Weekend - August 6, 2020

For the most up-to-date listing of events, go online to masslive.com/entertainment

Weekend

OFF THE MENU: All that off-site dining means lots of throwaway containers, E8 BEERNUT: Mustard beer on tap from Oskar Blues Brewery, E7 MOVIE REVIEW: Beyonce’s ‘Black Is King’ now streaming on Disney Plus, E4

‘Godspell’ outdoors Beginning today and running through Sept. 4, the musical will be presented in an open-air tent adjacent to The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, Page E2

PLUS

‘Diary of Wimpy Kid’ author on tour

WEEKEND

E2 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020

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ON THE COVER PITTSFIELD

Berkshire Theatre Group to stage ‘Godspell’ Actors to perform in open-air tent

A

By Cori Urban

Special to The Republican

ctor Timothy L. Jones prepared for his role as Judas in Berkshire Theatre Group’s upcoming production of “Godspell” in a special pandemic-related way: a COVID-19 test and twoweek quarantine prior to the first rehearsal.

IF YOU GO Event: Berkshire Theatre Group’s production of “Godspell” When: Today through Sept.

4 Where: Open-air tent adjacent to The Colonial Theatre, 111 South St., Pittsfield Tickets: Tickets can be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office (open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), online at BerkshireTheatreGroup. org, by telephone at 413-997-4444

cise outdoors will hopefully get me ready for performing in the August evening heat,” he said.

“This way we can be sure “Godspell” will be presented in an open-air tent adjathat I, along with my cast cent to The Colonial Theatre mates, are starting off with a in Pittsfield beginning today clean bill of health,” he said, adding that he must also shift through Friday, Sept. 4.

“We could not bear the his mindset to better approach thought of a Berkshire suma socially distant performer without live theater to mance.

“Relative proximity is one support our community, so we of those natural tools we have jumped through every hoop to for socializing, so showing create a safe way to make this human interaction onstage happen,” said Berkshire Theatre Group Board of Trustees despite a required physical Co-president Lee Perlman. distance between actors is going to be very interesting,” “I hope our production gives hope to the tens of thousands he said. “What can we do to of theater professionals who convey closeness and show

“Godspell” will be presented in an open-air tent adjacent to The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield today through Sept. 4. Berkshire Theatre Group

Group relocated “Godspell” from its original site at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage in Stockbridge because of the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic.

Berkshire Theatre Group has outlined procedures and protocols in a manner that is consistent with current Actors’ Equity Association and state and local health and safety guidelines. Temperature scans will be done for

be placed at various locations throughout the space.

Patrons will be required to wear masks. One-way traffic patterns will be enforced with arrows and 6-foot markers on the floor, as well as lines down the center of hallways, to and from the tent, restrooms and concessions. The restrooms will have entrance and exits that are separate and one way. Every other stall, urinal and sink will be marked not

and “All for the Best.” It is a story of friendship, loyalty and love; a group of disciples help Jesus teach a variety of parables through interactive games and humor.

“Moving this production outdoors as opposed to a cancellation is something that I believe demonstrates how the arts will always prevail,” Jones said. “Be their work recorded, live streamed or socially distant as in our case,

“We are so fortunate to be able to work on this project, but for my fellow artists who lost their opportunities to work due to the pandemic, we must each dedicate ourselves to following safety guidelines. The longer our industry lies dormant, the longer our artists will go without work.”

TIMOTHY L. JONES, ACTOR

community between people never crossing the 6-foot boundary?”

He is confident solutions will present themselves, and he enjoys such considerations.

“Beyond this, plenty of exer-

are on the sidelines this summer. Theater is unstoppable and will be back!”

After careful consideration with local and state government and Actors’ Equity Association, Berkshire Theatre

patrons at their point of entry.

No-contact scanning stations for tickets will be placed at point of entry, spaced at least 6 feet from the temperature scan. Free-standing hand-sanitizer stations will

usable. A doctor/nurse will be on duty for all performances.

Additional safeguards will be in place also.

“Godspell” features such songs as “Day by Day,” “By My Side” “Save The People”

there is a desire among artists to express themselves. They really are brilliant problem solvers, so they will find a way to make it happen.”

Commented Kate Maguire,

SEE ‘GODSPELL’, PAGE E3

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 | E3

‘Godspell’

so fortunate to be able to work on this project, but for my fellow artists who lost their CONTINUED FROM PAGE E2 opportunities to work due to artistic director and CEO: “In the pandemic, we must each this time of deep uncertainty, dedicate ourselves to following safety guidelines. The lonI am so proud that Berkshire ger our industry lies dormant, Theatre Group, in its 92nd season, will be authorized and the longer our artists will go without work.” granted the responsibility to A native of Pittsfield, he produce the musical ‘Godspell,’ a true tribute to the earned a master’s degree human spirit.” in aerospace engineering Guided by Executive Direc- before pursuing acting fulltor of Actors’ Equity Associtime. Having most recently ation Mary McColl and her appeared in “Working: A team, Maguire has learned Musical” with the Berkshire much about how to lead a Theatre Group. His other

“In this time of deep uncertainty, I am so proud that Berkshire Theatre Group, in its 92nd season, will be authorized and granted the responsibility to produce the musical “Godspell,” a true tribute to the human spirit.”

Kate Maguire, artistic director and CEO of Berkshire Theatre Group

theater in the new world of a pandemic. “Our industry, which has been devastated by this global pandemic, will be served by their seriousness, data driven wisdom and profound understanding of the need for artists to rebuild,” she said. “Going through this process of mounting ‘Godspell’ has been a remarkable experience, and I am forever grateful for the care and attention of all involved.”

Jones noted that this is the first Equity show in the United States approved for production after theaters closed, and he is humbled to be a part of that.

“Just as we are putting in the work to safely bring this production to audiences this summer, so too can those audiences do their part to keep their communities safe. By wearing masks and continuing to practice social distancing, we each have a paramount role in fostering the reopening of the theatre community,” he said. “We are

credits with the company include “Tarzan” (Tarzan), “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” (Schroeder) and “The Music Man” (Ewart), as well as the Hanover Theatre production of “A Christmas Carol” (Young Ebenezer).

“We couldn’t let a summer go without creating something for our community,” Maguire said. “We have almost 100 years of creating in the most ridiculous environments, and that rich, storied history inspired us to move forward with something special for our audiences this summer.”

