Weekend D |
| THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2026
Reeling in a
LUCKY CATCH
52 Sumner welcomes back Grammywinning blues musician Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram Page D2
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At right and below, Grammywinning Blues musician Christone "Kingfish" Ingram performs at XL Live in Pennsylvania on Feb. 28, 2020. Kingfish will make a return to 52 Sumner in Springfield for a concert on Sunday. (SEAN SIMMERS / SSIMMERS@ PENNLIVE. COM)
WEEKEND
THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM
Reeling in a lucky catch
52 Sumner welcomes back Grammy-winning blues musician Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
G
By Keith O’Connor
Special to The Republican
rammy Award-winning blues artist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, who headlined a fundraiser in May 2024 to support the then newly opened 52 Sumner, will return to the venue on Sunday. Showtime is 7 p.m. “We’ll be bringing new music and it is going to be great,” Kingfish told The Republican about returning to Springfield with his Hard Road Tour. “Hard Road” was released last September to critical acclaim. Kingfish wrote or co-wrote all of the songs with tracks produced by Tom Hambridge in Nashville, Patrick “GuitarBoy” Hayes in Los Angeles and Nick Goldston in Memphis, alongside different musicians at each recording session. SEE ‘KINGFISH’ , PAGE D3
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WEEKEND
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2026 | D3
‘Kingfish’
His debut album, “Kingfish,” earned a Grammy nomination and topped the CONTINUES FROM PAGE D2 Billboard Blues Chart for 91 “The rapid rush to fame was weeks. His follow-up, “662,” titled after his Mississippi a lot to absorb for this once child prodigy, and this album area code, won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues represents considerable self-reflection,” wrote Glide Album in 2022. Then came Magazine’s Jim Hynes. “Live in London,” a sold-out Bob Liddycoat of Blues Rock performance captured him abroad, earning Ingram anReview added: “This album definitely demonstrates other Grammy nomination. “It felt really great to be a growth in maturity and impressive versatility. Ingram nominated and to eventually win a Grammy. I didn’t really has been described as emknow where I could take bracing genres — funk, soul, hip-hop, pop, and jazz — and this (his artistry) and I never with this album, he seamless- thought that I would be able to get to that point. It was a ly crosses their boundaries with ease and remarkable beautiful thing ... inspiring,” Kingfish said about the recogacuity. There’s increased focus on his vocal ability but nition. there’s still plenty here for When it comes to singing those hooked on his towering the blues, Kingfish said he is a guitar wizardry.” product of his environment. “I grew up in Clarksdale, “On each of my records I try to showcase growth. And Mississippi — a city rich in there was a lot with ‘Hard blues history. We lived next door to a blues band and my Road.’ I got to LA and had different life experiences.... mom and her uncles played relationships, juggling quote instruments and sang in unquote fame, and dealing church. And I had gone to the Delta Blues Museum where with the pressures of life. Also, I very much wanted to I learned how to play from showcase the growth I had some of the best blues players in our state,” Kingfish said. musically from the range in “For me, the blues is about my voice to different guitar techniques,” Kingfish said singing the ups and downs
Now thru September 3 1477 Main Street
American blues guitarist and singer from Clarksdale, Mississippi, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, performs in concert at 52 Sumner in Springfield on May 28, 2024. (ED COHEN PHOTO)
as we go through life. A lot of people can’t talk about it, so they simply put what they are feeling into a song ... and that’s the blues,” he added. Today, Ingram’s music is a tribute to the past, filled with the unmistakable sounds of B.B. King, Albert King and Buddy Guy. What sets him apart on his musical journey, however, is his blending of funk, soul, hip-hop, pop and jazz to create a modern blues fusion. Following in the footsteps of many other artists — such as The Beatles who created Apple Record, Elton John who started The Rocket Record Company, and particularly Sam Cooke’s SAR Records in the ’60s dedicated to developing new voices in the blues genre — Kingfish recently launched Red Zero
SEE ‘KINGFISH’, PAGE D5
“There are a lot of artists in the blues world who either got a bad deal or no deal at all. Now, at this point in my career, I’m in a place where I can provide opportunities to some artists who need it.” Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram
For one night only, see a dazzling display of fireworks, enjoy the sounds of fife and drum music, singing, and so much more!
AUGUST 15
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WEEKEND
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NIGHTCLUBS & OUTINGS
Guests enjoy each other’s company at Theodores’ in Springfield. (DOUGLAS HOOK, FILE PHOTO)
THURSDAY Emmet Troxel and Eli Hull dance to the live music at the 35th annual Transformance music festival at Look Park in Northampton. (SOPHIE MARKHAM)
Dave Hayes combines music, weather for annual fundraiser
D
AVE HAYES HAS two passions: music and weather. And his upcoming gig sort of combines them both. Hayes, who is widely known as “The Weather Nut” by thousands of followers on social media, is also a highly regarded bassist who is often called upon to lay down the low-end musical tone for bands both live and in the studio. He will be doing the live portion on Aug. 18, when he will be playing bass for three bands at Northampton’s annual outdoor education benefit show, Transformance. The five-hour show is held at the Pines Theater in Look Park, so weather is a factor. Local bands imitate more famous acts according to a selected theme, and proceeds go to enrichment of arts programs in Northampton Public Schools. This year’s theme is “Moonage Daydream,” so,
Northampton Brewery: Bands on Brewster: The Fawns & Gentle Hen. 11 Brewster Court, Northampton White Lion Pridelands: Live music by local DJ & cold beer on tap. Tower Square Park, downtown Springfield. The Drake: AOS Bird Band Jam. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst Theodores’: Deana Ray and the Revolvers. 201 Worthington St., Springfield Uno Chicago Grill: Country Music. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield Lawn Party @ The Landing: Tafari — Reggae / Roots Reggae / Caribbean. The Landing at the
MassMutual Center, downtown Springfield.
FRIDAY MGM Springfield: MGM Free Music Fridays: Back in Black. 1 MGM Way, Springfield The Drake: The Band Memo with Jay Faires. 44 North Pleasant St., Amherst Theodores’: Ottomatic Slim and the Deadly Sins. 201 Worthington St., Springfield Uno Chicago Grill: Roots, Blues and Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Frank Serafino. 429 Morgan Road, West
SEE CLUBS, PAGE D9
George Lenker LIVE WIRE
Dave Hayes will combine his two passions — music and weather — when he plays Northampton’s annual outdoor benefit concert on Aug. 18.
for example, Hayes will be playing with his main band, King Radio, as they play “Guardians of the Galaxy” music. But as usual, Hayes will be playing with multiple groups. Over the past few years, this means learning the sets of
three or more bands, but he now has learned that three should be his limit. “The one year that was particularly challenging was 2023 and I was in five bands that year. I took that on and when I was in the middle of it I realized, ‘Wow, I took a big bite here.’ I didn’t really realize what I was saying yes to,” he said. “All the music was so much fun to play, but it was a lot. So in the future, it’s like three bands. That’s a good limit.”
NOW ON VIEW!
SEE LIVE WIRE, PAGE D12
The five-hour show is held at the Pines Theater in Look Park, so weather is a factor. Local bands imitate more famous acts according to a selected theme, and proceeds go to enrichment of arts programs in Northampton Public Schools.
ART • HISTORY • SCIENCE • SEUSS IN SPRINGFIELD
SpringfieldMuseums.org •
WEEKEND
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2026 | D5
AMHERST
Kimaya Diggs to play museum Western Massachusetts singersongwriter Kimaya Diggs.
SH ER IF F’ S OF FI CE TH E HA M PD EN CO UN TY NU AL IN VI TE S YO U TO OU R AN
5K
RUN WALK
STRONGER TOGETHER. SAFER TOGETHER.
The Amherst Business Improvement District and the Emily Dickinson Museum are bringing live music to the Emily Dickinson Homestead. On Friday, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Western Massachusetts artist Kimaya Diggs will perform on the Dickinson family lawn between the historic Homestead and Evergreens properties. The concert is free and open to the public. Diggs is a singer-songwriter from Western Massachusetts whose music weaves together folk, soul, jazz and R&B to explore themes of grief, resilience, love, identity and the
SEE DIGGS, PAGE D12
‘Kingfish’
OCTOBER 4, 2026
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RUN. WALK. MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Join the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office and the YWCA of Western Massachusetts for a powerful morning of community, connection, and action to support survivors and promote awareness. Every step we take brings us closer to a community free from domestic violence.
SCAN TO
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PRESENTED BY
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PR OCEEDS FR OM T HE EVENT WILL DIRECT LY BENEFIT T HE YWC A’S LIFE-SAVING PROGRAMS
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duced part of “Hard Road,” will be joining the show. He is a five-time Grammy-winCONTINUES FROM PAGE D3 ning songwriter, producer, Records with his recording of vocalist and longtime Buddy “Hard Road.” Guy drummer. Hambridge presents a “There are a lot of artists in the blues world who either high energy concert celegot a bad deal or no deal at brating the songs, stories, all. Now, at this point in my and music that helped shape career, I’m in a place where modern blues, roots rock, I can provide opportunities and rock ’n’ roll. Tickets to the Kingfish to some artists who need it,” Kingfish told The Republiconcert, available online at can. 52Sumner.com, range in Tom Hambridge, who pro- price from $50 to $125.
SUNDAY
WEEKEND
D6 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2026
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San Francisco Ballet makes WMass return Company to play Jacob’s Pillow for first time since 1956
S
By Keith O’Connor
Special to The Republican
San Francisco Ballet is playing Jacob’s Pillow in Becket for the first time since 1956 this week. Above are dancers Frances Chung and Harrison James. (LINDSEY RALLO PHOTO)
ome things “Some homecomings are are worth the overdue rather than urgent. San Francisco Ballet hasn’t wait. performed at the Pillow since The San 1956, and an entire compaFrancisco ny history has happened in the meantime,” Branislav Ballet — the nation’s Henselmann, executive longest-running director of the San Francisco Ballet, told The Republican. professional bal“Coming back now, under let company — has Tamara’s [Tamara Rojo, returned to Jacob’s SF Ballet Artistic Director] direction, felt like closing a Pillow through Sunloop — showing audiences at day for the first time the place that helped define in seven decades after American dance what San Francisco Ballet has bethe dance festival’s come.” founder, Ted Shawn, Their return begins on Wednesday for a five-day, arranged the troupe’s two-stage engagement perheralded East Coast forming different programs on the outdoor and indoor debut in 1956.
Nestled in Becket in the heart of the Berkshires, Jacob’s Pillow is a 220-acre National Historic Landmark, a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, and home to America’s longest-running international dance festival, which is celebrating its 94th season.
stages. At the indoors Ted Shawn Theatre, the company will perform pieces by Hans van Manen, Helgi Tómasson, Tamara Rojo, George Balanchine, Akram Khan, and William Forsythe. Outdoors on the Henry J. Leir Stage, pieces by Ben Stevenson, Hans van Manen, Liam Scarlett, Marius Petipa, and
Sir Frederick Ashton will be performed. “Jacob’s Pillow regularly features premiere ballet companies from the U.S. and abroad. One of the finest companies in terms of the
technical prowess of their dancers, and in terms of the adventurous programming that they do, is San Francisco Ballet,” Jacob’s Pillow Artistic Director Pamela Tatge told The Republican. “So, I’m excited for audiences to see the caliber of these dancers and the repertoire that we’ve put together for them, which I think is super exciting,” she added. The Grammy Award-winning Albany Symphony is providing live accompaniment for select works of San Francisco Ballet’s engagement in the Ted Shawn Theatre. Henselmann offered his thoughts on what Jacob’s Pillow has meant to the world of dance. “Jacob’s Pillow has spotted and nurtured some of the most important choreographers working today, long before the rest of the field caught up, and it continues to do exactly that. Very few American institutions have shaped the art form’s direction that long without losing their conviction. We’re honored to return and reintroduce SF Ballet to the Pillow’s
SEE BALLET, PAGE D7
“Some homecomings are overdue rather than urgent. San Francisco Ballet hasn’t performed at the Pillow since 1956, and an entire company history has happened in the meantime." BRANISLAV HENSELMANN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAN FRANCISCO BALLET
TUESDAY
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Tickets to all performances are now on sale. Tickets to the San Francisco Ballet start at $71.50 in the Ted Shawn Theatre, while tickets to the outdoor Henry J. Leir Stage start at $68.50. Tickets to Ephrat Asherie Dance, in the Doris Duke Theatre, begin at $61.60.
Ballet
RALLO PHOTO)
and four musicians. Ephrat Asherie Dance is committed to celebrating and bringing awareness to street and club dance culture by creating and sharing innovative performance works, teaching workshops and classes, and creating platforms for dialogue across the field. “We welcome back Ephrat Asherie, an artist for whom we have been an artistic home since they made their debut here in 2013,” Tatge was quoted in a news release announcing Festival Week 7’s lineup. Tickets to all performances are now on sale. Tickets to the San Francisco Ballet start at $71.50 in the Ted Shawn Theatre, while tickets to the outdoor Henry J. Leir Stage start at $68.50. Tickets to Ephrat Asherie Dance, in the Doris Duke Theatre, begin at in the Ted Shawn Theatre. And Also, as part of Festival Week $61.60. Jacob’s Pillow is located on 7, Ephrat Asherie Dance is we are very excited to see it performed,” Tatge said. 358 George Carter Road in performing “Shadow Cities,” a piece originally created in Workshops with the San Becket. collaboration with Grammy Francisco Ballet will also be For more information for offered on Aug. 9 at 10 a.m. for Award-winning pianist and tickets, reservations, dining $25. Tickets can be purchased composer Arturo O’Farrill. options and more, visit jacobs pillow.org. Performed by seven dancers on the Jacob’s Pillow website.
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he explained. Tatge said ticket sales have been going “really well.” CONTINUES FROM PAGE D6 “If you are interested, I would consider getting your incredible community in the Berkshires and international- tickets as soon as possible,” she said, adding that in the ly,” he said. event of rain, outdoor perforAsked how audiences should choose between the mances will be moved indoors outdoor and indoor stages, to the Ted Shawn Theatre. There will be a free PillowHenselmann responded, “If you can manage it, I recomTalk with Tamara Rojo, artismend both.” tic director of San Francisco Ballet, at 4 p.m. on Saturday “The two stages carry in Blake’s Barn. PillowTalks two different registers. The outdoor space embraces the are a curated series of engagraw energy and legacy of ing and informative discusclassical technique, showcased sions with choreographers, on a bare stage and infused writers and cultural leaders with a range of influences moderated by Pillow scholars. from Argentinian tango to Participants in Saturday’s the modern vision of Isadora PillowTalk will hear about RoDuncan. The indoor perjo’s transition from London’s formances are an excellent English National Ballet to the opportunity to experience San Francisco Ballet and hear fan favorites and a preview of what her hope and dreams are upcoming programs from our for the company, according to War Memorial Opera House Tatge. “She is really ambitious in season, including Forsythe’s terms of what she wants to ‘Blake Works,’ Akram Khan’s ‘Dust,’ and Tamara Rojo’s own accomplish. It’s really the first ‘Raymonda.’ Together they moment that our audiences will see her. She is also an showcase our company and Tamara’s vision of embracing extraordinary dancer and has both ballet’s storied legacy and choreographed one of the its contemporary visionaries,” pieces that will be performed
San Francisco Ballet is playing Jacob's Pillow in Becket for the first time since 1956 this week. At left are dancers Sasha Mukhamedov and Joshua Jack Price. (LINDSEY
WEEKEND
D8 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2026
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WHAT TO STREAM
‘Ted Lasso,’ Billie Eilish, Stray Kids, ‘You Me & Tuscany’ and ‘The Shards’
T
The Associated Press
he return of “Ted Lasso” and Billie Eilish’s immersive concert film are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time this week, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: the romcom “You, Me & Tuscany,” a new mini-album from Stray Kids and the new series based on Bret Easton Ellis’ “The Shards.”
