Berkshires' Three Restored Historic Theatres
Colonial, Mahaiwe, and Infinity Theatres Offer Varied Playbills
Jun 23, 2009
Berkshire County, Massachusetts and the adjacent Litchfiled Hills in northern Connecticut are well known for outdoor summer arts festivals. There’s Tanglewood for classical music, jazz, and the annual visits from Garrison Keillor and James Taylor. Jacob’s Pillow offers up a packed schedule of world-class modern dance. And Berkshire Theatre and Shakespeare and Company put up a smorgasbord of plays, classic through modern.
Adding to the wealth of arts opportunities are the Berkshires’ three recently renovated historic theatres, each a jewel-like space that has been carefully restored down to the last detail of gilded filigree. Each of the theatres has a different character, but they all offer an intimate experience and a full schedule of nationally known performers..
Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Located on North Street in downtown Pittsfield, the 800-seat Colonial Theatre is a Gilded Age playhouse designed by famed theatre architect J. B. McElfatrick. In its hey-day, in the early part of the 20th century, the Colonial attracted some of the most famed performers in the world, including John Philip Sousa, Ignaz Paderewski, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. After it shut down, part of the space was used for retail, and the theatre sat, safe but silent for half a century.
In 2006, the newly restored theatre was reopened after a multi-year multi-million dollar renovation project. It now serves as the linchpin for economic redevelopment in Pittsfield, a town that had been economically devastated in the 1980s by the loss of key businesses such as General Electric. Today, the theatre serves as a focal point for Pittsfield’s re-emergence as a cultural center. It presents wide variety of symphony, theatre, cabaret, ballet, opera, popular music, and jazz performances. For Box Office information: (413) 997-4444.
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, Massachusetts
The 690-seat Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is located in Great Barrington on the southern end of Berkshire County. In addition to live acts ranging from the bluesy rock ‘n roll of Johnny Winter to singer-songwriter Janis Ian to actors such as Bebe Neuwirth and Jane Atkinson, the theatre also presents high-definition films and broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. This extremely popular broadcast is available only in select theatres nationwide that have the requisite equipment; opera enthusiasts enjoy not only being up close and personal, but seeing the extra features such as artist interviews and backstage tours. For Box Office information: (413) 528-0700.
Infinity Music Hall and Bistro in Norfolk, Connecticut
Located just over the border, in Connecticut’s Litchfield County, Norfolk ‘s Infinity Theatre shouldn’t be ignored by summer visitors to the Berkshires. It’s only about a half an hour’s drive from Great Barrington, as well as a half-hour from Torrington, Connecticut.
The 300-seat Infinity Music Hall and Bistro bills itself as Connecticut’s “oldest new music hall.” It’s an intimate space with fold-down (but cushioned) seats, wooden walls (more than 80- percent of the wood is original to the structure), and fantastic acoustics. Unlike the gilded Mahaiwe and the elegant Colonial, the Infinity has a more 19th-century small town music hall feel. It’s easy to imagine Mark Twain lecturing from the stage, as he did shortly after theatre was first built in 1883. Today’s schedule includes about 200 national and regional acts a year. The Infinity Bistro offers fine pre- and post-theatre dining and drinks. For Box Office information: 866-666-6303.
Of course, the main attractions for summer tourists in the Berkshires are the region’s stupendous natural beauty and outdoor activities, ranging from hiking, bicycling, and boating as well as the long-established outdoors music and arts festivals. But the region’s three historic theatres are local treasures, offering first-class performances in unusually intimate and historic spaces – without mosquitoes or the threat of rain.
For more information on Berkshire County attractions, including skiing, farmers' markets, adventure park, and country homes. See the Berkshire Resources page.
 |
 |
