This weekend: a new musical in Springfield: For Love! For Liberty! has two shows this Sunday only. You can also catch The Wizard of Oz with Amherst Community Theater opening tonight!
The next issue will include events from January 22 - February 11. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before Tuesday at midnight. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at westernmasstheatre@gmail.com
Click your heels and follow the Yellow Brick Road to UMass for Amherst Community Theater’s production of The Wizard of Oz! Join the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy on their musical journey to the Emerald City. Featuring favorite songs from the MGM film like “Over the Rainbow” and “If I only Had a Brain”, L. Frank Baum’s timeless tale continues to thrill audiences. With dazzling costumes, stunning effects, and a full orchestra, this heartwarming story of friendship and courage will remind everyone that there truly is no place like home. Nine performances at UMass Bowker Auditorium in Amherst, MA running January 15–18 and January 22–25, 2025. Tickets: amherstacts.org/buy-tickets. Questions? Email producer@amherstacts.org.
MAJESTIC THEATER UNLEASHES THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
JANUARY 15 – FEBRUARY 15
West Springfield’s Majestic Theater will present The Hound of the Baskervilles January 8 through February 15. Written by Stephen Canny and John Nicholson, the play is a fast-paced, hilarious parody of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes mystery.
The plot involves legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusty companion, Dr. Watson’s, investigation into the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, who is believed to have been killed by a supernatural hound. The comedy features three actors who play multiple roles, with plenty of physical comedy, slapstick and quick costume changes, while bringing the eerie plot to life in a high-energy romp that both spoofs and celebrates the iconic detective story.
Gina Kaufmann will direct the play. Hope Rose Kelly is stage manager, and production assistants are Elie Berman and Michael Garcia. Dawn McKay is costume designer and Dan Rist is lighting designer. Scenic designer is Dana Weintraub, and Ryan Hickey is sound designer.
The cast includes Jack Grigoli (Sir Henry, et al), Jay Sefton (Watson, et al), and Abuzar Farrukh (Holmes, et al). Understudies include Tom Dahl and Gabriel CiFuentes.
Tickets to the show range from $35-$38 and can be purchased in person at the box office, by calling (413) 747-7797, or online at https://www.majestictheater.com/hound-of-the-baskervilles. Box office hours are Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Doors to the theater will open one hour before the start of a show, which is also when the café opens. For more information, visit www.majestictheater.com
Heartbeat Theater PROOF by David Auburn
January 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 7:30pm; January 18 and 25 at 2:00pm CitySpace's Blue Room in Old Town Hall
Newly founded Heartbeat Theater announces its inaugural production: Proof, the Pulitzer Prize winning drama by David Auburn. Directed by Jason Rose-Langston, Proof opens January 16 in The Blue Room at CitySpace in Easthampton MA.
Set in the early 2000s, Proof is a commanding exploration of truth, authenticity and the fine line between brilliance and instability. Jumping between past and present, the story centers on the family of a recently deceased mathematical genius. Through moments of profound revelation, deep healing, bitter judgement and good humor, Proof examines how we reconcile grief, question the future and make peace with the legacy left behind.
https://www.heartbeattheater.org/tickets
Not In Charge: Improv Comedy Inspired By True Stories
Saturday, January 17th @7pm
Don't miss this talented group of friends in an improvised show inspired by true stories from the cast! Not In Charge is Mandy Anderson, Maddy Benjamin, Sally Ekus, Micaela Foster, Derek Luthi, Allison Reding, Julie Waggoner, Jim Young, and Kate Zak.
Springfield Community Theater of MA "For Love! For Liberty!" A Revolutionary New Musical
Jan 18 at 1:30 PM & 4:00 PM 52 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA
"For Love! For Liberty!" inspires with exciting original songs and dances that bridge centuries as history and lesser known heroes come alive on stage! Join this large cast as they bring the true story of Henry (Harry) Knox, the young Boston bookseller who, in the winter of 1775–76, hauled sixty tons of cannon over frozen lakes and mountains to save the American Revolution. At the center of his journey stands Lucy Knox, who defies her loyalist family, sacrifices her fortune, and sustains Harry’s courage with letters and cake.
Book and Lyrics by Vana Nespor Music by Clifton (Jerry) Noble
PanOpera Inc Cinderella
Jan 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM Sunday, 1/25/25 4:00 PM Northampton Center for The Arts, Flex Room, 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, MA
PanOpera is thrilled to present Pauline Viardot's charming adaptation of the classic fairytale, Cinderella. This chamber opera, performed in English with piano accompaniment, will be sure to warm your hearts. Join us for a weekend of magic, romance, and happy endings! I
In keeping with our mission to make great art accessible to all, tickets are pay-what-you-can (minimum $5 donation) with a suggested donation of $20.
Sunday January 25th, 2pm
Northampton Playwrights Lab: Flip the Script
5 playwrights, 5 mini-plays, 5 surprise endings!
A special one-time only collaboration between Happier Valley Comedy and the Northampton Playwrights Lab to raise funds for the Lab's 2026 Play by Play Festival. Featuring HVC performers Pam Victor, Scott Braidman, Maddy Benjamin
at Happier Valley Comedy, 1 Mill Valley Rd just off Route 9, in Hadley Tickets: $20 from www.happiervalley.com
Online Ticketing closes at 2pm on February 11, 2026
Tickets available at door via cash, check, or Venmo
Doors: 7:30pm
Film: 8pm
John Sheldon’s THE RED GUITAR produced by Serious Play
Film Screening of the Live Performance &
Fundraising Event for SERIOUS PLAY- Wed., Feb. 11
A virtuoso guitarist, a red Stratocaster,
a life in sound.
Now an exquisite film of the live performance.