New movies to stream this week • A family is trapped inside their home for years in the new science-fiction thriller “The Last House,” streaming Friday on Netflix. Greta Lee and Wagner Moura play parents to two children who find themselves in the mysterious predicament in the Louis Leterrier-directed movie. • James Cameron and Billie Eilish share the directing credit on the concert film “Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live),” which hits Paramount+ today. In her review, AP Music Writer Maria Sherman wrote that “While no movie can serve as the perfect replica of a transformative live music experience … (this) works an immersive magic. Every seat is the best seat in the house in these shots.” • Halle Bailey plays a professional house sitter who impulsively takes up residence in an Italian villa in the romantic comedy “You, Me & Tuscany,” streaming on Peacock starting Friday. Equal parts picturesque and improbable, the movie involves a case of mistaken identity and a lie about an engagement that gets in the way of a potentially real romance with Regé-Jean Page. Jocelyn Noveck, in her review for The Associated Press, wrote that it is “a movie as frothy and insubstantial as the foam on a nice cappuccino.”
• Colombian filmmaker Simón Mesa Soto won a prize from last year’s Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Brendan Hunt, Jason Sudeikis and Tanya Reynolds appear in season 4 of “Ted Lasso.” Regard section for “A Poet,” • Ryan Murphy has teamed about a failed writer named Oscar, that will be streaming up with “American Psycho” on Mubi on Friday. AP Film and “Less Than Zero” author Writer Jake Coyle, in his Bret Easton Ellis to adapt Ellis’ autofiction novel “The Shards” review, wrote that “while ‘A Poet’ might remind you of for FX. Set in 1981 in Los some other films — one would Angeles, it stars Igby Rigney as a privileged high school be Cord Jefferson’s ‘American senior named Bret, who finds Fiction’ — it is, like Oscar, steadfastly its own thing. himself both suspicious of and Filmed on grainy 16mm, it’s obsessed with a new student (played by Homer James Jigme even rough and dirty around the edges. … But if Soto’s film Gere). At the same time, a is loose and gritty, its satire is serial killer is targeting teens remarkably precise. This is a in the area and the kids are becoming increasingly paranoid. farce of creative life where the only pure artistic intention is The show has a roster of rising a joke.” talent including Kaia Gerber, — AP Film Writer Lindsey Halle Bailey, left, and Regé-Jean Page in a scene from "You, Me Hayes Warner and Graham Campbell. It debuts this week Bahr & Tuscany." (GIULIA PARMIGIANI / UNIVERSAL PICTURES VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS) on FX and Hulu. New music to stream Lasso” concluded its third • It’s gonna be a minute until online conversation, much • The British girl-group Prime Video is ready to release of which positioned Lenae as season on Apple TV. The contemporary R&B’s saving greats FLO have found “The Summer I Turned Pretty” lovably folksy soccer coach (played by Jason Sudeikis) led movie or Season 2 of “Off grace. But a one-hit wonder “Therapy at the Club.” At AFC Richmond to become with only a dance trend to least, that is the promise — Campus,” so it’s churning out and title — of their sophomore her name she is not. “Blue the YA shows to keep viewers No. 2 in the Premier League, Island,” her forthcoming third behind Manchester City. He album. Expect 16 tracks of swooning in the meantime. album, pushes boundaries — then resigned to return home “Sterling Point” is the latest R&B-pop bliss. If there’s any wisdom to be learned on the offering from Josh Schwartz to Kansas to spend more of genre, of expectation, of dance floor here, it is because public perception. Start with and Stephanie Savage (“The time with his son Henry. Now, the Emmy-winning their silky-smooth, three-part the pop-y “Handle,” with OC,” “Gossip Girl”), who are series resumes this week with co-showrunners alongside vocal harmonies delivered the its throwback synths, or the message. buzzy up-and-coming director Lasso returning to the U.K. dreamy duet “Reputation” with Dominic Fike. and actor Megan Park (“My • It’s hard to underscore to coach AFC Richmond’s just how massive Ravyn — AP Music Writer Maria Old Ass”). It’s about a teen new women’s team. Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, named Annie who inherits her Sherman Lenae’s 2024 single “Love Me Not” was in 2025. The grandfather’s island after his Juno Temple, Jeremy Swift New series to stream swoony song went mega-viand Brendan Hunt return with death. The drama begins this week.. • Hard to believe, but it’s ral on TikTok and became Sudeikis for this continuation of the Lasso universe. been three years since “Ted — AP Writer Alicia Rancilio the centerpiece of a lot of
WEEKEND
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CALENDAR
Nightclubs CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4
THURSDAY
Springfield
”Amchitka” by Mark St. Germain: Thu.-Sat., Chester Town Hall. Tickets range from $58 for single tickets to $30 for special event tickets. Tickets are $10 for Chester and Middlefield residents (with proof of residency). For times and tickets, visit www.chestertheatre.org. 15 Middlefield Road #16, Chester.
