Berkshire History Theatre to Present 'I Am Pittsfield' at Arrowhead

03:56PM / Friday, August 07, 2015Print Story | Email Story

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.

Tags: arrowhead, historical, local theater, Melville,

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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