Some great performances coming this month - no delay in kicking off another year full of theatre!
The next issue will include events from January 15 - February 4. 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
MAJESTIC THEATER UNLEASHES THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
JANUARY 8 – 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
Flip the Script
Saturday, January 10th @7pm
We invite a local playwright to bring an unfinished script to the show; an original work that's never seen the stage. Then we read the character descriptions, cast the show, and launch into its first ever performance. Once we run out of lines, we drop the scripts and improvise the rest of the play while the playwright watches in delight (or horror!) Featuring experienced improvisers Mandy Anderson, Maddy Benjamin, Scott Braidman, Moe McElligott, Laura Patrick, Pam Victor, and Kate Zak. Our playwright for September is Jem O'Hara!
Jan 10, 2026 at 7:30 PM 122 Main St, Downstairs, Northampton, MA 01060
The renaissance fair has come to downtown Northampton! Imagine stepping foot into a hidden tavern within a medieval fantasy world. Its a costume party where we blur the lines between performer and guest. Whether you want to spend the night laughing with friends, play a character, explore the lore, show off your finest medieval costume, or dive into all of it at once—this night is yours.
medievalfantasytavern.com
This is an immersive theater event, character roleplay welcome. For more information visit medievalfantasytavern.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.
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
Please prepare 16-32 bars (or approx. 1 minute) of a song in the style of the show.
An accompanist will not be provided. Please bring a track on an aux cable compatible device or be prepared to sing acapella.
Also please prepare a short 1 minute comic monologue that showcases your style and a strong character.
Please expect to stay to learn a short movement combination (dance call later that day).
You are encouraged to bring your theatrical resume, but not required.
A photo and/or video may be taken at auditions.
Please be familiar with the show, schedules, character information, and requirements (available on our website). All genders and ethnicities are encouraged to audition.
Call for director: The VLO presents Fiddler on the Roof, (November, 2026)
Valley Light Opera is seeking nominations and applications for stage director for our 51st annual production, Bock, Harnick, and Stein’s "Fiddler on the Roof", to be performed November 5-8, 2026, at the Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton, presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Stage Director Description: The stage director (SD) creates the overall artistic concept of the show. The SD works closely with the musical director as well as the set and costume designers, the choreographer and technical director to carry out the concept. The stage director also rehearses principals and chorus in dialogue, acting, blocking, and dancing.
An honorarium of $1,000 will be paid at the completion of the performances.
For those interested in applying as stage director, proposals should be submitted by January 10th, 2026. Proposals should be submitted to VLO president Kathy Blaisdell at: kathy.blaisdell222@gmail.com and must include the following:
· Letter of interest and artistic concept (no more than 3 pages)
· Theater or music resume
· References Nominations are also encouraged and may be submitted to the same email address.
Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, starting immediately. Finalists may be invited to make a presentation to the VLO Board after January 10th. An electronic perusal copy may be requested by emailing kathy.blaisdell222@gmail.com.
The Valley Light Opera is a volunteer, not-for-profit organization based in Amherst, MA. Each year for over 50 years the VLO has produced fully-staged, orchestrated and lavishly costumed productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and other musical theater works. Rehearsals are typically in Hadley or Amherst, and performances at the Academy of Music in Northampton. Applicants who are unfamiliar with VLO are encouraged to explore our website at vlo.org.
Questions? Please email VLO president Kathy Blaisdell, at kathy.blaisdell222@gmail.com.
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
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
Clown I Class
1-4pm Saturday January 10th - February 28th Northampton Karate, 320 Riverside Dr Florence MA
Over the course of this 8-week intro to clown class we will investigate a series of games and exercises built to help relinquish our need to get things right, bring our bodies and imaginations to life, and reignite our appetites for pleasure and play - all in service of making people laugh!
To be clear - this not a class in which you learn how to juggle, make a balloon animal, put on some oversized shoes and head off to the big top. NO! This is a class in which you will have the opportunity to step away from your adult responsibilities and play like a kid again, to reclaim your unbridled curiosity and virtuosic delight, and to fall in love with everything that makes you YOU. Simply put, this is not a class about being funny - it’s a class about being human.
Tom Roché's Improv Class January 5th, 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
Full 8-Week Course: $180
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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