Mac-Haydn Favorite Karla Shook plays the Narrator in “Joseph…”

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Karla Shook is shown in the role of Narrator in the 2003 Mac-Haydn Theatre production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat”.
Chatham, NY - Mac-Haydn Theatre favorite Karla Shook joins a “very talented cast” for three upcoming performances of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat” by KJK Productions at The Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown, NY. Shook reprises the role of Narrator, which she first performed in May, 2003, at The Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham. “It’s been my dream role,” Shook said. “I was grateful to get it last year at the Mac-Haydn, and thrilled to be able to do it again.” The splendid coat worn by Chad Heuschober in the role of Joseph on the Mac-Haydn stage last spring will reappear in KJK’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat”. Jimm Halliday, who has served as costume designer for more than 100 Mac-Haydn Theatre shows, is costume designer for the “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat” by KJK Productions. Andrew Gmoser and Kevin Gleason, Mac-Haydn lighting design veterans, will handle those duties. With rehearsals currently underway, Shook said she’s excited by working with the musical director, James Cunningham, 23, who will graduate next May with a masters in piano performance from New York University. “He’s brilliant,” she said. “He’s challenged me and been very complimentary. I have amazing respect for his musical genius.” Shook is a 1997 graduate of the Ichabod Crane school district, and a 2001 graduate of Shenendoah Conservatory with a BFA in musical theatre and a vocal performance certificate. She is the daughter of Jerry and Abby Shook of Stockport. Performances of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat” are 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 20, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 21. Call KJK Productions at 914-962-6665, or visit www.kjkproductions.org for more information and to purchase tickets.
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Pittsfield School Committee to Again Vote on PHS Report Release

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee will again discuss releasing a redacted version of the PHS report after confusion over a March vote. 

On Wednesday, member Ciara Batory, who has been vocal about releasing last year’s investigation into allegations of staff misconduct at Pittsfield High School, demanded a date for its release to the public.  It was indicated that the item can be put on the next meeting's agenda. 

"I am done playing the game. The public wants a date of when the redacted PHS report will be released, and I will not stop until I get a date," she said before a five-minute recess was called on the meeting. 

Last school year, five past and present PHS staff members were investigated for alleged misconduct, and allegations were found to be "unsupported," according to executive summaries released by the last term's committee. 

The School Committee agenda for its March 25 meeting included a "request by Ciara Batory to release the May 2025 Pittsfield High report with required redactions." It was reported that there were threats of legal action if the redacted report were released. 

Batory on Wednesday said she did not request that agenda item, and that the motion had already passed. Mayor Peter Marchetti, also chair, said they voted in January to review the redacted version, not to release it. 

Batory played the motion that passed in January from her phone: 

"I move the committee vote to release a PHS investigation report in a redacted form by February 18, 2026, and I'd like to add to that the School Committee reviews it before its release to the public, to make sure that there is enough to present to the public."

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