Berkshire History Theatre to Present 'I Am Pittsfield' at Arrowhead| 03:56PM / Friday, August 07, 2015 | |
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire History Theatre, in collaboration with Berkshire Historical Society, will present a new “Historic Pittsfield” play, “I Am Pittsfield: The Immigrant Century” from Aug. 13-29 in The Red Barn Theatre at Melville’s Arrowhead on Holmes Road.
Based on actual historical incidents culled from both written and oral history sources, “I Am Pittsfield: The Immigrant Century” explores the struggles and triumphs of successive waves of ethnic immigrants – Irish, African-American, French-Canadian, Polish and Italian – who arrived and settled in Pittsfield during the period 1840-1940.
Written and directed by Arrowhead’s playwright-in-residence Sally Filkins, author of “The Melville Trilogy," “I Am Pittsfield” treats themes of ethnic hostility, poverty, prejudice, abuse, hatred and fear, and the resultant disenfranchisement of “the other” throughout history. The play is set in Pittsfield locations ranging from the city’s Underground Railroad Network to Pittsfield’s burgeoning mid-19th century woolen and cotton mills, to family homes in ethnic Pittsfield neighborhoods. “I Am Pittsfield” honors the achievements of the city’s diverse founders, both famous and obscure.
“I Am Pittsfield” is an ensemble production, with actors all playing multiple roles. Key performers include veteran actor Kevin Paul Wixsom, last seen with Berkshire History Theatre as Herman Melville in "Melville, Haunted" as Dr. John Milton Brewster, chief operative of Pittsfield’s Underground Railroad. Dyann Arduini recreates the role of Herman Melville’s friend and neighbor, Sarah Morewood, whose home on South Street, “Broadhall,” now the Pittsfield Country Club, was a key station on the Underground Railroad. Tom Suski, making his debut with Berkshire History Theatre, plays Fugitive Slave Hunter Jebediah McCarthy. Hannah Wheeler, 12, is little Mary Agnes Pomeroy, future bride of Pittsfield’s premier civil war hero, General William Bartlett. Sheila Wood, also making her debut with BHT, plays Irish mill operatives’ leader, Mary Dolan. Filkins is Polish matriarch Tekla Krukowski. Samantha Blau, 12, portrays abused Polish girl Aneta Marysia Drozda. Jane Skorput is mill worker Katie Mulrooney. Peg Stuart plays socialite Electa Dawes. Lyndon Morehouse, also 12, is young Theodore Pomeroy.
“I Am Pittsfield” is directed by Filkins. Kevin Paul Wixsom is assistant director. Sound and costumes are by Jane Bove. Gianna Rachiele is the production’s flautist.
Performances of “I Am Pittsfield” are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, Aug. 13-29, at 7 p.m. at The Red Barn Theater, Melville’s Arrowhead, 780 Holmes Road. Tickets are $15-$25. For reservations and information, call Berkshire History Theatre at 413-442-1928 or Arrowhead 413-442-1973.
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