Calendar Listings: The Big Broadcast 12th Edition

DATELINE: January 2, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CALENDAR LISTINGS

The Jazz Ensembles of Mount Holyoke College

present

THE BIG BROADCAST!

The 12th Edition

Saturday, March 4, 2017

2PM and 7PM

Chapin Auditorium

Mount Holyoke College

Route 116

South Hadley, MA 01075

The Jazz Ensembles of Mount Holyoke College's 12th annual presentation of a live 1940’s radio broadcast created and directed by Mark Gionfriddo (onstage as “Matt Morgan”) with WWLP-22News meteorologist Brian Lapis as emcee “Fred Kelley". Under Gionfriddo’s direction, the Mount Holyoke Big Band, Vocal Jazz, and Chamber Jazz Ensembles perform well-known tunes from the swing era, including music by the Andrews Sisters, Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, and Artie Shaw, among others.

Sponsors (to date) include Mount Holyoke College, WWLP-22News & The CW Springfield, The Republican powering MassLive and El Pueblo Latino and Loomis Communities.

Tickets are general admission. $20.00 premium front and center seating. $15.00 regular seating. $10.00 seniors and students. Tickets are available at the UMASS Fine Arts Center Box Office in Amherst; at the Odyssey Bookshop, Village Commons, South Hadley; and at the door (subject to availability).  For phone orders: 413-545-2511 or 1-800-999-UMASS. Online ticket purchases will be available through the UMass Fine Arts Center.

For information on The Jazz Ensembles of Mount Holyoke College: https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/music/jazz-0

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Westfield News Group Arts Beat 12/29/16

The Westfield News Group Arts Beat 12/29/16. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Sunset Baby, Comedy of Errors light up Hartford theatres this month. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-153

Westfield News Group Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night-Time at The Bushnell

My Westfield News Group review of "The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night Time" at The Bushnell. Stunning physical production of a tale about an autistic teen's road to independence. http://thewestfieldnews.com/review-the-curious-incident-of-the-dog-in-the-night-time-at-the-bushnell

Westfielf News Group Arts Beat 12/21/16

My Westfield News Group Arts Beat 12/21/16. Outstanding Performances of 2016. Season's greetings! http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-2016-the-year-in-review-part-iii-outstanding-performances

Media Release: Gionfriddo Reading/Booksigning in Westfield, MA on January 21

“GOOD NIGHT, DEAR HART, GOOD NIGHT”, THE NEW JEANNIE AND MARK GIONFRIDDO BOOK, FEATURED AT A READING AND BOOKSIGNING ON JANUARY  21 AT BLUE UMBRELLA BOOKS IN WESTFIELD, MA

Blue Umbrella Book presents a reading and book signing of Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night, a new historical non-fiction book by Jeannie and Mark Gionfriddo, on Saturday, January 21 at 1pm at Blue Umbrella, 2 Main Street, in downtown Westfield, MA. 

When Jeannie Gionfriddo and her late husband, Roy, purchased their family home in Holyoke, MA in 1964, there was one seller’s condition: the tenant, Hart Lester Allen, in the adjoining apartment, had to have the right to live there as long as she wanted. As the Gionfriddo’s got to know Mrs. Allen, she shared her personal history.

Allen was the widow of Massachusetts Bank Commissioner, Joseph C. Allen, who investigated and brought to justice the notorious criminal Charles Ponzi, whose “Ponzi Scheme” robbed many people of their life savings. Jeannie Gionfriddo, a columnist at the Holyoke Sun, began to chronicle Allen’s story. Her son, Mark, assisted with the research. But after a draft or two, they put the book aside. When Bernie Madoff’s financial crimes made headlines, the Gionfriddo’s revised Good Night, Dear Hart Good Night, which is part backstory of a bank commissioner taking on a powerful criminal, and part love story of the woman who supported him along the way, set in Massachusetts cities and towns, including Springfield.

Mother and son, Jeannie Gionfriddo and Mark Gionfriddo, still live in the Holyoke house where Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night takes place; she in the main house, and he in the apartment, where Hart Lester Allen once resided. Jeannie Gionfriddo has authored cookbooks and wrote the Holyoke Sun’s food columns. Mark Gionfriddo is a member of the music faculty at Mount Holyoke College, creator of The Big Broadcast, a recreation of a 1940s radio show with the Jazz Ensembles at Mount Holyoke College, and a musical director at Berkshire Theatre Group, where he conducted Beauty and The Beast last summer, and was vocal coach of the 11th annual production of A Christmas Carol.

For details on Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night, visit the book’s website at, http://goodnightdearhart.com/, or visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/goodnightdearhart.

Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night

by Jeannie Gionfriddo and Mark Gionfriddo

Epigraph Books

Hardcover: 978-1-944037-34-5

Paperback: 978-1-944037-33-8.

Blue Umbrella Books is Westfield’s new independent locally owned bookstore featuring new titles, used books, and special orders. Blue Umbrella is committed to programs which highlight local authors. For information: 413-579-5383 or www.blueumbrellabooks.com.

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Westfield News Group Arts Beat 12/14/16

My Westfield News Group Arts Beat 12/14/16. Outstanding plays, musicals, and productions for 2016. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-2016-the-year-in-review-part-ii-outstanding-plays-musicals-productions

Succeeding in Small Business: Profile: Carl Bartels, Cinematographer

My profile of cinematographer Carl Bartels for Succeeding in Small Business. http://www.succeedinginsmallbusiness.com/small-business-success-35-carl-bartels-cinematographer/#.WFBSJSMrJaV

Westfield News Group Arts Beat 12/7/16. "2016 in Review Part I

My Westfield News Group Arts Beat 12/7/16. Part I of my three-part "2016 in Review". http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-152

My Succeeding in Small Business Column/ December

My take on Giving Tuesday for Succeeding in Small Business. http://www.succeedinginsmallbusiness.com/make-giving-tuesday-work-for-your-non-profit-and-annoy-donors-less/#.WEWUFiMrJaV

Review: Hartford Stage's "A Christmas Carol"

"A Christmas Carol" returns to Hartford Stage and marks the end o Bill Raymand's long-run as Scrooge. My Westfield News Group review. http://thewestfieldnews.com/review-a-christmas-carol-brings-holiday-spirits-to-hartford-stage

Westfield News Group Review: Christmas on The Rocks

My Westfield News Group review for Theaterworks' "Christmas On The Rocks', ninety minutes of hilarity with a heart. http://thewestfieldnews.com/review-christmas-on-the-rocks-at-theaterworks-2

Westfield News Group Arts Beat for 11/30/16

My Westfield News Group Arts Beat for 11/30/16. Nutcracker Suite and Spicy in Hartford. Traditional Nutcracker in Pittsfield and Springfield and more. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-151

Westfield News Group Feature: Kevin Rhodes Conducts Raymonda in Vienna

Client, The American conductor Kevin Rhodes, will conduct the Vienna State Opera's production of Rudolf Nureyev's "Raymonda", with music by Glazunov. The Westfield News Group reports: http://thewestfieldnews.com/american-conductor-kevin-rhodes-to-conduct-rudolf-nureyevs-production-of-raymonda-at-the-vienna-state-opera-ballet-december-22-through-january-8

Media Release: American Conductor Kevin Rhodes to Conduct Vienna State Opera Ballet's Raymonda

DATELINE: November 28, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMERICAN CONDUCTOR KEVIN RHODES TO CONDUCT RUDOLF NUREYEV’S PRODUCTION OF RAYMONDA AT THE VIENNA STATE OPERA BALLET DECEMBER 22 THROUGH JANUARY 8

The Massachusetts-based American conductor Kevin Rhodes will conduct the Rudolf Nureyev production of Raymonda at the Vienna State Opera Ballet, with performances on December 22, 26, 27, 30, and January 3, and 8. Rhodes returns to Vienna for his 21st season, and he will also conduct the annual Nureyev Gala at the Vienna State Opera on June 28.

Raymonda is one of Russia’s classic full-length ballets, with original choreography by Marius Petipa to music of Alexander Glazunov. It was first preented in St. Petersburg in 1898, and later was revived by the Kirov Ballet in 1948, in a production by Konstantin Sergeyev. Nureyev staged his version, inspired by the Kirov, in the West, after his flight from the Soviet Union in 1961. He choreographed a production for the Royal Ballet at the Spoleto Festival in Italy in 1964; He staged his definitive version for the Paris Opera Ballet in 1983-84, upon becoming the Ballet’s director. 

Maestro Rhodes first conducted Nureyev’s production of Raymonda in Vienna in 1997, and he has also conducted that version of the ballet in Paris.. 

Maestro Rhodes divides his time between his roles as Music Director for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts, and the Traverse Symphony in Michigan; he is celebrating his 16th season with both ensembles. He is also Principal Conductor for Boston’s Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra for his 7th season. This fall, Maestro Rhodes conducted an all-Balanchine program as part of the Paris Opera Ballet’s Homage to Violette Verdy. .A regular guest conductor at Europe’s top opera houses for over 20 years, this season he also returns to the Stuttgart Ballet to conduct Romeo and Juliet and makes his debut with the Norwegian National Ballet in Oslo, conducting Don Quixote.. 