“Godspell” tickets may be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office, 111 South St., Pittsfield, online at BerkshireTheatreGroup. org, by calling 413-997-4444 or on any performance day from 10 a.m. until curtain.

The ticket office is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All plays, schedules, casting and prices are subject to change.

Jeff Kinney, author of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, will stop at the Odyssey Bookshop on his “Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure” book tour on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. at the store at 9 College St. in South Hadley.

SOUTH HADLEY

‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ author brings book tour to Odyssey

By Cori Urban

Special to The Republican

This is going to be an awesome book distribution.

To celebrate the release of his latest book, “Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure,” Jeff Kinney, author of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, will stop at the Odyssey Bookshop on his Awesome Friendly Adventure Tour to hand out signed copies of the book (via a custom-made 96-inch, trident-shaped gizmo) to

readers in a safe, fun, socially distant way.

The awesome event will take place Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. at the store at 9 College St. For this book tour, the author wanted to have an adventure. “When we started planning the tour, we were living in normal times. So, when the world turned upside down (due to the pandemic), we needed to rethink things,” he said. “What started off as a cross-country tour by plane

became a driving tour of the Northeast by van. I’m sure it’ll be an adventure but in a different way.”

The tour runs through Aug. 10.

“Now more than ever, it’s important for kids to be able to escape to different worlds

SEE AUTHOR, PAGE E4

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REVIEW

‘Black Is King’ a journey of art, music, history

By MESFIN FEKADU

Associated Press

King Beyoncé’s new film takes you on a journey of Black art, music, history and fashion as the superstar transports you to Africa to tell the story of a young man in search of his crown, matched to epic songs she created while inspired by “The Lion King.”

The voyage feels even more special during the current state of the world, as the Black experience has been looked at closely in the wake of the many deaths of Black people, and the Black Lives Matter movement that continues to protest racism and inequality. And for those of us who have been stuck in place for months because of the coronavirus pandemic, the voyage and escapism are welcomed.

In “Black Is King,” which debuted Friday on Disney+, Beyoncé continues to dig deep into her roots and share her discovery with the world, like she did on the sweet masterpiece “Lemonade.” Black pride is the center of the film, with African artists strongly represented, as Beyoncé shares her stage with Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Mr Eazi, Busiswa, Salatiel, Yemi Alade, Moonchild Sanelly and more.

They add a great deal of energy and beauty to the film — through lyrical delivery, eye-popping and sharp choreography, and bright and elegant costumes — bringing the songs from “The Lion King: The Gift” to life.

Author CONTINUED FROM PAGE E3

in the pages of a book. It’s a great time to discover your interests,” said the owner of An Unlikely Story bookstore in Plainville. “I think kids like the ‘Wimpy Kid’ books because they’re accessible and funny. And I think kids can see themselves in the characters. The drawings help too!”

will never know me, how can you?”

Powerful.

Later in the film, Beyoncé says: “We have always been wonderful. I see us reflected in the world’s most heavenly things. Black is king. We were beauty before they knew what beauty was.”

That leads into “Brown Skin Girl,” as Naomi Campbell, Lupita Nyong’o and Kelly Rowland — queens that Beyoncé name-drops on the song — make appearances alongside other black and brown women and girls in a deep celebration of melanin, diversity and sisterhood. Beyoncé singing “because you’re beautiful,” This image released by Disney Plus shows Beyoncé and her daughter Blue Ivy Carter, seated face-to-face with Rowland, background left, and Kelly Rowland, center, in “Brown Skin Girl” a scene from Beyonce’s visual could induce tears. album “Black Is King,” available on Disney Plus. (PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT / DISNEY + VIA AP) “Black Is King” also highlights music’s royal family: The Carters. Jay-Z makes REVIEW a stunning appearance on “Mood 4 Eva,” while 8-year“Black Is King” old Blue Ivy steals the spotrrrr Rated: TV-14 light every time she appears Running time: 85 minutes on screen. Tina Knowles as Streaming: Disney Plus well as Sir and Rumi Carter — who the film is dedicated to — are also present.

Lion King.” Audio from the It’s a family affair, with musical cousins — both familiar animated film are included, and on the verge — part of the but it’s the newer passages safari ride. that truly resonate.

“Black Parade” plays as the “When it’s all said and done, credits scroll at the end of I don’t even know my own “Black Is King,” and the song native tongue. And if I can’t title could be the best way to speak myself, I can’t think Beyoncé in a scene from her visual album “Black Is King,” availdescribe the film: a procession myself. And if I can’t think able on Disney Plus. (ROBIN HARPER / PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT VIA DISNEY +) myself, I can’t be myself. And into Beyoncé’s black liberaif I can’t be myself, I will never tion.

That album was inspired voicing the character of Nala OK, now let’s get in formaknow me,” a man says. “So tion. by the time Beyoncé spent in the latest version of “The Uncle Sam, tell me this, if I

“Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure” will be followed by the publication of the 15th title in the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, “The Deep End,” on Oct. 27.

Organizers of the tour are working with local bookstores, schools, libraries and community organizations to find “Awesome Friendly kids” in each tour market for a visit from the author.

“Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure” will be followed by the publication of the 15th title in the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, “The Deep End,” on Oct. 27.

“I can’t wait to connect with my fans and meet real ‘Awesome Friendly kids’ along the way,” said Kinney, who will be traveling in a wrapped “Awesome Friendly Adventure” van. “I hope the tour will bring readers some

Adventure” and admission for one child and one parent to a socially-distanced meet-andgreet and photo opportunity with the author.

Ticket options are broken much-needed celebration and down in 15-minute time slots; positivity in the spirit of Row- participants must arrive ley and his ‘Awesome Friendly during the time slot on their Adventure.’” ticket.

Tickets are $18.84 (includGo to odysseybks.com/ ing service fee) and include event/jeff-kinneysawesome-friendly-advenone signed copy of “Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly ture-tour.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 | E5

MUSIC

Robert Plant to release solo career anthology

Donnie Moorhouse LiveWire

W

HILE ROBERT Plant will always be known for his 10-year run as the founder of Led Zeppelin, one of rock’s most influential bands, his ensuing 40-year career of solo projects is similarly worthy of a retrospective. “Digging Deep� is a new anthology of Plant’s solo career that is laid out over 30 songs on two discs.

The release, coming Oct. 2, is named after the singer’s “Digging Deep� podcast.

