duke Theatre
Boddytraffic is establishing Los Angeles as a major cente for contemporary dance. Founded in 2007 by Lillian Barbeito, it has surged to the forefront of the concert cance world.
"The company of the future" which is one to watch.
"Alonzo King Lines Ballet"
Alonzo King LINES Ballet is a celebrated contemporary ballet company that has bee guided since 1982 by Alonzo King. Colloborating with noted composers, muscians, and visual artists , the works are created on a diverse set of deeply rooted cultural tradiditons.
The first act based on Bach was great. The second act that was accompanied by animal noises from a jungle...was awful...Bees, winds, rain, frogs, and orang-utan, humpback whales, birds, monkeys, geese and hippos did not provide a good soundscape for the ballet.
Actually we learned that ballet needs music, with a beat, or the dancers run in to each other!!
"Daniil Simkin's Intensio"
Russian creator, Daniil Simkin, Coreographer, Artistic Director, and Dancer. He is a principal in the Ameican Ballet theatre in NYC. He is one of the world's most in demand guest artists around the world. This was an interesting mix of choreograpy and dancing. His father joined him on stage at the end. The "youTube" of his life as a young child was an interesting feature.
"Daniel Ulbright & Stars of American Ballet"
Daniel Ulbright was born in St. Petersburg, Fla. Began dance training at the age of 11. He became a soloist and principal dancer in 2007 with the NYC Ballet.He is also the founder and director of Daniel Ulbricht & Stars of American Ballet, a dance ensenble devoted to high caliber dance performances.
Very interesting mix of numbers. Chopin - the first number,with 6 dancers from the American Ballet Theatre was very awkward and looked like a college dance program. Amar Ramasar kept dropping his partner. She was very tall, and he was short and struggling. - perhaps they were mismatched?
Daniel Ulbricht in the final number was incredibly athletic with his short muscular legs. It was the best of all ..."The Goblins".
With the help of town residents including Robert Sprague, pres of Sprage Electric, including Cole Porter , the Williamstown Summer Theatre was formed with $9,000. In the 1960's and 1970's the Festival company grew to over 100 members, and Williamstown became nationally known for innovative productions. Nikos Psacharopoulos became artistic director - Kate Burton, James Naughton, Olympia Dukakis and Blythe Danner performed here. Now 400 people comprise the Williamstown Theatre Festival.
"Legacy" by Daniel Goldfarb WORLD PREMIERE
Jessica Hecht - Tony Nominee and Eric Bogosian - Drama Desk Winner. When Bogosian is panned by the New York Times he reopens the conversation with his wife about starting a family . this thoughtful drama exposes the cost of trying to will our own legacy.
Well done, and well acted. Typical issues with relationships, with many references to Jewish culture.
Kyra Sedgwick stars in this '50's play. Ms Sedgwick plays a beauty queen married to the local star baseball player. He abuses her, and she escapes to a resort on the outskirts of St. Louis with her 17 year old daughter. This powerful drama deepens Inge's legacy of emotionally hard-hitting stories in the grips of the second wave of feminism in America.
The language seemed "dated". However, the age old - "how can I survive without a man" remains the core of the story.
Ellen Rabinowitz sets out to understand her past after she discovers a photograph while cleaning out her deceased grandmorther's home. Ellen is drawn into a tangle of historical facts and mysteries that lead her to unravel love stories and truths.
This was a powerful piece of theatre. The story was exquisite. The acting was riveting, and the voices were compelling. I really loved this....even cried at the last number.
"Kinship" by Carey Perloff. AMERICAN PREMIERE
Cynthia Nixon, explores what it means to be a woman in power falling into a dangerous obsession. Once again it highlights the double standard in the business world. A woman can't lust after a male employee, only to be demoted, and shamed by her peers.
The play was well done, had a great story line, and was very well acted.
Paradise Blue is an important moment in Detroit's history. The play looks at the explosive and unstable days of the 1967 riots/rebellion. Paradise Valley jazz club in 1949 - named Blackbotom in the 1800's for the dark, fertile topsoil of the area. It was the entertainment district in the 1940's, with more than 300 African-American owned businesses, ranging from pharmacies to night clubs. The federal housing act of 1949 provided funding for "slum clearance" and set in motion the displacement of hundreds of thousand of Detroit residents. By 1960 the entire Blackbottom neighborhood had been demolished to make way for the Freeway, and housing development. This changed the entire fabric of the city.
Ruben Santiago-Hudson Director - Emmy,Golden Globe,Tony, OBIE, winner staged an incredible story. It showcased this time in our history. Illustrated a government mandate that destroyed an entire culture.
All of the fun, friends, and places in Lenox.....
All of the fun, friends, and places in Lenox.....
Local Italian restaurant
Getting my hair coloured in Williamstown, by sweet Karen
Is the A/C on too strong????
We should be in the show!!
Why can't I take a "selfie" with the hawk??
Yes, another meal........
So, just a quick chest x-ray to see if I have pneumonia....
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