S&Co. raises $110,000 for education and training programs

LENOX – A fundraiser for Shakespeare and Company not only brought in $110,000, but also a dozen or so Broadway stars as part of a benefit performance and reception.

“I am elated that Shakespeare and Company was able to host such a dazzling array of artists,” S&Co. Artistic Director Tony Simotes said. “Their commitment to their craft resulted in incredible performances full of laughter, music and inspiring passion.”

The event, Broadway in the Berkshires, raised money for the company’s education and training programs, which include the annual Fall Festival of Shakespeare, which brings the Bard’s work to area high schools for training and performances.

The program was produced and featured a couple of performances by Deborah Grausman (Master Class at S&Co., the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof), who participated in the actor training program at S&Co. herself.

“It changed my life,” Ms. Grausman said of the program.

In addition to Ms. Grausman, the other performers at the benefit were Michael Marcotte, Eleni Delopoulos, Ehren Remal, Nora Menken, Forrest McClendon, Dana Mazurowski, Peter Maurowski, Sarah Corey, David Joseph, Leah Edwards, Dimitri Pittas, Jonathan Rayson, Tonya Pinkins, Lauren Jelencovich, Brian Charles Rooney and Alec Donaldson.

In addition to performers and donors, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and State Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli (D-Lenox) were also in attendance at the event.

“It’s a validation of what we’re doing with the arts here in The Berkshires,” Rep. Pignatelli told The Beacon.

Of the $110,000 raised, $6,100 came from a live auction during the performance, including a $3,600 bid by Seven Hills Inn owners Robin Gerson-Wong and Denis Wong for a package that includes two tickets to the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots and a three-course dinner in New York City.

“[It’s] one of the best nights I’ve had in The Berkshires since we’ve been up here,” Mrs. Gerson-Wong said of the S&Co. event.

Before the performance started, guests were brought into the lobby of the Tina Packer Playhouse for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

Once the performance wrapped up, guests were treated to a dinner reception prepared by Michael Roller of Savory Harvest Catering and an after-party featuring champagne and delectable sweets from Chocolate Springs.

Posted by Catherine M. Krummey on July 11, 2013. Filed under Arts and Entertainment,Community Events,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry