Berkshire Theatre

The Berkshire Theatre Festival (BTF) season is headlined by a production of the The Who's classic rock opera "Tommy." It will be produced by BTF and staged at The Colonial Theatre from July 7-16. The season kick off musical "Tommy" has music and lyrics by Pete Townshend of The Who fame, with additional music and lyrics by bandmates John Entwistle and Keith Moon. The BTF is previewing the performance from July 7-9, with opening night officially slated for July 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets range in price from approximately $20-$50 each. The original rock opera, The Who's "Tommy" is at once a show-stopping rock concert and a cautionary tale of the power and perils of celebrity. We witness Tommy Walker from his birth, through the shocking episodes of his childhood that render him deaf, mute and blind, as he conquers the world with his stardom, and finally after the crowds have turned on him. It features legendary songs by the Who, including "Pinball Wizard," "See Me, Feel Me" and "Tommy, Can You Hear Me?" According to the BTF, "This promises to be the event of the summer in the Berkshires." In addition, the festival is producing three world premieres, classic plays by A.R. Gurney, Michael Weller and Tennessee Williams. Summer performances at the BTF conclude Aug. 31, although performances staged at the Colonial continue from Sept. 9-11, featuring the Berkshire Theatre Festival Children's Theatre Company. BTF's Children's Theatre Company comes to The Colonial Theatre for the first time with the beloved tale of Dorothy Gale going over the rainbow in "The Wizard of Oz."