Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center (/məˈheɪwi/) is a major performance space in the town of Great Barrington, Massachusetts.[1] The theater's name comes from the indigenous Mahican term for "the place downstream" in relation to the Housatonic River.[2] The theater itself has hosted events for the Berkshire County community since it was built in 1905[3] and as the performing arts center since 2005, with offerings ranging from movies to live music, dance, drama, and comedy.

Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
Front of the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
Front of the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
Front of Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
Websitemahaiwe.org
Location14 Castle St., Great Barrington, MA
Built1905
Non-profit active2005 - present
FounderLola Jaffe

History

Construction of the Mahaiwe Block building that houses the theater began in 1904, led by architect Joseph McArthur Vance.[4] The Mahaiwe Theater first opened its doors on September 26, 1905, with the musical comedy Happyland as the main performance.[5] The theater offered silent films, vaudeville acts, big bands, and later on “talkies” in 1929.[5] Several notable figures visited the Mahaiwe in its early years, including John Philip Sousa, who performed with his band in 1912;[5] and later Pauline Kael, who frequently rented out the theater to critique movies sent for her to review.[6]

In 2002, philanthropist Lola Jaffe founded a nonprofit organization to restore and run the theater.[7] Jaffe raised and invested over $9 million with the help of a board of directors.[8] Hugh Hardy, an American architect known for reviving theaters and other public spaces, led the restoration project.[9] The theater re-opened officially as the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on May 29, 2005. The nonprofit organization is a part of the Downtown Great Barrington Cultural District.[10]

Recent performers of note since the restoration include Whoopi Goldberg,[11] Leslie Odom Jr.,[12] John Mulaney,[13] and Jane Lynch[14]

References
  1. "ArtsHub of Western Mass | Western Mass Artists & Arts Resources". www.artshubwma.org. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  2. s2mahaiwe. "History". Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  3. Eagle, Tony Dobrowolski, The Berkshire. "Executive Spotlight: Janis Martinson/Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 2022-06-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. "Our Story". Berkshire Theatre Group. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  5. Drew, Bernard (1989). The History of the Mahaiwe Theater in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Attic Revivals Press. pp. 16–21. ISBN 0-941583-15-5.
  6. Kelly, David A. (2003-10-31). "HAVENS; Weekender | Great Barrington, Mass". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
  7. "First phase of restoration complete, Mahaiwe will begin hosting various activities". www.iberkshires.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  8. Eagle, Heather Bellow, The Berkshire. "An 'unimaginable' absence: Mahaiwe founder Lola Jaffe dies at 95". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 2022-06-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. "Scott, Mackay Hugh Baillie, (1865–10 Feb. 1945), architect", Who Was Who, Oxford University Press, 2007-12-01, retrieved 2022-06-09
  10. Eagle, Kristin Palpini, The Berkshire. "State deems Great Barrington downtown a cultural district". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 2022-08-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. Garl, Mike. "Whoopi Coming To Mahaiwe". WSBS 860AM, 94.1FM. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  12. Staff, Edge (2021-10-15). "Singer-actor Leslie Odom Jr. helps The Mahaiwe celebrate its 2021 gala". The Berkshire Edge. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  13. "Comedian John Mulaney Had the Crowd at the Mahaiwe Theater's Annual Gala in Stitches". Vogue. 2019-08-12. Retrieved 2022-07-21.
  14. correspondent, Sharon Smullen, Eagle. "Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery are swingin' by the Mahaiwe to sing some Christmas tunes". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 2022-07-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

42.1943°N 73.3635°W / 42.1943; -73.3635

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