Drury Drama Team Production Takes on Salem Witch Trials

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Bridget Bishop, left, is accused of witchcraft in the Drury Drama Team production of 'Cry Innocent.' The interactive play is being staged Thursday and Friday night at 7 p.m.

Update: Friday night's performance has been moved to Saturday, May 3, at 7 p.m. because of a broken water main at the school.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Drury Drama Team investigates the Salem Witch Trials in the interactive "Cry Innocent: The People vs. Bridget Bishop" on Thursday and Friday, May 1 and 2.

Both shows are at 7 p.m.; tickets $8 for adults, and $5 for students and seniors.

The production, under the leadership of the team's new director Kathy Caton, takes place in a Salem courtroom in 1692. Bridget Bishop, an outgoing woman who is accused of practicing witchcraft as part of the vast witch hysteria at the time, is being examined for possible indictment.

As testimonies and discussions occur onstage, the story unfolds for the audience, which is encouraged to get involved. The audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions of the actors who are present in the scene.



In the end, it is the audience that chooses the fate of Bridget Bishop — she will be released or taken for further trial.

The play has been running continuously in Salem since the 1990s, usually starting off with Bridget being "arrested" in the street and brought into the courthouse. The actors remain in their roles during questioning as way to enlighten the audience to the ways and mores of early Colonial New England. The production as been

Playwright Mark Stevick will be in the house on Friday night and will offer a postshow lecture.


Tags: high school production,   playwright,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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