For details on the Vienna State Opera Ballet’s production Raymonda: http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/Content.Node/home/Startseite-Content.en.php

For Kevin Rhodes’ website: http://kevinrhodesconductor.com/

For Kevin Rhodes biography: http://www.parkerartists.com/Kevin-Rhodes.html

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Westfield News Group Arts Beat 11/22/16

My Westfield News Group Arts Beat 11/21/16. Once at UMass Fine Arts Center, a new Romeo and Juliet by UMass Dance, Springfield Symphony Holiday Pops and more. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-150

Media Advisory: The Capitol Steps Post-Election Therapy Show

DATELINE: November 22, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA ADVISORY

The Mike Thornton Agency presents

THE CAPITOL STEPS:

POST-ELECTION THERAPY SHOW

Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 5PM

Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 8PM

Sanders Theatre

Memorial Hall, Harvard University

45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA.

The Capitol Steps make history in the aftershock of the “historical and hysterical” presidential election in their newly subtitled "Post-Election Therapy" Show.

The Capitol Steps have been a national institution for over 35 years, providing a unique blend of musical and political comedy and satire to audiences coast-to-coast. Each show consists of tasteful lampooning guaranteed to leave both sides of the political spectrum laughing. The troupe started in 1981. Since then, they have appeared on The Today Show, Nightline, CBS Evening News and for many years in specials for NPR. 

The Capitol Steps Post Election Therapy Show features all the recent candidates, plus Vladimir Putin, Rachel Maddow, Anthony Weiner, Pope Francis, Nancy Pelosi, “W,” and many others.

5PM Performance:  $45, $41, $35. Student discount: $5 OFF per ticket (limit of 2 tickets with student ID in advance). Student Rush: $15 at door after 3:30PM, Limited Seating available.

8PM Performance:  $43, $39, $33. Student and Senior discount: $5 OFF per ticket (limit of 2 tickets with ID in advance). Student Rush: $15 at door after 6:30PM, Limited seating available.

Tickets are on sale at the Harvard Box-Office and at the door. For details:  617-496-2222 orhttps://www.boxoffice.harvard.edu

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Note to The Press.

Capitol Steps YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/user/CapitolSteps#p/u/0/SJ70OFLagq8

Mike Thornton, The Capitol Steps performer and producer, and/or other members of The Capitol Steps may be available for interviews with the media in advance of their arrival in Boston. To schedule an interview, contact: Mark G. Auerbach at 413-427-7352 or mgauerbach@gmail.com

For Capitol Steps publicity photos: http://www.capsteps.com/live/pr06.html

For links to broadcast versions of Capitol Steps songs, and other promotional items, please email Mark G. Auerbach at mgauerbach@gmail.com. 

Review: An American in Paris at The Bushnell

My Westfield News Group review of "An American in Paris" at The Bushnell. C'est magnifique on every level. http://thewestfieldnews.com/review-an-american-in-paris-at-the-bushnell-in-hartford-cest-magnifique

Westfield News Group Arts Beat 11/16/16

My Westfield News Group Arts Beat 11/16/16. A Christmas Carol in Hartford and Pittsfield, Christmas on the Rocks at TheaterWorks, and more. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-149

Media Release / Gionfriddo Reading/Booksigning in Pittsfield, MA on December 17

Update December 16. This event has been postponed due to inclement weather forecast. We hope to reschedule this in summer.

DATELINE: November 17, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Mark G. Auerbach

Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations

mgauerbach@gmail.com

BERKSHIRE THEATRE GROUP MUSICAL DIRECTOR, MARK GIONFRIDDO, AND HIS MOTHER, JEANNIE GIONFRIDDO, AUTHOR NEW BOOK,“GOOD NIGHT, DEAR HART, GOOD NIGHT,” 

READING AND BOOK SIGNING SCHEDULED AT THE GARAGE IN PITTSFIELD, MA ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 AT 4PM

Berkshire Theatre Group presents a reading and book signing of Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night, a new historical non-fiction book by Jeannie and Mark Gionfriddo, on Saturday, December 17 at 4pm at The Garage at The Colonial Theatre. Admission to the reading and book signing is free, and books will be available for sale at the event. The event begins immediately following the 2pm matinee of A Christmas Carol.

When Jeannie Gionfriddo and her late husband, Roy, purchased their family home in Holyoke, MA in 1964, there was one seller’s condition: the tenant, Hart Lester Allen, in the adjoining apartment, had to have the right to live there as long as she wanted. As the Gionfriddo’s got to know Mrs. Allen, she shared her personal history.

