Platos' Apology of Socrates Performance

12:00AM / Wednesday, October 19, 2005Print Story | Email Story

Plato's Apology of Socrates - a Classics with a Twist Benefit Performance for Topia Arts Center Nov 5, 2005 at Topia Arts Center at 8 pm Tickets $15, Seniors and Students $10 with valid ID, Group Discount for 10 or more - $12 27 Park Street, Adams ~ (413) 743-9600 for info order tickets online at www.TopiaArts.org or call (866) 811-4111 Toga optional Platoâ€™s Apology of Socrates is a work considered to be among the foundations of Western thought, and Topia Arts Center is thinking about solid beginnings as they continue to rebuild their theater space. For this second Fundraising Benefit Performance in the still raw theater space, Topia is presenting a classic with a twist. Actor Yannis Simonides brings Socrates to life in this one-man show, staged uniquely within the current "voicepaper" sculpture installation of artist Ven Voisey. Simonides and director Loukas Skipitaris have come up with an accessible and engaging modern translation of Plato's original Greek text. Oscar and Tony Award-winning designer Theoni Vahliotis Aldredge designed Simonidesâ€™ costume and mask. Caryn Heilman will add live percussion. The Apology is Platoâ€™s report of Socratesâ€™ formal statement of justification or defense at Socratesâ€™ trial in 399 B.C.E. Socrates (469-399 B.C.E.), is a philosopher who used a method known as the Socratic dialogue to elicit knowledge from his students by pursuing a series of questions and examining the implications of their answers. He discussed virtue, justice and attention to one's soul wherever his fellow citizens congregated, seeking wisdom about right conduct so that he might guide the moral and intellectual improvement of Athens. His criticism of the Sophists and Athenian political and religious institutions made him many enemies and he was accused of corrupting the youth of Athens through his teachings and for religious heresies. He resisted all attempts to save his life and willingly drank poisoned hemlock as his sentence of death. The Apologia, Crito and Phaedo are the three dialogues recorded by Plato that describe his life, works, trial and death. Simonides studied at the Yale Drama School and has produced Emmy-winning documentaries. He is director of the Greek Theater of New York and head of Mythic Media, a performing arts laboratory. Skipitaris has directed productions of Greek classics and plays by Anton Chekhov, Tennessee Williams, George Bernard Shaw, Neil Simon, Ira Levin and others. He is founder and director of Theatron, a not-for-profit Greek-American performing arts center in New York City. Simonidesâ€™ mask was constructed by Izquierdo Studios, Ltd. His costume was executed by Wallace G. Lane, Jr. Ven Voisey's site-specific interactive installation at Topia Arts Center is part of "An Artist is a Person in your Neighborhood", a series of exhibitions by Northern Berkshire artists, made possible in part by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Space from CAC, Images Cinema, & Topia Arts Center was also donated by each respective organization. This will be the third benefit performance produced by Topia Arts Center to raise money for the renovation of the old Adams Theater at 27 Park Street. Following standing ovations at the Tony Kushner reading by Marcia Gay Harden, David Strathairn and Ajay Naidu in February, Topia Arts Center opened the doors to the old theater space for the first time in 40 years with a door opening ceremony and more standing ovations for the Nimble Arts Troupe composed of former members of Cirque du Soleil and Ringling Brothers. Plato's Apology of Socrates will be the final 2005 benefit concert and the last chance to experience the theater at its most foundational stage. Opportunities for giving will continue with a silent auction and wine and beer tastings hosted by Cafe Topia, where you can continue to enjoy intimate live performances every weekend through mid-December.

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Berkshire County to Elect DA, Governor, More in Primary Election

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
11:01AM / Monday, August 10, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield and beyond will elect a Massachusetts governor, attorney general, district attorney for Berkshire County, and other positions in the 2026 state election.

The City Council OK’d the issuance of the State Primary Election warrant, to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and designated polling locations, hours, and police details.

The early voting period for the state primaries will be Aug. 22-28, while early voting for the Nov. 3 state election will be held Oct. 17-30.

In the primary election, voters choose the candidates they prefer for a political party to nominate in the general election held on Nov. 3.

The following positions will be on the primary ballot:

Senator in Congress for the Commonwealth
Governor for the Commonwealth
Lieutenant Governor for the Commonwealth
Attorney General for the Commonwealth
Secretary of State for the Commonwealth
Treasurer of State for the Commonwealth
Auditor for the Commonwealth
Representative in Congress for the First District
Governor's Councillor for the Eighth District
Senator in General Court for the Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden Districts
Representative in General Court for the Second Berkshire District
District Attorney for Berkshire County
Register of Probate for the Berkshire Middle District

There are no challengers on the Democratic primary ballot for the re-election of the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor.

On the Republican primary ballot, Michael Minogue of Hamilton and Brian Shortsleeve or Barnstable are vying for the gubernatorial nomination to take on Maura Healey in November; there are no other GOP primary races involving the Berkshires.

As there are no Republican nominees on the primary ballot for secretary of state or auditor, and no independent running in the general election, meaning the primary will essentially determine the winner in those two elections.

For U.S. senator, Edward Markey is being challenged by Seth Moulton in the Democratic primary; the winner will face off against John Deaton of Bolton, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary.

For the Massachusetts 1st District representative in Congress, Richard Neal is being challenged by Jeromie Whalen of South Hadley; the winner will face off against independent Nadia Milleron of Sheffield.

Closer to home, Paul Mark is unchallenged for state Senate and Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Leigh Davis for state representatives in the Democratic primary, but John Barrett III is being challenged by Andrew Fitch in the 1st Berkshire District.

Tara Jacobs of North Adams is being challenged as District 8 Governor's Councillor by Michael Fenton of Springfield.

There are no Republican or independent candidates for these seats so the winners will essentially be determined by the Democratic primary.

Polling locations for Pittsfield's 7 wards are as usual; polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. during the primaries on Sept. 1.

Pittsfield polling locations: