A special benefit event honoring the Osbornes and supporting arts education across the Berkshires.
Pittsfield, MA—Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) and Artistic Director, CEO Kate Maguire announce An Enchanted Evening Celebrating Magic Tree House, a festive, fun and family-friendly spring benefit taking place on Saturday, May 23 at The Colonial Theatre. Initially offered as a special invitation event, a limited number of tickets are now available, offering the public an opportunity to take part in this celebratory evening inspired by one of the most beloved children’s book series of all time.
Inspired by the spirit of adventure and discovery at the heart of the beloved Magic Tree House series, the evening will honor Mary Pope Osborne and Will Osborne, whose stories have inspired generations of young readers and continue to be cherished by families around the world. Guests will enjoy a program featuring musical excerpts from the Magic Tree House stage adaptations, with book and lyrics by Will Osborne and Jenny Laird and music by Randy Courts, along with performances by participants in BTG’s education programs.
Set amid the beauty of the season, the evening celebrates the magic, imagination and enduring impact of the Magic Tree House series while supporting BTG PLAYS!, the organization’s year-round education initiative serving more than 10,000 students across the region. Through in-school programs, touring productions and on-stage experiences, BTG’s education work fosters creativity, confidence and a lifelong connection to the arts for young people throughout Berkshire County.
For Event Chairs Wende Carver and Linda Ruberto, the evening is both a celebration of a beloved literary world and a meaningful opportunity to support young people across the region.
“We are so excited for this Magic Tree House celebration,” said Carver. “BTG’s education program has a meaningful impact on young people’s lives, and it’s so important to raise support to ensure this work continues for our community.”
Ruberto added, “The BTG education program provides young people with opportunities to build confidence, develop new skills and grow. They are able to express themselves creatively and work toward personal goals in a supportive environment alongside their peers.”
That sense of creativity and discovery is at the heart of both the Magic Tree House stories and BTG’s approach to arts education.
“BTG’s education programs are rooted in the idea that every young person should have access to storytelling and creative expression,” said David Adkins, Artistic Director of Education & Training. “The Magic Tree House stories open the door to imagination and discovery, and this evening is a celebration of the students, families and artists who bring that spirit to life in our community.”
The evening will include honoree recognition, performances and a paddle raise in support of BTG’s theatre education programs, along with opportunities for guests to gather throughout the celebration. Ticket options include the Time Traveler experience, beginning at 5:30pm with a pre-event cocktail hour and premium seating, and the Explorer experience, beginning at 7pm with the performance and post-show reception.
Proceeds from the evening directly support BTG’s theatre education programs, providing curriculum-based learning experiences for students across Berkshire County.
Event Chairs are Wende Carver & David Carver and Linda Ruberto, with Honorary Chair Gregg Edelman.
Sponsored by Random House Children’s Books.
Tickets are limited and available through the BTG Box Office at (413) 997-4444 or berkshiretheatregroup.org.
About Berkshire Theatre Group
The Colonial Theatre, founded in 1903, and Berkshire Theatre Festival, founded in 1928, are two of the oldest cultural organizations in the Berkshires. In 2010, under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire, the two organizations merged to form Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG).
Berkshire Theatre Group’s mission is to support wide-ranging artistic exploration and acclaimed performances in theatre, dance, music and entertainment. Each year, BTG produces and presents performances to over 68,000 attendees and, through its Education Program, serves over 10,000 Berkshire County school children annually. BTG is proud to offer the only approved curriculum-based theatre educational programming of its kind in the region, integrating the arts directly into classroom learning and enriching students’ academic and creative development.
In July 2020, Berkshire Theatre Group was the first company in the United States to earn approval from Actors’ Equity Association to produce a musical (Godspell) in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2028, Berkshire Theatre Group will celebrate 100 years of theatre.
