the theater

imageSteele (the owner of the motel) enjoys the theater; but not just any theater.  It has to be something that adds to life.  He saw just such a performance at the Berkshire Theater Festival – founded in 1928, and the longest running professional theater in the Berkshires.

Steele’s big night out was to “A Christmas Carol”, and he says it was the best performance he had ever seen.  And he has seen this particular play many times, including Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C.  So, the Berkshire Theater Festival is his number one pick.  www.berkshiretheater.org

Another favorite is the Mac Haydn Theater in Chatham New York – about 20 minutes from the motel.  Steele had the chance to see “Forever Plaid” a quirky off-Broadway musical comedy.  And it was really, really well done.

The theater itself is a country theater.  You won’t find much pretence here.  The theater is in the round, which really brings the performances up close and personal.  The seats are comfortable, HVAC well done and sound perfect.  They have done all the important things right.  For more information on the Mac Haydn, please note their website: www.machaydntheatre.org

imageIf venturing off to the north Berkshires or Upper Hudson Valley near the river, there are some theaters worth seeing just because they are so beautiful all by themselves.  There is the Williamstown Theater and the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing arts… all located within the region.   While the Fisher Center looks something akin to a crumpled piece of tin foil, it is still very fun.

But this is just two options.  This region boasts of over 1,000 major theatrical performances a year.  There are the modern plays that speak of political correctness, abusive plays making fun of all, the classics, Shakespeare… it is all there.

A quick list of a few other theaters include: (* is our best pick)

Taconic Stage Company ~ Copake NY, 5 minutes
Stageworks ~ Hudson NY, 25 minutes
Ghent Playhouse ~ Ghent NY, 20 minutes
The Theater Barn ~ New Lebanon NY, 20 minutes
Walking the Dog Theater* ~ Hudson NY, 25 minutes
Barrington State Company* ~ Pittsfield MA, 35 minutes
Shakespeare & Company ~ Lee MA, 35 minutes
Mahaiwe ~ Great Barrington MA, 10 minutes
The Colonial Theater ~ Pittsfield MA, 35 minutes
Bard Fisher Center ~ Annondale-on-the-Hudson NY, 35 minutes

MORE INFORMATION:  These are the two big tourism sites in the area – (Columbia County) – www.bestcountryroads.com and (Berkshire County) – www.berkshires.org.  To have information snail-mailed to your home, go here