A Christmas Carol

BTF’s annual production of the classic story about the redemptive power of kindness and generosity.

Playing in the Unicorn Theatre Dec. 11-14, Dec. 17-22, and Dec. 26-30 at 7pm.

There will be 2pm matinee performances on Dec. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, and 28.

A 10am matinee will be held on Dec. 15, 18, and 22. There will be no performances on Dec. 24 and 25.    Children $20, Adults $36-$39

There are many reasons to come to the Berkshires in December.   One of them is the annual production of A Christmas Carol at the Berkshire Theater Festival in Stockbridge, MA.   For tickets, CLICK HERE.

Another is a stay at Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast in Lenox, less than a 10 minute drive from the theater.  Hampton Terrace is considered one of Lenox's top-rated inns, and one that decorates lavishly for the holidays.

Sure, how can you avoid the jaw-dropping vistas.   But what do you do when the roll of film is finished, or the sun goes down?    Let me count the ways:

THEATER:   Shakespeare & Company, walking distance from Hampton Terrace, is featuring "The Canterville Ghost" in its new Elayne Bernstein Theater.    Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield is presenting "To Kill A Mockingbird."   The Berkshire Theater Festival has Eleanor, Her Secret Journey in October.   Can't make it back so soon?   Come in December and enjoy their annual A Christmas Carol. 

 MUSIC:   Surprising number of things going on:   At the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, there is a long list of September-October musical events, including The Indigo Girls, Dar WIlliams, the Metropolitan Opera LIVE Series, and a concert honoring Daniel Pearl, who spent much of his career at the Berkshire Eagle.  For a listing, Mahaiwe Schedule.  Also, the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield is matching the quantity, starting with a tribute to the "Rat Pack," music from Ireland and Africa and numerous classical options in a gloriously restored turn-of-the-century theater:  Colonial Schedule.    Most of the summer classical music presenters also have come up with something, so to see those choices, take a LOOK at the Berkshire Visitors Bureau music page.   For a more comprehensive look at music in the clubs, or at the mixed media venues like MASS MOCA, look at the entertainment links in the Berkshire Eagle and click on "Entertainment."

HISTORIC HOUSE TOURS:   They called us the "Inland Newport," but I am not sure even Newport had 80+ Gilded Age homes so large that they could cleverly be called "cottages."   All will still be open during October, including The Mount, Ventfort Hall, Naumkeag, Chesterwood, and Herman Melville's Arrowhead.

 MUSEUMS:   All open:   The Clark Art Institute, Hancock Shaker Village, The Berkshire Museum, Mass Moca, and  the Norman Rockwell Museum.

 RESTAURANTS:  Just last week, we completely rewrote our restaurant recommendation list.   Yes, we have an ever-expanding database of guest experiences to consider, but mainly there are SO MANY new restaurant openings we are once again struck by the fact that the Berkshires is a rural version of New York City.   I mean, take the music, dance, theater, museums, art galleries, restaurants and interesting lodging….substitute mountains for skyscrapers…and you have us.   Back to food:   there are the old reliables where you will always get a great meal, like "The Old Mill" in Egremont, but now you have to add The Mission Bar and Grill and Jae's Spice in Pittsfield, Allium, Napa (moved from Lenox) and Xicohtencatl Mexican (not that new, but new to our radar) in Great Barrington, Alta, Barrood's, Jonathans, Chocolate Springs and Haven in Lenox, and Viva in Housatonic.   It is worth a stay at Hampton Terrace just to see our restaurant recommendation list!   Last, but not least, dine with the Shakers!   Six times from October 11/12  through December there are special Shaker dinners at the Hancock Shaker Village.

I am here to dispel the misconception that things close down when the Boston Symphony leaves Tanglewood at the end of August.   To the contrary, all of the theater groups continue right through October, the museums don't miss a beat, and in fact, it can be demonstrated that MORE things are happening, as the individual towns attempt to extend the "season" by holding festivals celebrating everything from apples to zuchinis (true!).

So before putting Tanglewood in the rear view window, let's talk about their annual Jazz Festival on Labor Day Weekend.   This year marks a 90th Birthday celebration for Marian McPartland, the ubiquitous host of NPR's Piano Jazz.   For the seventh year, she'll be taping her live show for broadcast.    Also during the weekend, Tanglewood will present jazz luminaries Mark O'Connor, Edmar Castaneda, Joe Locke, Elaine Elias, Nnenna Freelon, Spencer Day, Mulgrew Miller, Donal Fox, Christian Scott (pictured), Dianne Reeves, Eddie Daniels, Jane Monheit, and Terence Blanchard.     For a schedule, and ticket information, TANGLEWOOD JAZZ FESTIVAL.