The Red Guitar struck a perfect chord with audiences in Scotland over two August tours with many a sold-out night. With his apple red Fender Stratocaster in hand and his extraordinary talent, John Sheldon caught the attention of audiences and reviewers alike at the Edinburgh Fringe. From the first appearance of the Stratocaster in the hands of Buddy Merrell (Lawrence Welk Show) and Buddy Holly in the mid-50s paralleling the birth of the hydrogen bomb, John takes his audience on a memory stirring flight with his discoveries and musical advancements through encounters with folk music, blues, cowboy themes, and eventually rock. Crossing paths with the likes of James Taylor (neighbor and collaborator), Van Morrison (joined Van’s band at 17) and Jimi Hendrix (called John ‘a great player’), John has revealing stories to tell in this original and totally unique personal life tale. And don’t make any mistake about John’s musical prowess. He is a master of his guitar craft. He creates a whole world of sound with unbelievable technical skill, a quick inventive musical mind, and some impressive live looping as hands and feet assemble an entire sound score that can stir the musical heart of the most hardened soul.
John's ironclad belief in the power of sound pervades the whole performance, the conviction that music is not just entertainment, but a soul saving enterprise, worthy of the lifelong commitment he has made to it. His technical skill never overwhelms the story- the poignant, the humorous, the moments of connection, of illumination. The journey continues, setting a course to the center of who we truly are: vibration.
Artistic Director, Sheryl Stoodley:
I have collaborated with John on many Serious Play productions over the past 17 years. He does not merely play music, he is music. It is this rare sense of connection and assurance that drives his creative gift.
Serious Play Theatre Ensemblewww.seriousplay.org is based in Northampton, Massachusetts USA, where it was founded over 30 years ago. The company works to create a dynamic integration of theatre, movement and text, and has a history of engagement with ensemble-created scripts that are informed by contemporary issues. Productions have toured to NYC and Boston, and to Athens, London, Edinburgh and to the JoakimInterFest in Kragujevac, Serbia, where its production of the politically charged Milosevic at the Hague, won an international award for “dramatic innovation and theatrical boldness”. Serious Play is a member of NEAP, and an Artist Associate with A.P.E.
AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
APPLAUSE Auditions Book by Betty Comden & Adolph Green Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Lee Adams.
Male and Female Leads and Ensemble auditions by appointment only Sunday, January 25th and Tuesday, January 27th, Wednesday, January 28th
Easthampton Theater Company is excited to announce auditions in January for the musical Applause, book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Lee Adams. We are seeking talented and dedicated actors of a wide range of ages. All roles are available; none are precast. We strongly encourage actors of all races, ethnicities, and gender identities to audition. Applause is based on the 1950 film All About Eve and the short story on which the movie is based, Mary Orr's "The Wisdom of Eve". The story centers on aging star Margo Channing, who innocently takes a fledgling actress under her wing, unaware that the ruthless Eve is plotting to steal her career and possibly her man. The original 1970 Broadway production was nominated for ten Tony Awards and ultimately won four: the overall production won the Tony Award for Best Musical, Lauren Bacall won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, and Ron Field won both the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical and the Tony Award for Best Choreography.
The show is directed by Manuel Morales and produced by Eva Husson-Stockhamer. Our music director is Evan Kos and our choreographer is Brianna Husson-Stockhamer. Several roles in this production are open to actors of any gender identity. We encourage all performers to audition for the roles that resonate with them. We are conducting auditions by appointment only Sunday, January 25th and Tuesday, January 27th at the Easthampton Congregational Church. Performances will be held at the Williston Theater in Easthampton and are on June 5th* (invited dress,) 7th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th. The readthrough will take place in early March 2025. Rehearsals will start in earnest at the middle of March. All actors will not be called for every rehearsal. However, all actors are required to be available every day during production week, which will start on Monday, June 1st.
...for more audition information, audition form and sign-up link.
If you experience any issues accessing the audition materials (including music, PDF files, or other resources), or if you require any assistance or accommodations to participate in the audition process, please contact us at info@easthamptontheater.com. We are happy to help ensure an accessible and inclusive experience for all participants.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Tom Roché's Improv Class Mondays 6pm - 7pm & 7pm - 8pm 150 Bridge St, Springfield MA (Hope Center for the Arts)
What You’ll Learn
Foundational improv skills
Intermediate & advanced improv skills
Scene work & character building
Creative risk-taking
Group trust & ensemble strength
Performance mindset
Vulnerability & confidence through play
Price Options
Drop-in: $25
FREE for teens (13–18) from Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, and certain Hampden County areas
Tom Roche is Theatre Teacher at Hope Center for the Arts with nearly 2 decades of experience in directing, acting, theatre, improv, stand-up & sketch comedy experience
Sign Up Today! Show Up In Person or Email: RocheCTom@gmail.com
Phone: 413-326-7593 Instagram: @thetomroche
The Foundry Spontaneous Combustion
Jan 28, 2026 at 3:30 PM Wednesdays until March 11 (7 total) The Foundry, West Stockbridge MA
Spontaneous Combustion
2 Months of Improv with Tom Truss
Wednesdays 7PM-9PM (TIME SLOT FULL) *
WEDNESDAYS 3:30PM-5:30PM (AVAILABLE)*
January 28-March 11
If you’re craving connection, want to push a boundary, or are just ready to play- these improv classes are just for you. In this series of seven classes, followed by an optional performance, we’ll focus on building characters, creating stories, and saying yes to ideas and impulses. Tom Truss is a master teacher and facilitator with over 40 years experience leading groups in art making, and theater and dance improvisation. With an MFA in acting and an MFA in choreography he draws on these forms to create whimsical, heart centered and thought provoking work and classes.
CLASS TOTAL- $170 for all 7 Classes
Includes participation in Just Add Water event on March 13!
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