Barrington Stage Company has announced its full 2024 season, its 30th. In addition to the previously announced musicals “La Cage Aux Folles” and “Next to Normal,” the mainstage season includes Marc Camoletti’s comedy classic “Boeing Boeing,” staged by Julianne Boyd with Mark H. Dold, Christopher Innvar and Debra Jo Rupp. The St. Germain season includes the regional premiere of Ben Powers’ “A Tender Thing,” directed by Alan Paul; the world premiere of Mark St. Germain’s “Forgiveness,” and Eboni Booth’s “Primary Trust.” For details: www.barringtonstageco.org.
Jacob’s Pillow has announced its 2024 season, and ballet takes center stage. The zany Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo opens the season, followed by the Royal Ballet of the United Kingdom, the Ballet du Grand Theatre de Geneve, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Modern dance enthusiasts can enjoy the Social Tango Project, MOMIX, Camille A. Brown & Dancers, Parsons Dance, and Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca. For dates, times, and other details: www.jacobspillow.org.
Berkshire Opera Festival will present Gounod’s “Faust” this summer at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, on Aug. 24, 27 and 30. Brian Garman will conduct, and Jonathon Loy will direct. It’s the classic story of a man who sells his soul to the devil for eternal youth. The company will also present the first act of a new opera, “The Reef,” by Anthony Davis, on April 10 in New York. “The Reef” is adapted from Edith Wharton’s novel by Joan Ross Sorkin. For details: www.berkshireoperafestival.org.
WAM Theatre announces its 2024 season, its first under the helm of new Artistic Director Renée Coreno. The season begins with a Fresh Takes Play Reading, Deborah Zoe Laufer’s “Be Here Now,” on March 10 at The Foundry in West Stockbridge. “Far, Far Better Things” by Geetha Reddy plays The Foundry on April 7 (and streamed April 13-14). WAM’s 15th annual benefit performance will be at The Mount in Lenox on Aug. 18, and the company’s mainstage production, Jessica Dickey’s “Galileo’s Daughter,” will run Oct. 18 through Nov. 3 at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox. For details: www.wamtheatre.com.
“Fantasias,” a collection of composers’ fantasies, will be performed by the Springfield Symphony Orchestra on March 9 at 2:30 p.m. The SSO is experimenting with matinees this season. Adam Kerry Boyles, who conducts the Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s Talcott Mountain series, is on the podium, with pianist Quynh Nguyen, the Springfield Symphony Chorus, and the UMass Amherst Chorale. Experience fantasies by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Lili Boulanger, Paul Chihari, Gabriel Faure, Randall Thompson and Beethoven. For details: www.springfieldsymphony.org.
Itzhak Perlman, violinist extraordinaire, performs in recital at The Bushnell on March 16. For details: www.bushnell.org.
“The Brass Menagerie” is the theme of this season’s performances by the Holyoke Civic Symphony, highlighting the main four brass instruments in an orchestra. HCS’s March 10 concert at Holyoke Community College is “Tea and Trumpets.” The concert, conducted by David Kidwell, welcomes Sheldon Ross as trumpet guest soloist performing in Vincent Persichetti’s “The Hollow Men.” For details: www.holyokecivicsymphony.org.
“Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” comes to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra for two performances on May 4 at Symphony Hall. The program features music from the Looney Tunes catalogue, with the cartoons projected as the SSO accompanies them. George Daugherty, who created the production, conducts. For details: www.springfieldsymphony.org.
“Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical,” Playhouse on Park’s touring show, will be performed at the West Hartford Jewish Community Center on March 17. Then, the show hits the road. For details: www.playhouseonpark.org.
Mark G. Auerbach studied theater at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He has worked for arts organizations nationwide and reported on the arts for print and broadcast. Mark produces and hosts “ArtsBeat,” “Athenaeum Spotlight” and “On the Mark” for WCPC, Channel 15 in Westfield, and WSKB 89.5 FM. His “Arts Beat” column appears Mondays in The Westfield News. He’s a regular contributor to Pioneer Valley Radio and a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association.