Weekend Cultural Highlights, Jan 29- Feb 4

Submitted by Seth Rogovoy on January 28, 2010 - 10:23pm

Here in the dead of winter, it turns out to be a weekend rich in theater here in the Berkshires.
 
 
Les Liaisons Dangereuses begins previews this weekend at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, before officially opening a week from Saturday night. Christopher Hampton’s wickedly entertaining story of love, indulgence, betrayal and corruption, full of devious plotting, sexual intrigue and morally ambiguous motivations, stars Shakespeare & Company’s own Elizabeth Aspenlieder and is directed by company founder Tina Packer.
 
This is the same play that won the prestigious Olivier and Tony Awards, and the Stephen Frears-directed film earned the 1988 Academy Award for Best Film. Les Liaisons Dangereuses is being staged in the 190-seat Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre through March 21. Curtain times are 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays (plus 2pm matinees every Saturday beginning February 13) and 2pm on Sundays. Tickets range from $12 to $48 with multiple discounts available, including discounts for Groups, Students, Seniors, and the very popular 40% Berkshire Resident Discount.
 
Box Office (413) 637-3353 or boxoffice@shakespeare.org to order tickets or learn more about discount availability, or order tickets from www.shakespeare.org.
 
 
 
Up at MASS MoCA in North Adams on Saturday night, Tripod versus the Dragon, the world’s first opera based on the popular role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons, will have its world premiere at 8.
 
 
Combining classic old-school character comedy, brand new songs, and liberal references to the great operas, the Bible and the other bible: the Dungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook. The opera, from the wildly popular Australian trio Tripod, is their epic journey to bring together harmonies, comedy, and a love of the game that shaped them as children of the ’80s.  
 
 
It’s a grand tale of love, ambition, greed, and tragedy . It’s as if Larry, Moe, and Curly were starring in the next part of the Ring Cycle. The award-winning trio called Tripod has been entertaining audiences down under for over a decade and a half. Regulars on Australian radio and television, and asked to open last year’s Microsoft keynote conference in Vegas, these three talented men were just nominated for their sixth ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association award) for Best Comedy Album of the year, an award that they won in 2005.
 
 
They’ve been in residence for two weeks at MASS MoCA, during which time they’ve worked towards the world premiere of the show that is destined for the busy fringe festival season.
 
Box Office: 413.662.2111 or http://www.massmoca.org
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Colonial in Pittsfield, meanwhile, presents a touring version of the classic Harold Prince musical Cabaret on Saturday at 3 and 8.
 
 
 
Tickets for the performance are $65 and $45 and can be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street Monday-Friday 10AM-5PM, performance Saturdays 10AM-2PM, by calling (413) 997-4444 or online at www.TheColonialTheatre.org
 
 
 
A special live Hi-Def telecast of Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion takes place next Thursday at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington at 8.
 
Next week’s show boasts special guests including sibling vocalists Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele, songstress Heather Masse, folk duo Robin and Linda Williams; and none other than Elvis Costello. Rounding out the ensemble, led by host, storyteller , and singer Garrison Keillor, are actors Sue Scott and Tim Russell, sound-effects wizards Tom Keith and Fred Newman, and the Guy's All-Star Shoe Band led by keyboardist, composer and arranger Richard Dworsky, guitarist Pat Donohue, percussionist Peter Johnson and bassist Gary Raynor.
 
 
 
Movie audiences are encouraged to arrive a half-hour prior to the advertised start time for an exclusive on-screen warm-up produced by A Prairie Home Companion before the live show begins.
 
 
In a first for the legendary radio show, eleven high-definition cameras will be stationed throughout the famed Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minn., in various positions, including backstage, that will capture the excitement of the live performance and the behind-the-scenes action.
 
 
Tickets for the Prairie Home Companion: LIVE in HD at the Mahaiwe Performing on Thursday, February 4 at 8pm are available for $23 Adult/$21 Seniors/ $16 Children 12 and under at the Mahaiwe Box Office (located at 14 Castle Street in Great Barrington, Mass.) Box Office Hours: Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 6pm and 3 hours before show times. For tickets and information, see http://www.mahaiwe.org or call the Mahaiwe Box Office at 413.528.0100. 
 
 

 

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