Allen was the widow of Massachusetts Bank Commissioner, Joseph C. Allen, who investigated and brought to justice the notorious criminal Charles Ponzi, whose “Ponzi Scheme” robbed many people of their life savings. Jeannie Gionfriddo, a columnist at the Holyoke Sun, began to chronicle Allen’s story. Her son, Mark, assisted with the research. But after a draft or two, they put the book aside. When Bernie Madoff’s financial crimes made headlines, the Gionfriddo’s revised Good Night, Dear Hart Good Night, which is part backstory of a bank commissioner taking on a powerful criminal, and part love story of the woman who supported him along the way, set in Massachusetts cities and towns, including Springfield.

Mother and son, Jeannie Gionfriddo and Mark Gionfriddo, still live in the Holyoke house where Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night takes place; she in the main house, and he in the apartment, where Hart Lester Allen once resided. Jeannie Gionfriddo has authored cookbooks and wrote the Holyoke Sun’s food columns. Mark Gionfriddo is a member of the music faculty at Mount Holyoke College, creator of The Big Broadcast, a recreation of a 1940s radio show with the Jazz Ensembles at Mount Holyoke College, and a musical director at Berkshire Theatre Group, where he conducted Beauty and The Beast last summer, and is currently the vocal coach of the 11th annual production of A Christmas Carol.

For details on Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night, visit the book’s website at, http://goodnightdearhart.com/, or visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/goodnightdearhart.

To purchase tickets to A Christmas Carol,  contact the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street, Pittsfield by calling 413-997-4444, or online at www.berkshiretheatregroup.org. Ticket Offices are open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm or on any performance day from 10am until curtain

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Media Release: The Capitol Steps Bring Their Newly-Coined "Post Election Therapy Show" to Cambridge, MA on November 26

DATELINE: November 14, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Mark G. Auerbach

Mark G. Auerbach Public Relations

mgauerbach@gmail.com

THE CAPITOL STEPS BRING THEIR NEWLY-COINED “POST ELECTION THERAPY SHOW" TO HARVARD ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26.

The Capitol Steps make history in the aftershock of the “historical and hysterical” presidential election in their newly subtitled show: Post Election Therapy Saturday, November 26 at 5PM and 8PM at Sanders Theatre in Memorial Hall on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, MA.

The Capitol Steps have been a national institution for over 35 years, providing a unique blend of musical and political comedy and satire to audiences coast-to-coast. Each show consists of tasteful lampooning guaranteed to leave both sides of the political spectrum laughing. The troupe started in 1981. Since then, they have appeared on The Today Show, Nightline, CBS Evening News and for many years in specials for NPR. 

Mike Thornton who plays Trump, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, George “W” Bush, and compresses the craziness that was the 2016 Presidential Election into a 10 minute “spoonerism," says: “All bets went out the window. We are now taking on the formidable comedic task of lightening up a multitude of distraught Capitol Steps fans. The response has been profound and wonderful.”

Thornton recounts scores of audience members approaching the performers after recent shows in Rockport MA, Maine and New Hampshire and thanking them for elevating their spirits to the point of “much needed” raucous laughter. Thornton says that The Capitol Steps' cast and writing team have been working non-stop since the election to add fresh new material to the show. 

“The good folks up at the Stone Mountain Arts Center gave me the idea of “Post Election Therapy” at our recent performance in Brownfield Maine.  “A Once In A Lifetime Election Show – Post Election Therapy” is just too long, so I’m simply using the Post Election Therapy Show for short," Thornton says.  

The Capitol Steps Post Election Therapy Show features all the recent candidates, plus Vladimir Putin, Rachel Maddow, Anthony Weiner, Pope Francis, Nancy Pelosi, “W,” and many others.

Tickets for both performances by The Capitol Steps are available at the Harvard Box-Office. Advance student discounts are on sale, subject to availability for both performances, and advance senior discounts, also subject to availability, are offered for the 8PM performance. Student rush tickets may be available at the door for both performances. For details:  617-496-2222 or https://www.boxoffice.harvard.edu

To preview some of the Capitol Steps materials, visit their website, www.capsteps.com, or find The Capitol Steps on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter (@capsteps)

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Westfield News Group Arts Beat 11/9/16

My Westfield News Group ArtsBeat for 11/9/16. Made in the Berkshires; Capitol Steps in Cambridge; a new Gionfriddo book and more. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-148

My Succeeding in Small Business Profile: Thomas Parker

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My Pioneer Valley Radio Interview

