FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Great Barrington, Mass.—The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center will present two free, Spanish-language film screenings: Mulan (1998), on Saturday, September 18 at 6 p.m., and Dedicada a mi ex (2019) on Thursday, October 21 at 6 p.m. The theater will also present three films around the year-end holidays: Psycho (1960), on Saturday, October 30 at 7 p.m., The Wizard of Oz (1939) on Friday, November 26 at 4 p.m., and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) on Friday, December 17 at 7 p.m.
“Movie screenings are a proud part of the Mahaiwe tradition, and a vital aspect of opening our doors to a broad audience, in terms of interests and affordability,” says Mahaiwe Executive Director Janis Martinson. “We are thrilled to be branching out to Spanish language films, while also bringing back some familiar favorites.”
Spanish-language screenings
Spanish-language titles were chosen by the Mahaiwe’s recently established Spanish-language Community Advisory Network. The advisory group consists of 14 members who share an interest in the arts and was formed in partnership with VIM (Volunteers in Medicine). With financial support by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, the group works to bridge the Latinx community and the Mahaiwe, inform programming, and address social barriers to the performing arts in southern Berkshire County. This is the third year of the partnership which, last year, brought free Spanish-language movies to the Mahaiwe drive-in on the campus of Simon’s Rock, to popular response.
Disney’s animated classic Mulan (rated G) will screen in Spanish on Saturday, September 18 at 6 p.m. The film follows the story of Mulan, the daughter of an aging Chinese warrior who disguises herself as a man to take her father’s place on an Imperial mission. Admission is free, but reservations are required. To reserve seats contact boxoffice@mahaiwe.org or 413-528-0100 during Box Office hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The Ecuadorian comedy film Dedicada a mi ex (rated PG-13) will screen on Thursday, October 21 at 6 p.m. In the movie, a 21-year-old named Ariel turns to music in an attempt to revive a relationship severed by a long-distance separation. Admission is free, but reservations are required. To reserve seats contact boxoffice@mahaiwe.org or 413-528-0100 during Box Office hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Mulan and Dedicada a mi ex are made possible through support from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Holiday movies
The Mahaiwe will screen Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller Psycho (rated R) on Saturday, October 30 at 7 p.m. Hitchcock broke ground with this quintessential slasher flick, pitting Anthony Perkins opposite Janet Leigh in performances filled with tension and suspense. The film is celebrated for its cinematography, direction, and boundary-pushing content. Admission is $8. Tickets must be purchased in advance at mahaiwe.org or 413-528-0100 during Box Office hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Continuing annual tradition, the Mahaiwe will screen The Wizard of Oz (rated G) the week of Thanksgiving, on Friday, November 26 at 4 p.m. In this musical classic, Dorothy (Judy Garland) follows the Yellow Brick Road of Oz to find her way home, forming friendships and learning lessons along the way. Admission is $8 and $5 for children under 12. Tickets must be purchased in advance at mahaiwe.org or 413-528-0100 during Box Office hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
It’s a Wonderful Life (PG) will screen for free on Friday, December 17 at 7 p.m. This inspiring family classic by Frank Capra, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, has become a heart-warming Mahaiwe-must every holiday season. Reserve seats at mahaiwe.org or 413-528-0100 during Box Office hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Psycho, The Wizard of Oz, and It’s a Wonderful Life screenings are sponsored by Buchwald.
Safety guidelines
The Mahaiwe welcomes patrons with touchless ticketing, a fully vaccinated staff and usher corps, Merv-13 HEPA air filtration, and bipolar needlepoint ionization for air sanitization. In turn, patrons are asked to provide proof of vaccination (or a recent negative COVID test) at the door and to wear masks at all times in the theater. For the theater’s latest safety guidelines, see mahaiwe.org/update.
About the Mahaiwe
Located in downtown Great Barrington, Mass., the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is the year-round presenter of world-class music, dance, theater, classic films, Live in HD broadcasts, and arts education programs for the southern Berkshires and neighboring regions. The intimate jewel box of a theater opened in 1905. Since 2005, the performing arts center has hosted over 1,500 events and welcomed over half a million people through its doors. More than 22,000 students from 73 different schools have benefited from the Mahaiwe’s school-time performances and residencies. For more information, see mahaiwe.org.
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