PACE (Pioneer Arts Center of Easthampton) is a gem in downtown Easthampton. They have regular open-mike comedy and jam nights, jazz twice a month, music performances, a small cafe, as well as some superb shows. Their current space is small, so larger theater productions take place at the Academy of Music in Northampton.
May 1-10, PACE will bring the Tony Award-winning musical, Falsettos to the Academy of Music in Northampton, directed by PACE co-founder, David Fried-Oppenheim. PACE’s website describes the play:
Tony-Award winning William Finn/James Lapine musical about Marvin and his unconventional family and friends who plan his son’s Bar Mitzvah as Marvin’s lover, Whizzer, faces the challenges of HIV.
Falsettos originally opened off-broadway in 1992.
PACE recently purchased the old Dye Works mill on Cottage Street in Easthampton, with a view to making over the place into a regional performing arts center with a 350-seat theater, performing arts space, and retail space. I sincerely wish them the best success with this project, as it will not only be great for PACE to have a permanent home, it will also be wonderful for downtown Easthampton.
Art trivia: the late, great Keith Haring designed the poster art for Falsettos.