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http://pioneervalleyradio.com/2016/11/04/radio-show-65-pr-executive-mark-g-auerbach-interviewed-by-michael-harrison/

Westfield News Group Arts Beat 11/2/16

My Westfield News Group Arts Beat 11/2/16. "An American in Paris" is Bushnell-bound. Berkshire Theatre Awards and more. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-147

Take Magazine: My Chasing Rainbows Review

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Westfield News Group Review: "Relativity"

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Westfield News Group Arts Beat 1O/26/16

My Westfield News Group Arts Beat for 1O/26/16. Lots of music for late autumn. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-146

My Westfield News Group Review: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder at The Bushnell

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Media Release: The Capitol Steps Return to Boston November 26

THE CAPITOL STEPS BRING “A ONCE IN A LIFETIME ELECTION SHOW” TO HARVARD ON NOVEMBER 26.

The Capitol Steps recap the 2016 presidential campaigns and their leading players Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in their new production, A Once in a Lifetime Election Show, which they’ll present at their annual Greater Boston Thanksgiving Weekend performances on Saturday, November 26 at 5PM and 8PM at Sanders Theatre in Memorial Hall on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, MA.

The Capitol Steps have been a national institution for over 35 years, providing a unique blend of musical and political comedy and satire to audiences coast-to-coast.. Each show consists of tasteful lampooning guaranteed to leave both sides of the political spectrum laughing. The troupe started in 1981. Since then, they have appeared on The Today Show, Nightline, CBS Evening News and for many years in specials for NPR. 

According to The Capitol Steps co-founder Elaina Newport, “This election cycle has provided more material than all the other elections combined – and we’ve been around 35 years. It’s the equivalent of Anthony Weiner tweeting his underwear every day!   Things have been happening so fast, we’ve had to resort to texting joke updates to performers as they wait backstage to go on”.

Mike Thornton of the Mike Thornton Agency, who is producing the Cambridge performances, also performs with The Capitol Steps, and says the last few months have been filled with constant rehearsals and new material added almost nightly. “It's almost impossible to stay ahead of the buffoonery. One constantly relies on daily news for new snipppets”, says Thornton.

In A Once in a Lifetime Election Show, The Capitol Steps promise to put the "MOCK" in Democracy to showcase the craziest election you've ever seen.  If you've ever wanted to see Hillary Clinton belt a show tune, Donald Trump massacre a rock song, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shuffle-off a soft shoe, this might just be the show for you! Their supporting cast may include Anthony Weiner, and Pope Francis.

Tickets for both performances by The Capitol Steps are available at the Harvard Box-Office. Advance student discounts are on sale, subject to availability for both performances, and advance senior discounts, also subject to availability, are offered for the 8PM performance. Student rush tickets may be available at the door for both performances. For details:  617-496-2222 or https://www.boxoffice.harvard.edu

To preview some of the Capitol Steps materials, visit their website, www.capsteps.com, or find The Capitol Steps on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter (@capsteps)

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Westfield News Group Review: The Piano Lesson at Hartford Stage

My Westfield News Group Review: The Piano Lesson at Hartford Stage

http://thewestfieldnews.com/review-the-piano-lesson-at-hartford-stage

Succeeding in Small Business Article: October

My Succeeding in Small Business Article for October. In-Kind donations can mean a lot to a non-profit. http://www.succeedinginsmallbusiness.com/make-in-kind-donations-part-of-your-small-businesss-charitable-giving/#.WAdmIiMrJaV

Westfield News Group Arts Beat 1O/19/16

My Westfield News Group Arts Beat 1O/19/16. From "War of The Worlds" to the Warsaw Philharmonic, there's plenty happening on area stages. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-145

Media Release: New Gionfriddo Book "Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night"

“GOOD NIGHT, DEAR HART, GOOD NIGHT”, THE NEW JEANNIE AND MARK GIONFRIDDO BOOK, PREMIERES ON NOVEMBER 16 AT A READING AND BOOKSIGNING AT THE ODYSSEY BOOKSHOP IN SOUTH HADLEY, MA

Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night: the new historical non-fiction book by Jeannie and Mark Gionfriddo, will be released on the Epigraph imprint at a reading and booksigning at The Odyssey Book Shop, 9 College Street, South Hadley, MA on Wednesday, November 16 at 7PM.

When Jeannie Gionfriddo and her late husband Roy purchased their family home in Holyoke, MA in 1964, there was one seller’s condition: the tenant, Hart Lester Allen, in the adjoining apartment, had to have the right to live there as long as she wanted. As the Gionfriddos got to know Mrs. Allen, she shared her personal history.