For something COMPLETELY different, the 3rd Annual Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow will be held at Eastover Resort in Lenox.   Subtitled the "Spirit on the Mountain Music Festival," the weekend includes an authentic American Indian Pow Wow, American Indian Grammy winners Bill Miller and Indigenous, and the 60's icon band, Jefferson Starship.   The setting will also include Native American arts and crafts, food and vendors.   For information, CLICK HERE.

This represents only two suggestions for Labor Day.   There are hundreds of other options, from Shakespeare & Company and Berkshire Theater Festival, to blueberry picking and bar hopping.   As always, as a future guest of Hampton Terrace, we provide a long list of advance information to help you plan you stay.

For the Labor Day weekend, it is still possible to stay at Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast in Lenox.   Unlike many of the local Berkshire inns, we only require a two night minimum.   That leaves single Friday and Sunday nights available as well, so if you want to catch the Sunday show, for example, it is possible to stay here.   We are very proud that Hampton Terrace is now ranked #1 in Lenox, based on TripAdvisor unsolicited guest reviews.

80 Years!   If that is not sustainability, what is?   The Berkshire Theatre Festival is the lone presenting organization that matches Tanglewood's tenure, and its stage has featured some of the most important actors of the century.   The 2008 schedule includes "Candida," opening next week and showcasing Jayne Atkinson, most recently famous for playing CTU Director Karen Hayes on 24. 

Other important offerings on the Main Stage include "The Book Club Play," "A Man for All Seasons," "Noel Coward in Two Keys," "Oliver!,"  and six plays in the Unicorn Theater.   BTF will feature "A Christmas Carol" in December….what a great opportunity for a Romantic Getaway at a Berkshire inn, such as Hampton Terrace, which is located just a ten minute drive from Stockbridge and the Berkshire Theatre Festival.   TripAdvisor.com ranks Hampton Terrace among the top two Lenox inns based on unsolicited guest reviews.

Unquestionably Tanglewood is the most internationally known attraction in the Berkshires, but our theater offerings are an embarrassment of riches:   Shakespeare & Company, Barrington Stage Company, Williamstown Theater Festival, Jacob's Pillow and many others.   This column will feature a different theatre company each day, and while attending shows and considering Berkshires lodging, check out Hampton Terrace, located just steps from Lenox's heralded restaurants and shops.  

Tanglewood fills the Berkshires every weekend during the summer.   If you want to avoid the large crowds and enjoy a wide range of theater offerings while staying in a romantic b&b, consider a mid-week visit and save 30% compared to our normal room rates.

When considering Lenox or the Berkshires, many people think Tanglewood and the Boston Symphony.   But of equal stature (and actually exceeding Tanglewood in total audience) are the local theater companies, including Shakespeare and Company, Berkshire Theater Festival, Williamstown Theater Festival, Jacob's Pillow (dance), Barrington Stage Company, and many others.   All are kicking off their seasons this week and next.

Shakespeare & Company, founded by Tina Packer, is in its 31st season, and is located just one block from Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast.   Their large campus includes multiple theater options, including their main stage, The Founder's Theater.   This year, they are opening with "The Ladies Man," a French farce that we saw last Thursday night.   It was GREAT!   At our Lenox bed and breakfast, we get feedback every morning at breakfast about what our guests did the night before, where they ate, etc.   At least eight of our guests have now seen "The Ladies Man" and agree with us.   It has all the things you would expect from this genre:   double entrendres, mistaken identities and maniacal (and I mean really maniacal) action.   I was exhausted from the energy on stage…no daily gym workouts needed for these actors.   "The Ladies Man" is being performed all summer, alternating with other significant productions including "Othello," "All's Well that Ends Well," "The Goatwoman of Corvis County," "The Canterville Ghost," "Bad Dates," and numerous free presentations on their outdoor stage.   You can see, this industrious group is not limited to Shakespeare.   Importantly, they are opening a new venue, The Elayne Bernstein Stage in August.    So for those of you who are looking to avoid the weekend crowds associated with Tanglewood, consider coming to the Berkshires Sunday to Thursday and entertaining yourselves with these exciting theater options.

And as always, combine at visit to Shakespeare and Company with a fine bed and breakfast experience by staying at Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast……located just one block from Shakespeare and Company.   Stay multiple nights mid-week and save up to 30%.