Highlights include the rock hit “Hurting Kind� and the Grammy-nominated song “Shine All Around,� along with a duet with Patty Griffin.

Liner notes • Hall & Oates have announced a new date for the postponed Aug. 5 show at Xfinity Centre in Mansfield.

The duo will now perform at the outdoor shed on Aug. 5, 2021.

Tickets purchased for the original date will be honored.

Their shows at Foxwoods Resort Casino, initially set for May, are still on for the original rescheduled dates of Nov. 13 and 14 at the Mashantucket, Connecticut, casino.

With 34 charting hits and six No. 1 singles, Hall & Oates is the best-selling musical duo of all time, outpacing artists like Simon and Garfunkel and The Everly Brothers.

Tickets are available

Daryl Hall & John Oates perform at Giant Center in Hershey, Penn., in February. The group announced a new date for their show at Xfinity Center in Mansfield — Aug. 5, 2021.

through StubHub, SeatGeek, Ticketmaster.

France and now based in New Jersey, Wrembel is one of the preeminent guitarists special• There is live music sched- ized in the Reinhardt style; he uled in Western Massachuis most known for his Gramsetts this summer. my Award-winning composition “Bistro Fadaâ€? from the “Django a Gogo,â€? a weekend-long series celebrating Academy Award-winning the music of Django ReinWoody Allen movie “Midhardt, is set to take place night In Paris.â€? from Aug. 13-15 in HaydenTicket information is ville. available through valleyview The concerts will be held farm.info/home. on the grounds of Valley View Farm in the open-sided He• As the fallout from the menway Barn giving patrons COVID-19 global pandemic room for social distancing in shows no signs of slowing, the surrounding fields. Tickets more and more concerts are will be limited following state seeing a second round of postponements. guidelines.

John Fogerty, originally The performances begin at 8 p.m. each evening and all will scheduled to play the Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort feature French jazz guitarist Casino on April 25, initially Stephane Wrembrel with moved his performance to various ensembles. Born in

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“Digging Deep� is a new anthology of Robert Plant’s solo career that is laid out over 30 songs on two discs. It is scheduled for release Oct. 2.

Sept. 11.

Now that date has been moved as well.

The former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman will play the Connecticut casino on April 17, 2021.

Tickets for the first two postponed dates will be honored.

Tickets can also be purchased through the Foxwoods Box

Office at foxwoods.com. • Matchbox Twenty’s perfectly named “2020â€? tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its most popular album, has been renamed the “2021â€? tour with new dates in New England.

The band will now play

SEE LIVEWIRE, PAGE E6

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MUSIC

LiveWire CONTINUED FROM PAGE E5

Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, on July 16 and the Xfinity Center in Mansfield on July 18.

Tickets purchased for the original dates will be honored.

The “Matchbox Twenty 2021” tour is the group’s first run since 2017. It is a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the band’s 2000 album “Mad Season.” Tickets can be found at StubHub, SeatGeek, The “Matchbox Twenty 2021” tour is the group’s first run since Ticketmaster.

lewismusic.com to purchase access to the concert.

Available ticket packages include the performance, merchandise and a virtual meet-and-greet.

Lewis’ multi-platinum-selling rock band Staind was set to go out on tour this summer as part of Disturbed’s 20th anniversary of “The Sickness” tour.

Those plans were put on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions that have decimated the live event industry.

Staind was coming off a five-year hiatus as members busied themselves with solo projects. Last year, lead singer Lewis released his third country-influenced studio album “State I’m In.” Tickets can be found at StubHub, SeatGeek, Ticketmaster.

Floyd show scheduled for Sept. 27, have already been scrubbed from the calendar.

The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide and have received more than 33 RIAA Platinum and Gold record awards.

The Rock & Roll Hall-ofFamers where also honored at the 2001 Grammy Awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

• The last potential August show has been removed from the Iron Horse calendar.

Marshall Crenshaw and 2017. It is a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the band’s the Bottle Rockets, originally 2000 album “Mad Season.”(RANDALL SLAVIN HAR) • Kaleo’s stop at the Rockmoved from April 22 to Aug. land Trust Bank Pavilion, 26 due to COVID-19 concerns, has been postponed again.

StubHub, SeatGeek, Ticket- by emailing FWTicket@ scheduled for Sept. 12, has master.

No new date has been anbeen moved off to 2021. foxwoods.com. Purchasers nounced.

The Boston stop on the have until Aug. 10 to request “Fight or Flight” tour will The Crenshaw date was the • The highly anticipated a refund and refunds will be last August show at the storied now take place on May 16.

Black Crowes reunion tour, processed within eight busivenue that had yet to be Tickets purchased for the shut down by the COVID-19 ness days.

• When the Beach Boys The Go-Gos 1981 debut postponed. The next schedoriginal date will be honpandemic, is back on again ored. All ticket information announced touring plans for uled performance is a Brand “Beauty and the Beat” for 2021.

The Black Crowes will is available through Live 2020, six New England stops, X performances scheduled for helped usher in the New play the Xfinity Center in Nation at live nation.com.

Sept. 10. from Rutland, Vermont, to Wave era. The record produced hits like “Our Lips are Worcester dotted the calenKaleo is an Icelandic rock Mansfield next year on July The Iron Horse and its affilband that opened for the dar. Only one of those stops iated venues, Pearl Street and Sealed” and “We Got the 20 at 8 p.m. and the Xfinity Lumineers on their 2017 the Calvin Theatre, have been Beat” and garnered the band remains.

Theatre in Hartford on July “Cleopatra” tour. The group 25 at 8 p.m. The group will The legendary band redark since March when the a Best New Artist Grammy scheduled its March 29 date was also asked to open for global pandemic hit. nomination. also perform at the Bank of at the Toyota Oakdale to Sept. the Rolling Stones in HamCrenshaw has often toured New Hampshire Pavilion in burg and earned a Grammy with Bottle Rockets as his • Sidelined from a Staind 10 and the date remains on Gilford, New Hampshire on nomination in the Best Rock July 24. the band’s calendar despite backing band, who also open tour due to COVID-19 and Performance category for the long list of postponethe show for the master songunable to support his latest Tickets purchased for ments and cancellations due writer. the song “No Good.” country release “State I’m the original dates will be to COVID-19.

He has penned notable hits In” with a proper tour, honored. More ticket info is • Another concert tour Tickets for the original date such as “Cynical Girl” and available through Live Nation Western Mass. native Aaron that succumbed to the ravag- at live nation.com.