SATURDAY Theodores’: K. Caruso and the Elegant Vagabonds. 201 Worthington St., Springfield Uno Chicago Grill: Modern, Contemporary Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
Jacob’s Pillow presents San Francisco Ballet (Indoors): Thu. and Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Fri. and Sun., 2 p.m. San Francisco Ballet indoors in the Ted Shawn Theatre, Tickets start at $71.50. 358 George Carter Road, Becket. 413-2430745 or www.jacobspillow.org. Jacob’s Pillow presents San Francisco Ballet (Outdoors): Thu.-Sat., 5:30 p.m. San Francisco Ballet outdoors on the Henry J. Leir Stage. Rain-or-shine tickets start at $68.50. 358 George Carter Road, Becket. 413-243-0745 or www.jacobspillow.org. Jacob’s Pillow presents Ephrat Asherie Dance: Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri. and Sun, 2:30 p.m.; Sat, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Jacob’s Pillow Dance, Ephrat Asherie Dance: “Shadow Cities” in the Doris Duke Theatre. Tickets start at $61.50. 358 George Carter Road, Becket. 413-243-0745 or www.jacobspillow.org.
FRIDAY ”Amchitka” by Mark St. Germain: See Thursday listing Amherst BID 2026 Summer Concert Series: Fri., 5:30 p.m. The Emily Dickinson Museum: Homestead and Evergreens present a special concert featuring Kimaya Diggs at the Emily Dickinson Museum. 280 Main St., Amherst. 413-542-8161 or www.emily dickinsonsmuseum.org.
West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Dee Reilly. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield
SUNDAY Uno Chicago Grill: Jazz. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
MONDAY
‘I Was a Hurricane’ The world premiere of the documentary “I Was a Hurricane,” following the Amherst Regional High School 2003 ultimate frisbee varsity boys team, will be screened on Saturday, Aug. 8, on the Town Common. Everyone is welcome. The documentary was produced by independent filmmaker Lexi Jamieson Marsh and features on- and off-field footage from 2003 and present-day interviews with team members, coaches and rival teams. (SUBMITTED PHOTO) Asherie Dance: See Thursday listing
SUNDAY Jacob’s Pillow presents San Francisco Ballet (Indoors): See Thursday listing Jacob’s Pillow presents Ephrat Asherie Dance: See Thursday listing
Jacob’s Pillow presents San Francisco Ballet (Outdoors): See Thursday listing Jacob’s Pillow presents Ephrat Asherie Dance: See Thursday listing
Quadrangle
SATURDAY ”Amchitka” by Mark St. Germain: See Thursday listing Jacob’s Pillow presents San Francisco Ballet (Indoors): See Thursday listing Jacob’s Pillow presents San Francisco Ballet (Outdoors): See Thursday listing
Springfield Science Museum: Permanent exhibits include dinosaurs, African wildlife, interactive STEM labs, Earth’s ecosystems, and immersive planetarium shows. Current special exhibition: “Game On!,” through Sept. 13. Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: Permanent exhibitions include
SEE CALENDAR, PAGE D11
The Republican is not responsible for unannounced schedule changes. Listings must be received two weeks before the date of the event. Items should be mailed to: Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329, emailed to pmastriano@repub.com or submitted to masslive.com/myevent
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Uno Chicago Grill: 50% off individual deep dish pizza (dine in only). 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield
AMHERST
Sevenars Concerts presents pianist Junwen Liang: Sun., 4 p.m. Sevenars Academy. No tickets or charge, but donations welcomed at the door (suggested $20). Ireland Street at Route 112, Worthington. 413-238-5854 or www.sevenars. org.
Jacob’s Pillow presents San Francisco Ballet (Indoors): See Thursday listing
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2026 | D9
WEEKEND
D10 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2026
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LIVE THEATER
Broadway shows ‘Death of a Now off-Broadway: Salesman,’ Whoopi renewed, a drama on closing soon: Israel and a ‘Heated Rivalry’ spoof ‘Ragtime’ and more
From left, Junior LaBeija, as Gus, the theater cat, and Bryson Battle as Jellylorum, in the musical “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” at the Broadhurst Theater in New York. (SARA KRULWICH / THE NEW YORK TIMES)
C
By Laura Collins-Hughes
The New York Times
atch these Tony Award winners and nominees before the curtain comes down on them for a final time.
‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’ (Critic’s Pick) Starring André De Shields as Old Deuteronomy, this radical reinvention of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical places the action in the queer ballroom subculture, where dance dominates. It won three awards at the 2026 Tonys: for direction, by Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch; for choreography, by Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons; and for the teasing, sexy, resplendent costumes, by Qween Jean. (Through Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Broadhurst Theater.) ‘Death of a Salesman’ (Critic’s Pick) The winner of the 2026 Tony for best play revival, Arthur Miller’s classic has returned to Broadway for the third time so far this century. Nathan Lane stars as Willy
Loman, a traveling salesman whose career is on the skids and whose mind is plagued by suicidal thoughts, opposite Laurie Metcalf, who won a Tony for her performance as Linda Loman, Willy’s wife and the guardian of his flagging dignity. Christopher Abbott and Ben Ahlers play their sons, Biff and Happy. The production’s four other Tonys are for its impeccable design (Chloe Lamford’s set, Jack Knowles’ lighting, Mikaal Sulaiman’s sound) and for the direction, by Joe Mantello. (Through Sunday, Aug. 9, at the Winter Garden Theater.) ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ (Critic’s Pick) Tracee Ellis Ross stars in this life-affirming solo show that enumerates the many beauties of the world — and relies heavily on (optional) audience participation. The play is written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe, and directed by Jeremy Herrin and Macmillan. (Through Sunday, Aug. 9, at the Hudson Theater.) ‘Ragtime’ (Critic’s Pick) The 2026 Tony winner for best musical revival also landed Tonys for two of its stars: Joshua Henry and Caissie Levy, who lead Lear deBessonet’s Lincoln Center
Theater production alongside Brandon Uranowitz. Written by Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens and Terrence McNally, and based on the E.L. Doctorow novel, the show follows three families from disparate social strata chasing the American dream at the turn of the 20th century. With choreography by Ellenore Scott and a capacious cast that includes Julie Benko as Emma Goldman. (Through Aug. 16 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.) ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ (Critic’s Pick) For those to whom a Broadway show means spare-no-expense spectacle, this lavishly designed adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 movie musical has been just the ticket. (Through Aug. 30 at the Al Hirschfeld Theater.) ‘Titaníque’ After a few years merrily floating along downtown, this jukebox-musical parody of James Cameron’s “Titanic” moved to Broadway, buoyed by the songs of Celine Dion, who — in fictional, fantastical form — is also the narrator. Marla Mindelle stars as Dion alongside Jim Parsons, Deborah Cox, Frankie Grande and Constantine Rousouli. Tye Blue, who wrote the show with Mindelle and Rousouli, directs; Ellenore Scott choreographs. (Through Sept. 20 at the St. James Theater.) This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
From left, Kara Young, Kecia Lewis, Dominique Fishback, Kerry Washington and Danielle Pinnock in “The Whoopi Monologues” at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in New York. (SARA KRULWICH / THE NEW YORK TIMES)
By Thomas Floyd
entrancing enough if the performance were just a mash-up of manic mannerisms - tilted Four decades ago, Whoopi Goldberg announced herself head, hunched shoulders, as a transcendent entertainer, rolled eyes. Amid the scatembarked on her circuitous terbrained hilarity, however, EGOT path and crossed off Young also conveys profound the G on that awards quest. pathos as her character recalls The Grammy-winning work: a sobering trip to the Anne a recording of her virtuosic Frank House. Broadway debut, in which the Fishback next gets to relay budding comic foregrounded a sweet tale of self-love as the marginalized with a slew the Blonde Girl, a Black of character-hopping monochild discovering the fallalogues. cy of mainstream beauty That show’s endurance is standards. (I saw Kai Heath, reiterated in the Lincoln Center Fishback’s excellent underTheater’s inspired off-Broadstudy.) Pinnock is a riot as the way revival, billed as “The Jamaican Lady, who spins an Whoopi Monologues” and amusing — if overlong — yarn turned into a five-actor piece. about arriving stateside to The sterling thespians: “Scan- care for an older gentleman. dal” star Kerry Washington, As Lurleen, Lewis caps the “Judas and the Black Messiah” show with a soulful reflection standout Dominique Fishback, on womanhood and gendered “Ghosts” scene-stealer Dandouble standards. ielle Pinnock and Tony winners Then there’s Washington, Kara Young and Kecia Lewis. who will conclude her stint Director Whitney White Sunday and pass the torch to oversees a shrewd production Jurnee Smollett for the rest of that finds organic moments the run. As the uptalking Surfto utilize the full ensemble er Girl, Washington walks the (mostly during the show’s tightrope between rib-tickling peppy interludes). But this is caricature and gut-punching mostly a one-woman-at-acautionary tale when this time showcase, and Young seemingly frivolous confesslams a leadoff homer as sional turns tragic. the philosophizing junkie Sure, “The Whoopi SEE NOW, PAGE D11 Fontaine. Young would be The Washington Post
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Calendar
all visitors. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
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Museums
public. “Norman Rockwell’s Historic Stockbridge Studio Guided Tours,” through Nov. 8. Tour dates and times available at NRM.org/Visit. Reservations required. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge.
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more information, visit NEVA-museum.org or call 413-588-4337. $10 suggested donation.
Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum: Permanent exhibit: Guided tours of the first and second Porter-Phelps-Huntington Mufloors. Weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 Amelia Park Children’s Museseum: Guided tours through Aug. p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to um: Permanent exhibits include 4 p.m. Self-guided tours are on the spaceship, construction site, library, 30 on Sat., Sun., Mon. Tues., Wed. 1-4 p.m. During the fall, from Sept. hour with the last self-guided tour grocery store. Hours: Tue.-Tue., 9 1-Oct. 15, tours are offered Sat., Sun. weekdays at 2 p.m. Call to reserve a.m.-4 p.m. Open for groups Wed. Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum at 413-637-3206. Admission is Admission is $8 adults; $8 children and Mon. between 1-4 p.m. 130 of Springfield History: Permanent River Drive, Hadley or www.pphmu- $18 adults, $17 seniors (65+), $10 (12 months and older); $4 grandexhibits include vintage automoseum.org. students with ID, $7 children 5-17 parents/seniors (60+); and free biles, Indian motorcycles, historic and free for children 4 and younger. members/infants. Military personnel Smith College Museum of Art: firearms, Hasbro GameLand, “Light Tea Service,” Sat. through & teachers receive a 10% discount “Composing Color: Paintings by and other industrial and cultural Aug. 29, 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Tea is off the price of regular admission. 29 Alma Thomas,” from the Smithartifacts. Current special exhibiself-served from a spread tradiSouth Broad St., Westfield or www. sonian American Art Museum, tion: “Declaration of Innovation: tional varied tea offering, including ameliaparkmuseum.org. through Jan. 10. “Crafting Worlds,” Springfield’s Revolutionary Ideas,” some chilled beverage options, through Aug. 23. Exhibits at Smith Eric Carle Museum of Picture through Sept 27. accompanied by a spread of dessert Book Art: “Cooking with Eric Carle,” College are free and open tot he The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss nibbles and, of course, cucumber public. Elm Street at Bedford Terthrough Aug. 23. “Under the Cork Museum: Permanent exhibits intea sandwiches. Seating is limited race, Northampton or www.scma. Tree: The Story of Ferdinand,” clude immersive, hands-on stations to 30. To reserve your teacup, visit smith.edu. through Nov. 8. “Soul, Sound, And that explore the author’s whimsical Gildedage.org. $20, 104 Walker St., Voice: The Art of Jerry Pinkney,” The New England Visionary Artists characters and stories and childthrough Jan. 3. Included with muse- Museum: The New England Vision- Lenox. hood influences; and displays of um admission, 125 West Bay Road, ary Artists Museum in Northampton Volleyball Hall of Fame: Permanent his original studio, art, and family exhibit. Open Tues.-Sun., 11 a.m.-3 Amherst or www.carlemuseum. has five exhibition showrooms memorabilia. p.m. Closed Mon. Last admission is org. hosting N.E. artists’ work in all Visit springfieldmuseums.org Norman Rockwell Museum: Online media and is home to Anchor House 30 minutes prior to close. Admisfor more information. Admission sion is $8 adults; $5 seniors 65 and of Artists, the region’s subsidized Exhibit: “Imagining Freedom.” The (includes all 5 museums) - $27.50 for older; $5 students, active and retired studio and representation support exhibition highlights the important adults, $18 for seniors and college military; and free for children 12 and to artists living with neurodiverse role of Norman Rockwell and other students, $15 for ages 5-17, free to under. Group rates also available conditions. Hours are Wednesday artists in advancing and communichildren under 5, museum members, online, www.volleyhall.org. 444 through Saturday, 2-6 p.m., with cating these ideals, envisioned as and Springfield residents. On the regular free public receptions on the Dwight St., Holyoke. core human rights for all people. first Wed. of every month through second Friday of the month, from Windsor Historical Society: PermaThe fee for accessing “Imagining the end of 2026, admission is free for 5-8 p.m., at 518 Pleasant St. For nent exhibit. Hours: Wed.-Sat. 11 freedom” is $5 for the general American and European prints, paintings, drawings, and sculpture. Current special exhibition: “Book of Wonder, Cover to Cover: A Handson Journey with Donna Castellanos,” through Sept 6.
Now
mostly breeze by at the MCC Theater. That’s no small feat for a decades-spanning study CONTINUES FROM PAGE D10 of how the bonds among six Monologues” does lose Jewish friends, forever conthe thrill of watching its nected by a Birthright trip to playwright transform from Israel, fluctuate and fracture character to character, as in the face of sociopolitical Goldberg did. But what better flash points. way to illustrate Goldberg’s We meet these millennials influence than to take this in 2006, when they reunite kaleidoscopic commentary on in Northern Virginia days the Black female experience removed from the inciting and reimagine it for a host of voyage, its identity-shaping generation-spanning stars? influence still percolating. Spector checks back in on Running through Aug. 30 at these Washingtonians a Lincoln Center Theater, 150 West 65th St., New York. About decade later, as a certain election looms and our 30-some1 hour 40 minutes, lct.org thing characters are codifying Here’s a review of two their belief systems. more productions now on By the time we arrive in 2024 for the third act, we can off-Broadway stages: imagine what’s coming: a ‘Birthright’ friendship-testing discourse It speaks to various factors on Israel’s war in Gaza, anti-Zionism and the mean— the crackle of Jonathan Spector’s dialogue, the crisp- ing of the word “genocide” ness of Teddy Bergman’s di(with an astute indictment of rection, the relief of a second how smartphones warp such intermission — that the three- debates tacked on, for good measure). plus hours of “Birthright”
Spector has carefully curated his swath of perspectives. Eli Gelb plays Noah, a journalist with a soft spot for intellectual buzzwords and a crush on the brash politico Chaya (played by Zoë Winters). Hale Appleman’s free spirit Lev is the magnetic center of the group, while Nate Mann’s rocker Emerson starts off with the flimsiest spirituality. Molly Ranson portrays Alona, a Yale student ever more bonded to her Israeli roots, who increasingly clashes with the human powder keg Izzy (a sensational Molly Bernard). The naturalistic, overlapping dialogue that Spector wielded in the Tony-winning “Eureka Day” is back in full force here — a largely effective choice that does make the occasional on-the-nose pontification all the more jarring. For the most part, though, “Birthright” is less interested in its political talking points than the people rattling them off. Good. For the world-premiere
play’s thorny debates to draw blood, after all, we must first believe that these are humans with beating hearts. Running through Aug. 23 at MCC Theater, 511 West 52nd St., New York. About 3 hours 20 minutes, mcctheater.org.
