BTG’s Moonlight Sonata Gala A Celebration In Three Acts
The gala included a performance of Hershey Felder's "Beethoven: A Play with Music."
Kathy and Mark Amuso
On September 10, the Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) held its Moonlight Sonata Gala at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. The gala began with the dedication of two new spaces, the Wende and David Carver Production Center, a rehabilitated warehouse that will now serve as a production and storage facility, and the Susie and David Auerbach Rehearsal Studio, named in honor of longtime BTG supporters.
Following the opening reception, attendants were treated to a performance of Hershey Felder’s “Beethoven: A Play with Music.” The one-man show told the story of composer Ludwig von Beethoven through the memories of Dr. Gerhard von Bruening, the son of a family friend. Felder interwove monologues and performances of Beethoven’s most famous compositions including “Fur Elise,” “Pathetique Sonata,” and “Moonlight Sonata” to connect Beethoven’s ascent as a great composer with the emotional impact of his profound hearing loss. Felder concluded the performance with a question-and-answer session with the audience. In a wide-ranging conversation, Felder discussed his creative process, thoughts on various composers, and future projects, including the joking observation that, “The Berkshires, of course, is the center of the world.”
The play was followed by a champagne toast led by President of the Board of Trustees, Lee Perlman, and Artistic Director Kate Maguire. The afternoon concluded with drinks and hors d’oeuvres hosted on the Colonial Theatre Stage.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