“Mary Anne” along with his Lewis has taken to the lives- will be honored and ticket es of COVID-19 is returning information, including resignature Top 40 entry “SomeThe Black Crowes’ last tour tream route. in 2021.

“Live From the Couch” first fund information is available day, Someway.” ended in 2013 and the band Guns N’ Roses will head through Live Nation at live His tour was also scheduled aired on July 29; an Aug. 12 is scheduled to play “Shake out next summer and infor the Center for the Arts in performance is scheduled at nation.com.

Your Money Maker” in its clude a stop in Boston, play- entirety as a celebration of Other dates at the Oakdale, Natick. That show was can7 p.m. ing Fenway Park on Aug. 3. including the Australian Pink celed.

Fans can log on to aaron the 30th anniversary of the Tickets for the original band’s double-platinum Aaron Lewis performs date will be honored at stops debut. an acoustic perforacross the country. Refunds mance with Staind at are also available at the point • Iconic 1980s pop group Pines Theater in Look of purchase.

The Go-Gos will have anothPark in Northampton Smashing Pumpkins er chance at Foxwoods. on June 27, 2014. Fans were set to open the origiThe group’s postponed can log on to nal dates but have yet to be July show has been moved to aaronlewismusic.com confirmed for 2021.

2021. The Go-Gos will now to purchase access Several dates, including play the Grand Theater on to his “Live From the stops in Seattle and Atlanta, July 10.

Couch” livestream could not be rescheduled.

Tickets purchased for the concert on Aug. 12.

The concerts are part original date will be honored. of the Rock Hall of Fame Ticket information is avail(THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO) group’s long-running “Not In able through Ticketmaster This Lifetime” reunion tour, and the Foxwoods Box Office at foxwoods.com. which began in 2016.

Tickets can be found at Refunds can be obtained

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 | E7

DINE & WINE

Fascinating French white wine for under $9

I

T’S HOT. It’s muggy.

All you want is something cold, crisp and refreshing to drink.

But what if you could also have something that’s delicious, complex and affordable?

That’s the beauty of this week’s wine.

The 2018 Domaine l’Enclos “Cotes de Gascogne” ($8.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield) hits all the right notes.

Made with a blend of 50% Colombard and 50% Ugni Blanc grapes, this wonderful wine from France’s Gascony region has been a favorite wine of mine for a while.

In a country filled with world-class wine regions, Gascony (or Gascogne as the French call this region) remains one of the most undiscovered gems when it comes to French wine. That might explain why so many fascinating wines from this region remain so remarkably affordable.

Located just north of Bordeaux along the Atlantic Ocean, Gascony is best known for Armagnac, the delicious, relatively affordable brandy made in the Armagnac region, which is part of the larger Gascony region. Armagnac brandy is made using some of the most common white wine grapes grown in Gascony, which include Colombard and Ugni Blanc, the two grapes used to make this week’s wine.

Let me add that these two lesser-known grapes are widely used throughout Gascony to make many wonderful, affordable white wines. So if you can’t find this week’s specific wine, fear not. I highly recommend trying another white wine from Gascony if you can find one at your local

George Lenker Beer Nut

This week’s recommended wine: 2018 Domaine l’Enclos “Cotes de Gascogne.” (KEN ROSS PHOTO)

Ken Ross

flavors gently wash over your taste buds like a passwine store. (I also highly recing breeze or the foam-like ommend Armagnac if you’re bubbles left on the sand by a a fan of bourbon or other gentle, ocean current. There’s smooth, dry, whiskey-like nothing overpowering or over liquors.) the top about this wine. And Last year, I raved about four yet it’s flavors linger long after outstanding white wines from each sip, like the sound of a Gascony for under $10 a bot- large, old church bell humtle, including the 2017 vintage ming after the last peal. of this week’s wine.

As far as what foods to have This week, the 2018 vintage this wine with, it’s a more substantial white wine that can was just as impressive.

Dry and austere, this wine’s hold its own with a wide range of foods — from oysters and flavors cover a wide range — other shellfish to even steak from fresh picked pears and and — I can personally attest peaches to hints of tart apple to this —potato chips. (Trust and sea salt. There’s also a crisp mineral-like hint to this me. They taste great with this wine, giving it a slightly rocky, wine.)

And one more great thing chalky finish — two flavors I about this wine — it still tastes absolutely adore in a crisp, vibrant and alive several days dry, white wine.

Let me add that all of these after your open the bottle — if Wine Press

As far as what foods to have this wine with, it’s a more substantial white wine that can hold its own with a wide range of foods. you can wait that long to finish the bottle.

Cheers!

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s weekend section every Thursday.

Mustard beer on tap from Oskar Blues Brewery

W

ELL, AS I SAID last week, baseball is back.

I mentioned that in order to have fun with a few beers that had baseball-themed names (or ones I felt touched on the subject).

But leave it to Oskar Blues Brewery to one-up me with something that even furthers the idea of melding ballparks with brews: French’s Mustard Beer.

That’s right, you read that correctly: mustard beer.

I’m sure plenty of readers have enjoyed beer mustard, which has been around for as long as I can recall, but flipping the equation on its head?

SEE BEER, PAGE E10

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DINE & WINE

Restaurants see need for throwaway containers

O

NE OF THE HEADaches that the COVID-19 pandemic has created for the food service industry has been a sudden shift to takeout dining.

When stay-at-home orders went into place in March, that segment of the packaging industry that provided take-out supplies started experiencing significant shocks.

First, the overnight closure of schools, colleges and office buildings, important customers for food containers, led many paper goods manufacturers to almost immediately scale back production. Like factories that turn out paper towels and toilet tissue, the facilities that make disposables are typically run on a “just-intime” basis, with few provisions for maintaining large stocks of either raw materials or finished goods.

Concurrently, and somewhat unexpectedly, the dining out world shifted to carry out/ curbside. Restaurant operations that traditionally did 4% or 5% takeout suddenly found themselves an entirely “togo” business.

Adding to these complications, a major source of raw materials for packaging manufacture, cardboard recycling, all but dried up as retailing and general manufacturing slowed across the economy.

The result, of course, was supply chain disruption, with paper manufacturers and distributors having too much of one product and not enough of another.

Now, just as the distribution system for what the restaurant industry calls “paper goods” has stabilized, another jolt may be on the horizon.

