There are usually three things that usually prevent people from seeing as much entertainment as they would like. They are time, money and availability of product.

In the summer there is no lack of product, what with local music festivals, SPAC and all the things going on in the Berkshires.

That leaves time and money. I am powerless to help with your time, but I might be able to help with the money problem by showing you how to secure half-priced tickets in the Berkshires and for some NY venues.

Through Sept. 5, two organizations, Barrington Stage Company and the Berkshires Visitors Bureau, operate five discount booths in the Berkshires where day-of-show tickets are sold for half-price. Best of all you don't have to drive over to find out what tickets are available. There is a hotline 413-743-1339 to find out what is available. (which doesn't guarantee they'll be there if you wait too long.) Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and transactions are only done in cash. There is a $3 handling charge per ticket.

Ticket booths are available at:
Pittsfield Visitors Center at Ben & Jerry's, 179 South Street, downtown Pittsfield, Mass.
Adams Visitors Center, 3 Hoosac St., Adams, Mass.
Southern Berkshire's Visitor's Booth, 362 Main Street, Great Barrington, Mass
Lenox Visitor's Center, Lenox Town Hall, 6 Walker Street, Lenox.
Chatham Bookstore, 27 Main St., Chatham, NY

Participating cultural venues are:
Barrngton Stage Company
Berkshire Choral Festival
Berkshire Theatre Festival
Capital Steps at Cranwell Resort
The Colonial Theatre
Jacob's Pillow Dance
Mac-Haydn Theatre
Shakespeare & Company
Tanglewood
Theatre Barn
Williamstown Theatre Festival

I think this is a great idea. I hope some area organizations think about the same type of thing in this area between Labor Day and Memorial Day.