News In Revue Bringing Their Talents to Pittsfield

By Jen Thomas
02:45PM / Monday, April 23, 2007

News In Revue actor and co-director Jay Falzone, left, shares a laugh with Pittsfield Mayor James M. Ruberto this morning. [Photo by Jen Thomas]

Pittsfield – The Emmy award-winning performance troupe "News in Revue" announced a move to the city with a little song, a little dance, and a little peek at the troupe's talents.

Several group members broke in their new "Mountainside Playhouse at Bousquet" home this morning with a rollicking preview of their satirical style. The new theater is at 101 Dan Fox Drive.

"It's intelligent political satire," said Mayor James M. Ruberto during welcoming remarks.

The troupe specializes in musical performances, focusing on comedy and commentary based on current events. Until the move to the new 160-seat theater at the Pittsfield/Lenox border, the troupe performed for seven years at the Cranwell Resort in Lenox. "News In Revue" has earned five Emmys for a series of PBS television specials. The troupe's performances are known for razor-sharp satire and spoofs focused on current news events and the people who shape those events.

"When it comes to spoofing politicians, no one is safe," said Ruberto.

News In Revue creator and writer Nancy Holson [Photo by Jen Thomas]

Then, things at the morning media conference got very interesting.

A Mini-Performance

Jay Falzone, director and cast member of News in Revue, intervened and stopped Ruberto's remarks mid-sentence.

"Mayor James M. Ruberto Jr." abruptly took control of the podium and relayed Pittsfield’s great joy in welcoming the newest cultural venue to the city.

Breaking into song, the impersonator enthusiastically lampooned the mayor.

"It’s a great day for Pittsfield!" he sang. "Every statistic says we’re artistic. You won’t find that in Maine!"

Adopting a tentative slogan for the city – "Pittsfield: The Birthplace of Art" – "Ruberto Jr." declared, "We're feisty and pretty – the best darn city in the Northeast."

"And it's all thanks to me!" he proudly proclaimed.

The Transformation

"News In Revue" creator and writer Nancy Holson spoke about the troupe and the theater.

"What right now looks deceptively like a ski resort will transforms into a theater," said Holson following Ruberto's remarks and Falzone's performance. "At Bousquet, we want to create a country mountain experience that visitors would really enjoy. We're about to begin a very wonderful partnership."

Beginning June 30, a cast of four actors will assume the traits of between 20 and 25 recognizable characters in a 90-minute show every evening except Wednesday. The performances will conclude on Sept. 2.

"The show always changes as the news changes," said Holson. "From the beginning of the season to the end of the season, the show may be substantially different."

Termed "a delight" by The New York Times, this year’s all-new show is chock full of comedy and commentary torn from recent headlines. Holson is the writer/director of the Off-Broadway hit musical "Bush Wars." The show is co-directed and choreographed by Falzone, who also worked with Holson on "Bush Wars," which was described as "Broad, roaring entertainment reminiscent of National Lampoon!" by The New York Times.

Created in 1992, the News In Revue has performed continuously in various cities throughout the country.

General admission for revue shows at Bousquet's Mountainside Playhouse is $40. A pre-sunset barbecue dinner will be available for an additional $15. Dinners are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and the performances are slated to begin at 8:30 p.m.. The buffet meal menu includes burgers, chicken, potato salad, baked beans, and mesclun salad. Wine, beer, coffee and dessert will be served just before the performances commence.

Tickets may be bought on-line at a www.newsinrevue.com Internet web site or by calling 866-811-4111 or The Mountainside Playhouse Box Office at 413-442-8316 [after June 20].Group rates may be arranged by calling 212-228-5245.

Jen Thomas is a senior at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and an iberkshires.com correspondent.