As they prepare to reopen for the fall, many school systems, colleges, and universities have made the decision to operate their food services on a take-out, carry-away

Hugh Robert Off The Menu

basis, with students eating in classrooms instead of school cafeterias and in dorm rooms rather than college dining halls.

All that off-site dining means lots and lots of throwaway containers.

Both manufacturers and users are scurrying for solutions. Institutional food service directors are stock-

piling compostable bowls and tamper-proof packaging, while suppliers are working to produce new food container innovations that are sturdy, sanitary and sustainable.

For mainstream restaurant operators, who are likely to remain invested in “to-go” for the foreseeable future, purchasing the supplies they need could prove to be a short-term challenge as the new school year approaches.

Most restaurants have offered food takeout or delivery-only options during the COVID-19 pandemic.

with feta, a lobster salad roll prepared either “cold” (mayo and celery) or “hot” (melted Side dishes butter and lemon), and mus• A celebration of summer tard-laced crab cakes. continues on Fort Street in Broiled swordfish and downtown Springfield as the smoked pork loin, both of Student Prince Cafe and which come with two sides, Fort Restaurant provide din- are also part of this August’s ing experiences inside and out. culinary agenda.

The restaurant is serving The bar at the Student a Summerfest menu that Prince is currently stocked features warm weather treats with a Summer Sangria made such as watermelon salad from rose wine and strawberries.

Also planned for later this month is a Woodstock Beer Dinner, which is being billed as “a night of peace, music, and beer.” The event is scheduled for Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.; tickets are $65.

The 1970s-themed event will feature a “hippie hash”

For mainstream restaurant operators, who are likely to remain invested in “to-go” for the foreseeable future, purchasing the supplies they need could prove to be a short-term challenge as the new school year approaches. of mushrooms, short rib meat and truffle oil as starter, while a “feeling groovy” flatbread garnished with smoked salmon will follow.

SEE MENU, PAGE E9

At bottom left, John Perry, assistant general manager at the Student Prince and Fort Restaurant, raises an umbrella at an outdoor table at the restaurant. At top left, an order of Yankee pot roast at Storrowton Tavern in West Springfield. Above, guests eat outdoors at the Munich Haus at 13 Center St. in downtown Chicopee. (THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTOS)

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WEEKEND

Menu CONTINUED FROM PAGE E8

Course three is to be granola-crusted chicken with a curry cream; “narly noodles” paired with pork tenderloin will conclude the savory portion of the meal.

Double chocolate brownies will wrap up the proceedings, which will include five beers from a variety of craft brewing brands.

More information on the event can be had by calling Hope & Olive in Greenfield has pursued a two-pronged apthe Student Prince at 413-734proach to its reopening. Forgoing inside dining, the restaurant 7475.

• The Storrowton Tavern in West Springfield last month rolled out three new menus, each of which features locally raised and produced foodstuffs.

Its “Bistro Tavern” menu features favorites such as Cape Cod steamers and a fresh antipasto salad; other choices include a veggie pizza assembled on a cauliflower crust, a blackened catfish sandwich, and a “make-yourown” mac and cheese option.

The summer lunch menu features a number of house favorites like Yankee pot roast, baked Boston scrod, and open-faced hot turkey, while the dinner menu is more extensive, adding classics like veal Oscar, Boston scrod francaise, and roast rib of beef.

Storrowton Tavern is offering patio and socially distanced indoor dining Tuesday

is offering to-go dinner service on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN FILE PHOTO)

through Saturday, serving lunch and dinner. On Sundays this summer a BBQ Brunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; dinner is available until 8 p.m.

The restaurant answers at 413-732-4188.

lobster, the tariff is $65 per person. Prices do not include tax or tip; take-out service is also available For more details or to make reservations, contact the Munich House at 413-594-8788.

• The Munich Haus German Restaurant in Chicopee is holding a Lobsterfest 0n Aug. 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Headlining the occasion will be lobsters weighing in at from 6 to 9 pounds.

Accompaniments will include the restaurant’s own-recipe clam chowder, Caesar salad, seasonal vegetables and oven-roasted potatoes.

A strawberry sundae will be served for dessert.

Cost per person is $110, but for those choosing to split a

• Louisville, Kentucky-based KFC continues to work with Beyond Meat, a major developer of plantbased meat substitutes, to refine a product that can be integrated in the fried chicken chain’s menu.

As part of that process, KFC is promoting a limited-time market test in more than 50 restaurants in Southern California. This third such test uses a reformulated product that KFC claims “replicates ... the flavor of Kentucky Fried Chicken.”

An additional improvement is in the texture of the Beyond Meat “chicken,” which now “pulls apart” in a fashion similar to real breast meat.

A breaded, “nugget-style” item, KFC Beyond Fried Chicken is sold in six-piece portions. Suggested retail price during the test is around $7.

Chicago-based McDonald’s Corp. has announced that all customers are asked to wear face coverings when entering the company’s U.S. restaurants. (TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

• Hope & Olive in Greenfield has pursued a two-pronged approach to its reopening.

Forgoing inside dining, the restaurant is offering to-go dinner service on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The menu delivers an eclectic combination

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 | E9

of flavors and traditions, with offerings such as Thai thighs, cauliflower tart, and elote fritters to snack on. Entree selections include meatloaf Italiano, Moroccan chicken, Argentinean steak tips, and Korean-inspired bi-bim tofu.

Owners Jim Zaccara, Maggie Zaccara and Evelyn Wulfkuhle have transformed the restaurant’s outside environs into the “Hope Street Lounge,” a space where drinks and snacks are available; a chalkboard menu displays an updated selection of nibbles. Seating in the lounge, which does business on Thursday through Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m., is first come, first served.

On Sundays Hope & Olive uses that exterior space to serve brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with take-out available. The brunch menu is available at hopeandolive. com.

The number to call to order takeout from Hope & Olive is 413-774-3150.

• Chicago-based McDonald’s Corp. has announced that all customers are asked to wear face coverings when entering the company’s U.S. restaurants.

McDonald’s also instituted two other pandemic-related operational changes. Clear protective panels have been added both in public areas and productions spaces within McDonald’s restaurants, and the chain has further paused the ongoing reopening of its dining rooms.

McDonald’s recently reported its second quarter of 2020 financial results. Covering the three-month period ending June 30, the report showed a 68% drop in net income.