Allen was the widow of Massachusetts Bank Commissioner Joseph C. Allen, who investigated and brought to justice the notorious criminal Charles Ponzi, whose “Ponzi Scheme” robbed many people of their life savings. Jeannie Gionfriddo, a columnist at the Holyoke Sun, began to chronicle Allen’s story. Her son, Mark, assisted with the research. But after a draft or two, they put the book aside. When Bernie Madoff’s financial crimes made headlines, the Gionfriddos revised Good Night Dear Hart Good Night, which is part back story of a bank commissioner taking on a powerful criminal, and part love story of the woman who supported him along the way, set in Western Massachusetts cities and towns including Holyoke and Springfield.

Mother and son Jeannie Gionfriddo and Mark Gionfriddo still live in the Holyoke house where Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night takes place; she in the main house, and he in the apartment, where Hart Lester Allen once resided. Jeannie Gionfriddo has authored cook books and wrote the Holyoke Sun’s food columns. Mark Gionfriddo is a member of the music faculty at Mount Holyoke College, creator of The Big Broadcast, a recreation of a 1940’s radio show with the Jazz Ensembles at Mount Holyoke College, and a music director at The Berkshire Theatre Group, where he recently conducted Beauty and The Beast..

Copies of Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night will be on sale at The Odyssey Book Shop in The Village Commons in South Hadley, MA. For details on the Gionfriddo book, visit www.markgionfriddo.com or visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/goodnightdearhart.

Good Night, Dear Hart, Good Night

by Jeannie Gionfriddo and Mark Gionfriddo

Epigraph Books

Hardcover: 978-1-944037-34-5

Paperback: 978-1-944037-33-8.

My Latest for Succeeding in Small Business: The Ballet Glider by KAS

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Westfield News Group Arts Beat 1O/12/16

My Westfield News Group Arts Beat 1O/12/16. Cats in hats in Springfield, jazz in Pittsfield, and a Broadway hit returns home to Hartford. http://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-144

Media Release: Berkshire Theatre Awards

I'm really honored to have been asked to be a nominator and a voter for the first Berkshire Theatre Awards. I'm among a select group of theatre and arts reporters in Western New England and Mew York to be asked. There are three of us who are based in the Pioneer Valley. I'm so honored that my work with the Westfield News Group is acknowledged, and even more thrilled that The Westfield News Group and its President Patrick Berry support the creative industries here in the region.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Berkshire Theatre Awards Program Announces Nominees

Berkshire County, MA [October 11, 2016] – In the last twelve months, more than 300,000 people attended a live theatre production in or around Berkshire County. With 75 stage productions employing hundreds of professionals, making theatre is an important cog in the area’s cultural economy. In fact, many consider the region a hot spot for Broadway bound shows, and a popular summer destination for theatre-goers from around the nation.The region’s theatre critics have joined together to create a new Berkshire Theatre Awards program to recognize the importance of their work.

The group announced today more than 120 nominations from which 25 winners will be selected. Participating in the Awards program are twenty arts journalists who will cast their final votes in the coming days, with the winners to be announced by the end of October. The project was organized by Larry Murray, and a working committee which includes Peter Bergman, Robert Bruyr, Gail M. Burns, Macey Levin, Gloria Miller, and Ed Sedarbaum. 

“Thanks to its exceptional resident theatre companies, the Berkshires have sent more than a dozen shows to Broadway in the past few years, while attracting the best people in show business to our region,” says Larry Murray. “Writers and composers like Theresa Rebeck (Seared, Seminar, Bad Dates, Mauritius) and William Finn (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Falsettos) have homes in the area where they create the drama and music we get to see on our stages before anyone else, while directors like John Rando (On the Town) and Scott Ellis (The Elephant Man) have successfully transferred the innovative work they first created here to Broadway.

There is a special Larry Murray Award, to be given to a person or theatre project that advances social, political or community issues. Receiving one of the nominations are the three Vermont theatre companies that teamed up to produce all three plays in Alan Ayckbourn’s The Norman Conquests last summer – the Dorset Theatre Festival, Northern Stage Company, and the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company – while Kristen van Ginhoven, Co-founder and Artistic Director of WAM Theatre, and Julianne Boyd Artistic Director of Barrington Stage, are the other two contenders for this inaugural special award.

Seven shows received more than five nominations each including 11 for The Pirates of Penzanceand eight for Broadway Bounty Hunter, both produced by Barrington Stage Company. Seven nominations were received for Or, and six for The Merchant of Venice at Shakespeare & Company. Also popular with five nominations each are The Rose Tattoo (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Little Shop of Horrors (Berkshire Theatre Group), and American Son (Barrington Stage).