a.m.-4 p.m. with house tours at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. General admission to the library and historic houses is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students and free to children under 12 and WHS members. 96 Palisade Ave., Windsor or www. windsorhistoricalsociety.org. Wistariahurst Museum: Permanent exhibit: Gardens and grounds open daily from dawn to dusk. Carriage House and gift shop open Mon.Fri. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For information about house tours, group tours and upcoming events, visit www. wistariahurst.org. 238 Cabot St., Holyoke. Yiddish Book Center: Permanent exhibit, “A Velt mit veltelekh: The Worlds of Jewish Culture.” The center is open to the public on Thu., Fri., Sun. and Mon. from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Shabbos (Saturday) and Jewish and legal holidays. Admission is $8 adults, $6 seniors, and free for members, students and children. 1021 West St., Amherst or www.yiddishbookcenter.org. The Republican is not responsible for unannounced schedule changes. Listings must be received two weeks before the date of the event. Items should be mailed to Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329, emailed to pmastriano@repub.com or submitted to www.masslive.com/myevent
the clandestine love story of Canadian star Shane Hollander (played here by Jimin Moon) and Russian renegade Ilya Rozanov (Jay Armstrong Johnson) into a musical theater send-up. That means we get clever riffs on “Anything Goes,” ‘Heated Rivalry: The Unau- “Waitress” and “Hamilthorized Musical Parody’ ton” on top of the inevitable double entendre lyrics, outNow let’s pivot to our underdog tale. What are the landish sex scenes, and gags odds of success, after all, for about lustful housewives and bodacious backsides. Plus, you a ripped-from-the-zeitgeist parody musical, fast-tracked might even star in a show that onstage in a few short months? recruits an audience member Better than the chances of to portray closeted heartthrob Scott Hunter at every perfora Canadian team lifting the Stanley Cup, it turns out. (For mance. And MarcAurele’s the hockey neophytes: This songs — particularly the ditty of an opening number — are hasn’t happened in decades.) Featuring a book, music and far catchier than they have any right being. For all its musical lyrics by Dylan MarcAurele, “Heated Rivalry: The Unauirreverence, the “Heated Rivalry” parody turns out to be its thorized Musical Parody” — own kind of power play. now onstage at the intimate Running through Nov. 1 at the Culture Club — is a scrappy good time. Alan Kliffer Culture Club, 530 West 27th directed the delirious romp, St., New York. About 1 hour 30 minutes, heatedrivalry which reimagines the saucy parody.com hockey romance and turns
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Although the show has been going on for 36 years, Hayes only started playing it about 14 years ago — but he has been a stalwart presence almost every year since. And serendipitously, considering his other passion, the weather has been mostly great for the outdoor show. He can recall only two years where it rained for part of the show. “I think Northampton High School is kind of the rain site, but I personally have never played there,” he said. “Or since it’s always on a Tuesday, if they think Wednesday is going to be better weather, I think they usually try to punt to Wednesday. But I’ve never seen them move to Wednesday, either.” Despite being considered one of the go-to bassists for numerous bands, Hayes actually started playing the instrument comparatively late. He didn’t take up the bass until his sophomore year at the University of Massachusetts. His roommate had a Guild bass guitar, and Hayes was instantly mesmerized by it. “I was like, ‘What is that?’ And then for some reason, I picked it up, and I just started running my fingers over it, and pretty soon, in a couple of weeks, I had learned these simple little riffs,” he said. Eventually, Hayes learned how to play the iconic bass line for Pink Floyd’s “Money.” Support and motivation from his roommate pushed
him on. “Not only was my roommate really good, he was encouraging, and another still-close friend of mine, Dave Domizi, who’s a professional bassist down in Athens, Georgia, had just moved up to the dorm, and he was like, “Dude, you need to keep doing this. You have an ear for this,’” Hayes said. Ever since then, Hayes has pursued music with ardor and intensity. But does he see any overlap between music and his other main interest, weather? “I thought about that before, and oftentimes there’s like a small part of me that kind of wishes I was like a painter or writer or something,” he said. “It’s just because I feel like I deal mainly in air. You know what I mean? Like writing these things about weather that disappear on the internet, and I’m playing notes in the air that nobody can see. “But weather can be calm and peaceful and bright, and then there’s times where it’s super stormy and chaotic and violent; music has all of those feelings too, depending on what you’re playing and how you’re playing it and how soft or expressively you’re playing.” But whatever the weather is, Hayes loves the annual show. “It’s my favorite day of the year because it’s like you know you’ll see a certain amount of your music friends at least once a year. And it’s so much fun and for such a great cause,” he said.
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