Holiday Happenings
By Bess Hochstein
December 2009
The Thanksgiving holiday that just past reminds me of how grateful I am to live in the Berkshires, where there’s a great hiking trail around every corner and a great performance nearly every night at one of the many venues throughout the region.
Take, for example, our two magnificently restored Gilded-Age theatres: The Mahaiwe and The Colonial. Renowned jazz singer and master guitarist, John Pizzarelli, who wowed the crowd when he and his wife, Broadway star Jessica Molaskey, taped an episode of their nationally syndicated “Radio Deluxe” show at Tanglewood this summer, returns to the Berkshires to play at the Mahaiwe on December 18. Berkshire Bach Society returns for its annual “Bach at New Year’s” performance of The Brandenburg Concerti on December 31, which will be repeated at The Colonial on New Year’s Day. The Mahaiwe’s new year begins on January 2 with a benefit performance by
Emanuel Ax to mark the naming of the Lola Jaffe Stage. Gala tickets include a reception with the famed pianist after the recital.
The Colonial is focused on the holiday season with The Canadian Brass Christmas Program on December 8; George Winston’s evocative solo piano concert on December 9; four performances of “The Nutcracker” by the Albany Berkshire Ballet December 12 & 13; David Grover’s annual family-oriented Holiday Musical Celebration on December 18; and “An Nollaig: An Irish Christmas with Eileen Ivers” on December 19. In addition, The Colonial is offering audience members of specific shows a special gift for the holidays: discounted admission to Berkshire Museum’s Festival of Trees. Furthermore, Museum visitors who present their Festival of Trees admission receipt at The Colonial box office enjoy a 10% discount on tickets to specific performances. Details can be found on the Museum’s Festival of Trees brochure.
You’ll want to pick up that brochure soon, because Berkshire Museum has scheduled a few holiday-oriented performances of its own. On Family Day, December 12, kids can enjoy the Blafield Children’s 
Chorus and the Aldersgate Bell Choir, a nod to the “Silver Bells” theme of its 25th Annual Festival of Trees. On December 29 & 30 the Museum presents the Berkshire Children’s Theater production of “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.” And kids get their own New Year’s Eve celebration at the Museum, including a performance by Boston-based magician David Hall, plus a post-show meet & greet with his assistant, Hocus the magical bunny.
Having just held a sold-out benefit in New York City, MASS MoCA departs from holiday programming on December 12 to focus on evolving technologies. During “Zoom,” a work-in progress showing by ZviDance, audience members will NOT be reminded to turn off their cell phones. Instead, they will be encouraged to use them to shoot and send photos of the performance, which may be incorporated live into the show, projected as part of the piece’s visual design. Shakespeare & Company presents a new look at an old tale. 
The world premiere of “Cindy Bella (or The Glass Slipper)” is a fresh take on the classic Cinderella story.
Two other major Berkshire theater companies are sticking with the holiday theme. Previews for Berkshire Theatre Festival’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol” begin on December 10; the production runs through December 30. On December 19 & 20, Barrington Stage Company presents local-boy-made-good Matt Cusson, who has shared the stage with stars such as James Taylor and Christina Aguillera. He’ll be joined by several of his musical colleagues in his first-ever headlining holiday concert, “Matt Cusson: Home for Christmas.”
I’d be remiss to leave out Infinity Music Hall, which has a full roster of performances throughout the month; the highlight, at least for those of a certain age, is an appearance by Judy Collins on December 12.
There will be plenty to do in the Berkshires on New Year’s Eve as many venues hold festive parties. We’ll be heading to Jae’s Spice, which regularly hosts local DJs and bands for dance parties, to drum in 2010 with a samba beat.
About Bess Hochstein
Bess J. M. Hochstein came to the Berkshires as a second-homeowner before deciding to move here full time. Previously a communications executive, she’s now a freelance business and feature writer living in Tyringham with K and her rescued corgis, Duffy and Hobbes. She writes for several publications, including Berkshire Living, The Boston Globe, and New England Wine Gazette. Find out more at BessHochstein.com.