In the U.S. same-store sales for the second quarter were down 8.7%, with third-party data indicating that customer counts, especially at breakfast, were notably lower during the period in question.

• Log Rolling, the catering service affiliated with the Log Cabin Banquet and Meetinghouse, has announced that it is now offering “Drop & Go Delivery Service.”

Drawing from Log Rolling’s regular catering menu, the Drop & Go Service provides options such as sandwich box lunches, a taco/fajita bar, a wrap sandwich platter, and a wide assortment of hors d’oeuvres.

Drop & Go can also provide wine and beer.

Delivery is available within 30 miles of the Log Cabin’s Holyoke location; extra delivery, service and gratuity charges are added to the cost of each order. Service is available seven days a week.

More information is available at logrollingcatering. com Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 45 years of restaurant and educational experience.

Robert can be reached at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.

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WEEKEND

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MUSIC

Critic suggests music to fill dog days of August

By Michael Andor Brodeur Met Stars Live A couple of weeks ago, the Faced with a traditional Metropolitan Opera anAugust, I’d be recommending nounced Met Stars Live, new not much more than plenty of pay-per-view live-streamed sunscreen and spring water performances (wait! keep to accompany whatever wild reading) from “opera’s biggest vacation plans you had in the stars in striking locations works. Alas, this is not that, across Europe and the United and it may be up to music to States.” give us escape this summer.

If you’ve been stuck within Luckily, there’s more than a one-mile radius of your enough music — online, on living room for five months, record and even in person — just about anywhere counts to fill the dog days. Here are a as a striking location, and few late-summer selections. you’re probably getting a

little streamed out. But the inaugural stream last month

by Jonas Kaufmann attained transportive heights from its location at the Polling Monastery outside of Munich; and its library’s acoustics were a welcome escape from the echo chamber of the average Zoom. Forthcoming highlights from the 12-concert series include Joyce DiDonato (Sept. 12); Anna Netrebko (Oct. 10); Pretty Yende and Javier Camarena (Nov. 7); and

Beer

DVD RELEASES

Washington Post

years, and since it is one of the bigger craft breweries, I will allow its success to grant CONTINUED FROM PAGE E7 them leeway when it comes “We’re stoked on bold flato experimentation. vors at Oskar Blues Brewery And while I’m more of a and we never shy away from Gulden’s fan when it comes a challenge,” Oskar Blues to Big Mustard, I’ve enjoyed head brewer, Juice Drapeau, French’s products as well, alsaid in a press release. “With though I admit I still haven’t tried the company’s Mustard French’s Mustard Beer we Ice Cream. elevated the Classic Yellow “French’s enjoys creating Mustard flavor with tangy new curiosity around a flavor lemon and lime to create a that has been a staple in tropical wheat ale I’d pair with a loaded hot dog on the homes for over 115 years,” said Jill Pratt, chief markethottest day of the year.”

The collaboration with one ing excellence officer for of America’s favorite musFrench’s. “The incredible tards hit the shelves just in reaction to last year’s release time for National Mustard of our Mustard Ice Cream Day on Aug. 1, and I, for one, showed us how far people will definitely be trying to get are willing to go to savor my hands on some. this favorite condiment. We “But George,” you might promise this French’s Mussay, “you usually don’t like tard Beer will not disappoint outside ingredients added to either.” beer.”

We shall see.

You’d be right about that, Beer note but I love mustard so much While we are talking that this combination seems sports, I should mention intriguing at the very least. that Framingham brewery And mustard isn’t the only Jack’s Abby is collaborating extra passenger on this wild ride: The beer is brewed with with the Boston Celtics on a special brew named Pride lemon, line, tangerine and and Parquet. The beer is part passionfruit as well.

Now, this certainly could of a four-year deal between turn out to be an abominathe two parties and will be tion (at least to some readreleased in time for the start ers’ palates) but I also trust of next season. The word is that the folks at Oskar Blues that it’s a hoppy lager (which know what they’re doing.

Jack’s Abby excels at) and The brewery has made some this partnership seems like a amazing beers over the slam dunk.

Musician David Murray prepares to perform at a socially distanced concert at the “secret garden” of the Rectory, a music venue in Alexandria, Va., on June 20. (AMANDA ANDRADE-RHOADES / WASHINGTON POST)

SEE CRITIC, PAGE E11

‘Swallow’ takes deep dive into homebound malaise

By Katie Foran-McHale

Tribune News Service

A spellbinding feminist horror film tops new DVD releases this week.

In “Swallow,” seemingly effervescent Hunter (the brilliant Haley Bennett) is swept out of working retail and into a comfortable life with a wealthy family via husband Richie (Austin Stowell).

It quickly becomes evident that he and his boundary-free parents (Elizabeth Marvel and David Rasche) see her as less of a human being and more of a prop, while she’s largely stuck at home with domestic tasks and ennui.

So when mom Katherine gives Hunter a self-help book, “A Talent for Joy,” after Hunter becomes pregnant, Hunter reads a tip about doing something unexpected every day and turns to props of her own. It starts as a compulsion: She swallows a marble. Then onto a thumbtack, a battery, each new object compounding the risk.

Bennett is mesmerizing, her facial expressions so masterfully exposing the addiction cycle: the boredom, the initial

compulsion, the fight against temptation, succumbing to it, then shame but ultimately private joy, her secret, the one thing that’s all hers. The dreamy score by Nathan Halpern and pristine production design by Erin Magill compellingly add to the battle between mental numbness and order disguising more complicated layers underneath.

• “Dead Ringer”: A cover band lead singer (Tom Sizemore) takes over a spot in a famous boy band in this modern take on “The Prince and the Pauper.”

• “Dispatches From Elsewhere, Season 1”: AMC anthology series follows a group of strangers who get swept into a mysterious game.

Stars Sally Field, Richard E. Grant, Andre Benjamin and Eve Lindley.

• “His Dark Materials: First Season”: BBC One series tackles the popular book trilogy by Philip Pullman as Lyra (Dafne Keen) attempts to rescue her generation from an oppressive system that attempts to limit their magical qualities.

• “NCIS: Los Angeles: The Eleventh Season”: Picking up from the previous season of the CBS series, Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Sam (LL Cool J) remain on the USS Allegiance, seeking out spies onboard.

• “The Good Doctor”: The hit ABC series follows the challenges and unique abilities of a young surgeon with autism (Freddie Highmore).

• “The Resistance Fighter”: The film follows Poland’s uprising against the Nazis near the end of World War II. In Polish and English.

• “Satan’s Slaves”: A woman (Tara Bascro) fights to protect her brothers from their mother’s ghost. In Indonesian.

• “Shanghai Triad”: A digitally restored version of the 1995 classic in which a teenager is recruited into his family’s criminal ties. In Mandarin.

• “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan - Season Two”: The Amazon Prime Video series starring John Krasinski as the Tom Clancy hero continues with political war in Venezuela.

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020 | E11

VIDEO GAME REVIEW

‘Carrion’: Don’t play this one right before bedtime

By Christopher Byrd

Sometimes it’s good to be bad. That sentiment cuts to the marrow of “Carrion,” the new Metroid-like game that sinks players into the role of a viscera-colored, creepy-crawly monster that is all tentacles and teeth.

Though the game evokes the limited color palette of the 16-bit era, I’d be hard pressed to think of anything as rousingly nefarious on Super Nintendo. Then again, Devolver Digital, which also gave the world “Hotline Miami,” specializes in publishing games with the sort of look that might have concerned the sort of ’90s parent who fretted over “Mortal Kombat.”

“Carrion” wastes no time setting up its story. At the start, a monstrous entity escapes from a hazard-marked container into the bowels of an underground facility.

Naturally, all it wants to do is to feed and evolve, so the first

Critic

retrieving it to use a temporary invincibility shield that is only available to you in Developed by: Phobia your largest guise.

Game Studio I was hooked by “CarriPublished by: Devolver on’s” atmosphere and gameDigital play from the start and satisAvailable on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox fied with its eerily subdued One ending. Creeping through a shaft before dropping onto one of the poor humans whose vocal cords only allow important aspect of “Carrion.” Most upgrades can only them to scream or shout be used when your fleshy never grew old over the few bulk is within one of three days I played through the ranges. To knock through re- game. I never overcame my inforced surfaces you need to squeamishness at seeing that slithering foul abomination be in one of the larger ranges, but to use an invisibility on the screen. The creature is cloak you need to be at your so hideous it can divide itself into a pack of worms to slip lightest and most nimble.

Spread throughout the game past underwater obstacles or drape a tentacle onto a there are murky aquatic environments where you can person to assume control of their body. Yuck! store part of your body as Perhaps the finest complipulsating-looking eggs which ment I can pay “Carrion” is can be reabsorbed later that I was reluctant to play it when you wish. Over time, before going to sleep. Truly, you’ll find yourself ditching part of your body to, say, use the last thing I wanted to see your invisibility cloak to slip was that infernal creature in through laser traps and then my dreams.

“CARRION”

Special To The Washington Post

A scene from “Carrion.” (DEVOLVER DIGITAL)

order of business is to prey on the human staff. The second is to search for other containment tanks to break into and obtain DNA upgrades. Using the right trigger of the control pad and the right thumb stick you can grab enemies with a tentacle and steer them into your gaping maw.

The facility that lies between you and freedom is patrolled by drones, mechs and armed guards with electric shields that can sap your health should you touch

them. To move between sections of the base, you’ll have to uncover save points where you can “spread your biomass,” in other words, infect your surroundings with your malign growth. The larger you become, the more resilient you are to attacks. At the same time, though, your frame becomes more awkward to haul around which can make it a little tricky to, for example, cram yourself into an elevator.

Weight management is an

more information at classicalmovements.com.

and on Aug. 18, the exciting young composer and pianist Conrad Tao plays a program featuring John Adam’s “China’s Gate” and a set of original improvisations. Find full festival schedule and more information at live. nationalsawdust.org/ digital-discovery-festival.

well as a miniature survey of his vast range.

• KMRU: “Peel” (Editions CONTINUED FROM PAGE E10 National Sawdust DigiMego) tal Discovery Festival Bryn Terfel (Dec. 12). Find This deeply satisfying sixNYC-based new music tickets and more information pack of lush, looping, ambient incubator/record label/perat metopera.org. soundscapes fashioned from formance center National field recordings by NairoSounds of Hope bi-based sound artist Joseph Sawdust is weathering the and Harmony Kamaru was recorded in 48 turmoil of the new normal Alexandria, Va.-based hours. with a robust slate of excluorchestral touring group sive online programming. Its Record highs • Thomas Adès and Kirill • Christopher Rouse: Classical Movements contin- ongoing Digital Discovery Gerstein: “In Seven Days” ues its Sounds of Hope and Festival is a weekly program Symphony No. 5 / Supplica / (Myrios Music) Harmony series through the Concerto for Orchestra, Nashof live performances and Adès and Gerstein make ville Symphony, Giancarlo month of August and beyond. interviews featuring some one of the most electrifying Guerrero (Naxos) Upcoming installments of of the most adventurous pairings of composer and The late, great Christopher these 100-ticket, socially players and composers in performer at work today, and Rouse was a Pulitzer and distanced soirees this month the field. Tenor Lawrence their joined forces charge Grammy-winning composinclude NSO musicians Brownlee leads a master this suite of recordings from er, a lifelong Baltimorean, a performing chamber works class tomorrow, both with Tanglewood and Boston’s proud Led Zeppelin fan, and a Symphony Hall. Especially so

by Molly Joyce, Victor Ewald, vocalist Helga Davis and direct product of Beethoven.

Andy Akiho, Alvin Singleton, Sawdust co-founder Paola on the two-piano world preHis first childhood encounter miere of “Concert Paraphrase Zhao Tian and Duke Ellington Prestini. Today, the Tesla Quartet will perform a on ‘Powder Her Face,’ “ where with Ludwig’s fifth marked on Saturday, and an evening 45-minute concert of string the beginning of his comthe composer and Gerstein of grand opera arias sung by “heldentenor par excellence” quartet commissions penned posing life; and his own fifth, take the dynamic duo thing composed in 2015, makes for to a very literal and beautiful by 12 freelance composIssachah Savage, accompanied by pianist Joy Schreier ers (including the Baltia stirring homage (especially place. more-based Bonnie Lander), in the timpani department) as on Aug. 15. Find tickets and • Suzanne Ciani: “Music

for Denali” (Finders Keepers) This early (1973) collection of appropriately icy unheard themes composed for a documentary chronicling the first descent by skiers down Alaska’s most formidable peak captures Ciani on her way up, and offers a grand view of the musical futures she’d go on to explore — from cavernous drones to frigid tones.

