Carousel

Rodgers and Hammerstein shattered the mold for the American musical when they first produced Carousel in the spring of 1945. Adapted from Ferenc Molnar’s 1909 drama Liliom, Carousel transplants the ill-fated love story of a factory girl and a carnival barker to a small fishing village in New England. Innovative for its time, Carousel draws on operatic traditions and weaves classic numbers like “If I Loved You” and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” into one of musical theater’s first tragic tales of love and redemption.

Rodgers and Hammerstein considered Carousel their favorite collaboration, and Time magazine declared it “the best musical of the 20th century.”

Now, to open their 15th season in the Berkshires, Barrington Stage Company will present their take on the classic, directed by BSC’s own artistic director, Julianne Boyd.

Carousel currently is open for preview at Barrington Stage (30 Union St., Pittsfield, Mass), and officially opens on Sunday (June 21) at 5 PM, continuing through July 11. Tickets range from $42 to $56, and to celebrate their 15th anniversary season, BSC will offer 15 tickets for $15 for each performance. For more info, or to purchase tickets, call the Barrington Stage box office at (413) 236-8888.

Art Night in Schenectady

Time flies! We’re well into the second-year anniversary of the third-Friday “art nights” in downtown Schenectady.

What does that mean? Tomorrow (Friday) evening, you can check out the latest exhibits at the Schenectady Museum & Suites-Buche Planetarium, the Wikoff Gallery in Union College’s Nott Memorial, and the various galleries in and around Proctors. The Proctors’ offerings include paintings by Chris Averill-Green in the “Working” Gallery (440 State St.); new paintings by Alexis Mendoza, and a Union College student art show in the Fenimore Gallery; photos by Andrzej Pilarczyk and Rudy Lu in the Delack Guild Room; and works by members of the Schenectady Arts Society in Robb Alley. And don’t forget the “alternative” art spaces: SACC TV-16 studios on North Broadway, the windows of the Imperial OTB on State Street, and 106 Jay St.

Speaking of Jay Street, there will be two live stages along the pedestrian walkway, the Schenectady Pipe Band, crafts and kids’ activities, and (of course) food. And Lennon’s Irish Shop (164 Jay St.) is holding a “Best Knees in a Kilt” contest.

Art Night in Schenectady will be held at various locations around downtown from 5 to 9 PM Friday (June 19). The Art Night Trolley will run every 40 minutes between Moon & River Café (115 S. Ferry St.), City Hall, Proctors and the Schenectady Museum (Nott Terrace Heights). For a complete schedule, visit artnightschenectady.org.

River Street Festival

Troy . . . it’s, like, the new Brooklyn.

At least, we think we heard someone somewhere say that once. But, if Troy is Brooklyn, then what’s Albany—the Bronx? Jersey? We kid.

It’s exciting to watch River Street evolve into what it’s becoming, with new life returning to the historic downtown area. Maybe it’s not a cultural hub yet, but events like the River Street Festival are certainly pointing it in that direction. The sixth annual event of its kind, this year’s festival features Cracker (pictured) on the EQX Real Alternative Main Stage, as well as Mike Doughty (of Soul Coughing), Chris Barron (of the Spin Doctors), Rob Dickinson (of Catherine Wheel), and the Alternate Routes.

Be assured, there will be food, art, antiques, and stuff for the kids. Oh, and there’s a street painting contest hosted by the Arts Center of the Capital Region. The $10 entry fee gets you a set of chalk and a square of sidewalk for a chance at winning $1,000.

The River Street Festival runs from 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday (June 20). Admission is free. Call 270-4401 for more info.