I believe I mentioned that theatre in the Berkshires is not limited to Barrington Stage Company, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Shakespeare & Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and the stages of the Colonial and Mahaiwe Theaters.  When a guest at Hampton Terrace asks "what is there to do once I get there?" I  find myself almost speechless.   Where do I start?    Or, more often, a guest will start by announcing that they plan to go to Tanglewood on Saturday night and they were wondering if there is something to do on the other two nights of their stay.   This is why everyone who stays at our Lenox inn gets several attachments on their confirmation:   a list of dining options and a list of other activities to consider, including spas, museums, hikes, theater, music, night life, etc.   We also provide links to the Berkshire Visitors Bureau website, the Berkshire Eagle website, the Lenox Chamber of Commerce and other resources to help our guests plan their stay. More on Theatre in the Berkshires: Berkshire Fringe, Capital Steps, Chester Theatre Company, Mac-Hayden Theatre, Mass Moca, The Theater Barn, Ventfort Hall

 For purposes of this column, I am lumping Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in the "theatre" category, although it differs greatly from Barrington Stage Company, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Shakespeare & Company and Williamstown Theatre Festival.   The latter groups all stage their own productions wheras Jacob's Pillow serves as a "host" to dozens of the most influential dance companies in the world.   On any given week between June 14th and August 24th, at least two companies will perform daily on several stages, sprinkling in lectures, demonstrations, master classes and community interaction.   For Jacob's Pillow is as concerned with dance education as it is with performance, and it stands alone as the oldest and most prestigious dance festival in the world.

Daresay any major dance organization who is not approached by Jacob's Pillow had better question its world standing.    Begun in 1933 by Ted Shawn as a retreat to train male dancers, his intent was to show that dancing could be an honorable male occupation as he strove to end stereotypes by emphasizing strong masculine roles for his dancers.   Over the years, the original buildings from this 1800s farm were converted into performance and rehearsal spaces…and that is the feel that is carried up to this day.   A visit to Jacob's Pillow is a vicseral experience that begins with the fact that it is 20 minutes from any visible civilization.   It is really you, the dancers and nature.  Even the largest venue, the Ted Shawn Theater has the option of opening doors behind the stage to reveal distant mountain views.    For a complete list of performances see www.jacobspillow.org.

One of the great things about Jacob's Pillow is that their performances occur all week, meaning you can combine a mid-week discount, a romantic getaway and Jacob's Pillow by staying at Hampton Terrace, one of the top rated Berkshire inns.   A Lenox inn since 1937, Hampton Terrace is located about 20 minutes from Jacob's Pillow, but as stated before, there are not many Berkshire bed and breakfasts within a 20 minute drive anyway.   But since you will probably combine your dance evening with several other evenings of theater and dining, you will be hard pressed to find a Berkshires lodging option more centrally located, within walking distance of Lenox's heralded restaurants and shops.

Recently having earned a Tony Award for the best regional theater in the country, Williamstown Theater Festival in 2008 is again presenting an impressive array of classic and new plays on its Main, Nikos and Center Stages, Free Theatre, Late-Night Cabaret, and readings, workshops, and other special events.  

WTF has historically wowed Berkshire audiences, and guests of Hampton Terrace, with notable names, most recently Emmy Rossum (pictured), Elizabeth Banks, Dianne Weist, Blythe Danner, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Burton, James Naughton, Jean Smart, Olympia Dukakis and Bebe Neuwirth.  This year's performances include "Beyond Therapy," "The Athiest," "She Loves Me," "Broke-ology," "Three Sisters," "The Understudy," "A Flea in Her Ear," " Not Waiving," and "Home."  

Combine a romantic getaway to one of the highest rated bed and breakfasts in Lenox by visiting Hampton Terrace and seeing a show at Williamstown Theater Festival.   Hampton Terrace is uniquely positioned compared to much Berkshire lodging, by being centrally located in Lenox.   We are just 5 minutes north of the Mass Pike…but 20 minutes from Great Barrington, 10 minutes from Stockbridge, 15 minutes from Pittsfield and about 30 minutes from Williamstown.   All Lenox shops and restaurants are less than a 2 block walk from us, and Tanglewood is one mile.  When considering a romantic b&b and a New England getaway, click here:   www.hamptonterrace.com.