• Various Artists: Hildegard Competition Winners Vol. 1 (National Sawdust Tracks) National Sawdust’s Hildegard Competition is a mentorship initiative “highlighting outstanding trans, female and non-binary composers in the early stages of their careers,” and this newly released compilation from the class of 2019 collects new works from Niloufar Nourbakhsh, inti figgis-vizeuta, Bergrun Snaebjornsdottir, Emma O’Halloran, X. Lee and Kayla Cashetta.

WEEKEND

E12 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020

HARTFORD

Shows canceled through June 2021

By Ray Kelly

rkelly@repub.com

ALBUM REVIEWS

New album embodies Wainwright’s talents • Rufus Wainwright “Unfollow the Rules” (BMG) Rufus Wainwright strayed from pop music after 2012’s “Out of the Game” in order to write operas, to turn Shakespeare sonnets into songs and to focus on his family life with his husband and daughter.

He’s positioned “Unfollow the Rules” as a conscious return to his past, working in the same Los Angeles studio where he recorded his 1998 debut album.

Produced by Mitchell Froom, “Unfollow the Rules” has three “acts.” The first four songs are lighthearted and clever, including the Anna Wintour-inspired “Trouble in Paradise” and the amusing dis “You Ain’t Big” — which argues that the measure of music industry success is popularity in the heartland, including “God forbid Southern Pennsylvania.”

The next four tracks are more orchestral and ballad-heavy, starting with the stately “Romantical Man” and ending with the lovely “This One’s for the Ladies (That Lunge).” The final act turns darker, with art songs and diatribes such as the stirring “Early Morning Madness” (“Everything is crap and long/ Gotta take a nap later on”) and the vituperative “Hatred.”

“Unfollow the Rules” should please fans who may have unfollowed Wainwright after “Poses” and “Want One” and “Two,” his releases from the early aughts, but it also embodies his mature, ambitious talents.

— Steve Klinge

• The Chicks “Gaslighter” (Sony) As “Gaslighter” neared completion, the first album in 14 years by Natalie Maines, Martie Erwin Maguire and Emily Strayer looked like it was going to be a collection of protest music. The album’s name echoes a term for psychological manipulation that has often been leveled at President Donald Trump.

Coming from a band ostracized by the country establishment for Maines’ 2003 comments in opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iraq — who then released a 2006 single called “Not Ready To Make Nice” — it seemed the group, now performing as the Chicks, was again spoiling for a fight.

The single “March March” was issued in June with a video expressing solidarity with Black Lives Matter as the band changed its name to distance themselves from the racist connotations of the word “Dixie.”

Along with “March March,”

the album contains a fistraised feminist anthem, “For Her.” But “Gaslighter,” as it turns out, is not a protest album. It’s a divorce album.

The spirit that animates the collection is the dissolution of Maines’ marriage to actor Adrian Pasdar, who last year attempted to legally block her from releasing songs with lyrics that pertain to their breakup.

He failed, and Maines lays into him from the get-go.

“Gaslighter — you liar!” she sings on the title track, one of two songs on which she expresses outrage at something that happened aboard a boat (which Texas Monthly has surmised is the sailboat The Nautalee that Pasdar gave Maines as a gift). The

other song, “Tights on My Boat” begins: “I hope you die peacefully in your sleep/ Just kidding, I hope it hurts like you hurt me.”

“Gaslighter” pairs the Chicks with Jack Antonoff, who’s also worked with Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, Lorde and St. Vincent. Songs like “Texas Man” and “Hope It’s Something Good” do a fine job of melding Maines’ powerhouse vocals with Strayer and Maguire’s dobro, fiddle and harmony singing. It’s an appealing pop-country hybrid that’s landed the Chicks back on top of the country charts, where they belong.

— Dan DeLuca Reviews provided by Tribune News Service writers.

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• The Psychedelic Furs “Made of Rain” (Cooking Vinyl) Twenty nine years is a long time between drinks, and yet it seems as if no time, tide, or trend has passed between the last Psychedelic Furs album, 1991’s “World Outside,” and their dreamy new “Made of Rain.” The tense charm that made the Furs great then

-- in hits such as “Pretty in Pink,” “Heaven” and “Love My Way” (the latter produced

by Upper Darby wizard Todd Rundgren) —is still with them, even during the heaviest moments of “Rain.”

As they have since their start, just after British punk’s first gleaming, brothers Richard and Tim Butler and crew craft a spidery, Bowie-like web filled with raspy vocals, hypnotic saxophones, rangy guitars and Richard Butler’s drearily romantic lyrics.

Sometimes the effect is acidic and psychedelic (“Come All Ye Faithful’), sometimes it’s icily epic (“Ash Wednesday”) and sometimes gracefully folksy (“Wrong Train”).

For all the familiarity, there’s invention here, too, in “Rain’s” opening cut, “The Boy Who Invented Rock & Roll.” It’s an oddly hacking cough filled with wonky sax, distorted guitars and singer-songwriter Butler at his most vexingly poetic.

— A.D. Amorosi

3135607-01 3135607-01

Citing the ongoing pandemic, Hartford Stage has canceled all stage performances scheduled through June 2021.

Virtual artistic and education programs will continue in the fall.

The canceled performances include the six-play season scheduled to begin January 2021. In addition, the previously postponed productions of “The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged)” and “Ah Wilderness!,” as well as the annual production of “A Christmas Carol—A Ghost Story of Christmas,” have been called off.

“Having to cancel our final weekend of Jane Eyre this past March, the entire run of ‘The King’s Speech,’ and the productions of ‘Ah, Wilderness!’ and ‘The Complete History of Comedy (Abridged)’ has created a serious financial hardship for the theatre,” said Managing Director Cynthia Rider in a statement. “Canceling our 2020 /2021 season as well is such a painful but necessary decision to ensure the safety of our audiences and staff and the long-term survival of Hartford Stage.”

The ability to reopen in fall 2021 as now planned is highly dependent on the success of the “Raise the Curtain” fundraising campaign Hartford Stage just launched, officials said.

Hartford Stage will rely on its patrons, community members, and corporate partners to donate generously to sustain the theater during this difficult time. Ticket holders of canceled performances are also highly encouraged to donate their tickets back to the theater.

For information or to make a donation to Hartford Stage, visit hartfordstage.org.

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