Copyright berkshireeagle
It’s a live … It’s a live! … It’s a live score, performed for your listening pleasure at local theaters this Halloween weekend to go along with an old-time horror show. As we collectively conclude spooky season, area theaters are offering that vintage blend of on-screen frights and in-house music to residents in Berkshire County and beyond. Between live score screenings, thumping dance parties and masquerades with midnight movies, there are plenty of opportunities to take in some visuals and atmospheric music at nearby haunts. 'NIGHT OF THE HUNTER' The weekend’s programming starts early with a live score screening of 1955’s “Night of the Hunter,” an iconic Southern Gothic noir film featuring Robert Mitchum as a murderous wolf in sheep’s clothing, 8 p.m. Oct. 30, at the Triplex Cinema in Great Barrington. Tickets are $25. Reservations: 413-528-8886, thetriplex.org The film will feature a live score from Berkshire-based music trio Vaguely Pagan, with a lineup of Brian Kantor, Miles Lally and Wes Buckley. Creative Director Ben Elliott said the live score presentation would be the first of its kind for the theater, and possibly the first of its kind for the film — “Night of the Hunter” is not a silent movie, so the trio will be performing in conjunction with the existing score and soundtrack. Elliott said the live score will add an atmospheric layer to the orchestral backing and recurring hymns in the film. Live scores will be few and far between on Halloween night, but events at Adams Theater in Adams and Wander in Pittsfield will help to bridge the gap. From 8 p.m. to midnight, Adams Theater will host its “AV Club” Dance Party, a costumes-optional gathering featuring musical stylings from DJs in a collaboration from musician Geoffrey Carter (a.k.a DJ Jason Manatee) and projection artist Joe Wheaton, who will provide immersive visuals. Francesca Olsen, director of communications for Adams Theater, said Wheaton will be hanging from a bird cage suspended from the ceiling during the party as part of the show. The visuals won’t be “traditionally Halloween-y,” she said, as Wheaton has put together footage of people in costumes from cultures around the world with various meanings. The visuals will play concurrently with sets from DJs Glass Arrowhead, Jason Manatee, H2GO and TruSounds. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and 20 percent of the event's proceeds will go toward supporting the American Civil Liberties Union. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Reservations: 888-401-5022, adamstheater.org MASQUERADE DANCE PARTY On Depot Street in Pittsfield, a Masquerade Dance Party kicks off at 9 p.m. at Wander, with a set from DJ BFG and fire and snake-charming acts with performer Luna Faun Fire. The masquerade will be followed by a 50th anniversary screening of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” beginning at midnight; founder Jay Santangelo said the showing would be fully interactive, allowing attendees to sing and dance along to the film as they pleased. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door for the dance party. The dance party and film admission is $25, advance and $30 at the door. Reservations: wanderberkshires.com 'STRANGE JOURNEY' For interested fans who can’t make the Halloween screening, Santangelo noted that the Pittsfield coffee shop and community space is partnering with Images Cinema and Berkshire Pride for a showing, 7 p.m. Nov. 11, of “Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror,” a documentary about the making of the film. The screening will be held at Wander. Tickets are limited and offered on a sliding scale of $5 to $20. Reservations: wanderberkshires.com. 'PHANTOM OF THE OPERA' Just over the state line in Chatham, N.Y., the Crandell Theatre picks up the live score baton, 7 p.m. Nov. 1, with a 100th anniversary showing of 1925’s “Phantom of the Opera,” featuring music from organist Jeff Rapsis. This silent film features actor and co-director Lon Chaney at the height of his monstrous, otherworldly powers as the titular “Phantom,” and is considered an all-time classic of the genre. Tickets are $25; $20 for members. Reservations: 518-392-3445, crandelltheatre.org The “Phantom” showing continues a developing tradition at the theater, coming a year after musician Ben Model provided live accompaniment to the 1922 chiller “Nosferatu.” Check the Crandell’s listings for other Halloween programming, including repertory showings of “Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” “Coco,” and “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The theater’s Community Wednesdays series also kicks off 7 p.m. Oct. 29 with John Carpenter’s “Halloween,” offering a chance to see the revolutionary horror classic for just $6 a ticket. 'DER GOLEM' Finally, Close Encounters with Music kicks off its season at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center with a live score screening of 1920s “Der Golem” 4 p.m. Nov. 2. The film, about a Jewish community in 16th century Prague and the monster they summon for protection from persecution, will be shown with music from composer Betty Olivero, performed by the Avalon String Quartet and clarinetist Saerom Kim. Jonathan Yates will conduct the ensemble. The klezmer-inspired score accompanies an influential German horror film that served as a precursor for the 1931 Universal Monster Movie classic “Frankenstein,” among other works. Tickets are $35, balcony; $60, orchestra. Reservations: 413-528-0100, mahaiwe.org.