Here are the categories and nominations:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outstanding Production of a Play - Large Theater:

     All My Sons (Weston Playhouse Theatre Company)

     American Son (Barrington Stage Company)

     Cat On a Hot Tin Roof (Berkshire Theatre Group

     Or, (Shakespeare & Company)

     The Rose Tattoo (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

     Tribes (Barrington Stage Company) 

Outstanding Production of a Play - Intimate Theatre:

     The Consul, The Tramp, and America's Sweetheart (Oldcastle Theatre Company)

     Constellations (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Cost of Living (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

     Cry Havoc (Shakespeare & Company)

     The Homecoming (Berkshire Theatre Group) 

Outstanding Production of a Musical - Large Theatre:

     Little Shop of Horrors (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Mamma Mia (Weston Playhouse Theatre Company)

     The Pirates of Penzance (Barrington Stage Company) 

Outstanding Production of a Musical - Intimate Theatre:

      Big River (Oldcastle Theatre Company)

      Broadway Bounty Hunter (Barrington Stage Company)

      Fiorello (Berkshire Theatre Group)

      Sister Act (Mac-Haydn Theatre) 

Outstanding Production of a New Play:

     American Son (Barrington Stage Company)

     And No More Shall We Part (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

     The Consul, The Tramp, and America's Sweetheart (Oldcastle Theatre Company)

     Cost of Living (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

      My Jane (Chester Theater Company)

     Or, (Shakespeare & Company)

     The Stone Witch (Berkshire Theatre Group) 

Outstanding Production of a New Musical:

     Broadway Bounty Hunter (Barrington Stage Company)

     Presto Change-O (Barrington Stage Company) 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor - Large Theatre:

     Christopher Abbott in The Rose Tattoo (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

     Joshua Castille in Tribes (Barrington Stage Company)

     Jonathan Epstein in The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare & Company)

     John Hadden in The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare & Company)

     Michael Hayden in American Son (Barrington Stage Company)

     Will Swenson in The Pirates of Penzance (Barrington Stage Company) 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor - Intimate Theatre:

     Joey Collins in The Homecoming (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     David Joseph in The Consul, The Tramp, and America's Sweetheart (Oldcastle Theatre Company)

     Alfred Molina in And No More Shall We Part (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

     Wendell Pierce in Cost of Living (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

     Stephan Wolfert in Cry Havoc (Shakespeare & Company) 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor - Large Theatre:

     Marinda Anderson in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill (Dorset Theatre Festival)

     Rebecca Brooksher in Cat On a Hot Tin Roof (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Tod Randolph in Or, (Shakespeare & Company)

     Molly Regan in All My Sons (Weston Playhouse Theatre Company)

     Marisa Tomei in The Rose Tattoo (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

     Tamara Tunie in American Son (Barrington Stage Company) 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor - Intimate Theatre:

     Kate Baldwin in Constellations (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Tara Franklin in Sister Play (Chester Theatre Company)

     Annie Golden in Broadway Bounty Hunter (Barrington Stage Company)

     Jane Kaczmarek in And No More Shall We Part (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

     Maddie Jo Landers in The Taming (Shakespeare & Company)

     Christiana Nelson in Ugly Lies The Bone (Shakespeare & Company)

     Debra Jo Rupp in Kimberly Akimbo (Barrington Stage Company) 

Outstanding Supporting Performance by a Male Actor - Large Theatre:

     David Adkins in Cat On a Hot Tin Roof (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Alex Gibson in The Pirates of Penzance (Barrington Stage Company)

     John Hadden in The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare & Company)

     Andre Ware in American Son (Barrington Stage Company)

Outstanding Supporting Performance by a Male Actor - Intimate Theatre:

    Carson Elrod in The Chinese Room (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

     Jeff McCarthy in Broadway Bounty Hunter (Barrington Stage Company)

     Rylan Morsbach in The Homecoming (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Scott Wattanabe in Broadway Bounty Hunter (Barrington Stage Company)

     Lenny Wolpe in Presto Change-O (Barrington Stage Company) 

Outstanding Supporting Performance by a Female Actor - Large Theatre:

    Kate Abbruzzese in The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare & Company)

    Jane Carr in The Pirates of Penzance (Barrington Stage Company)

    Nehassiu De Gannes in Or, (Shakespeare & Company)

    Deborah Rush in An American Daughter (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

    Scarlett Strallen in The Pirates of Penzance (Barrington Stage Company) 

Outstanding Supporting Performance by a Female Actor - Intimate Theatre:

     Jenni Barber in Presto Change-O (Barrington Stage Company)

     Chelsea Doren in Fiorello (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Dana Harrison in Holy Laughter (WAM Theatre)

     Sue Jean Kim in The Chinese Room (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

     Katy Sullivan in Cost of Living (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

 Outstanding Direction of a Play - Large Theatre:

     Julianne Boyd for American Son (Barrington Stage Company)

     Jonathan Croy for The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare & Company)

     Trip Cullman for The Rose Tattoo (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

     Tina Packer for The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare & Company)

     Mary B. Robinson for All My Sons (Weston Playhouse Theatre Company)

     Alice Reagan for Or, (Shakespeare & Company)

     Jenn Thompson for Tribes (Barrington Stage Company)

     Evan Yianoulis for Table Manners (Dorset Theatre Festival) 

Outstanding Direction of a Play - Intimate Theatre:

     Jo Bonney for Cost of Living (Williamstown Theatre Festival)

     Gregg Edelman for Constellations (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Eric Hill for The Homecoming (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Louisa Proske for Peerless (Barrington Stage Company)

     Eric Tucker for Cry Havoc (Shakespeare & Company) 

Outstanding Direction of a Musical - Large Theatre:

     Tim Fort for Man of La Mancha (Weston Playhouse Theatre Company)

     Ethan Heard for Little Shop of Horrors (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     John Rando for The Pirates of Penzance (Barrington Stage Company) 

Outstanding Direction of a Musical - Intimate Theatre:

     Julianne Boyd for Broadway Bounty Hunter (Barrington Stage Company)

     Tim Howard for Big River (Oldcastle Theatre Company)

     John Saunders for Chicago (Mac-Haydn Theatre)

     Steve Stettler for Murder for Two (Weston Playhouse Theatre Company) 

Outstanding Choreography - Large Theatre:

     Joshua Bergasse for The Pirates of Penzance (Barrington Stage Company)

     Parker Esse for Little Shop of Horrors (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Michael Raine for Mamma Mia (Weston Playhouse Theatre Company) 

Outstanding Choreography - Intimate Theatre:

     Maddie Apple for Sister Act (Mac-Haydn Theatre)

     Michael Callahan for Fiorello (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Jeffrey Page for Broadway Bounty Hunter (Barrington Stage Company)

     Jenna Ware for The Emperor of The Moon (Shakespeare & Company) 

Outstanding Scenic Design for Play or Musical:

     David L. Arsenault for The Norman Conquests (Dorset, Weston, and Northern Stage)

     Beowulf Borritt for The Pirates of Penzance (Barrington Stage Company)

     Yael Pardess for The Stone Witch (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Carl Sprague for Fiorello (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Reid Thompson for Little Shop of Horrors (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Mark Wendland for The Rose Tattoo (Williamstown Theatre Festival) 

Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play or Musical:

     Shawn E. Boyle for The Stone Witch (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Lara Dubin for The Mountaintop (Chester Theatre Company)

     Alan C. Edwards for Constellations (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Michael Giannetti for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill (Dorset Theatre Festival)

     Jason Lyons for The Pirates of Penzance (Barrington Stage Company)

     Matthew Miller for The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare & Company) 

Best Costume Design for a Play or Musical:

     Jess Goldstein for The Pirates of Penzance (Barrington Stage Company)

     Jimm Halliday for Into The Woods (Mac-Haydn Theatre)

     Tyler Kinney for The Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare & Company)

     Govane Lohbauer for Or, (Shakespeare & Company)

     David Murin for Little Shop of Horrors (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Bobby Frederick Tilley for Broadway Bounty Hunter (Barrington Stage Company) 

Outstanding Sound Design for Play or Musical:

     Toby Aliya for Tribes (Barrington Stage Company)

     Amy Altadonna for Or, & Ugly Lies The Bone (Shakespeare & Company)

     Ed Chapman for Mamma Mia (Weston Playhouse Theatre Company)

     Scott Killian for Constellations (Berkshire Theatre Group)

     Rider Q. Stanton for The Addams Family (Mac-Haydn Theatre)

     Corey Wheat for The 39 Steps (Oldcastle Theatre Company)

Larry Murray Award:

     1. Julianne Boyd, Barrington Stage Company, for her issue-related programming and community outreach.

     2. Kristen van Ginhoven, WAM Theatre, for combining meaningful theatre with charitable support of women's causes.

      3. The Producing Directors of the Dorset Theatre Festival, Weston Playhouse Theatre Company, and Northern Stage for their collaborative co-production of the three plays comprising 

 The Norman Conquests.

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