Starlight Stage Presents 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Starlight Stage Youth Theatre will celebrate its 41st season with a stage adaptation of Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," directed by Brandon Burns, with performances at 7 p.m. Aug. 3-5 and 2 p.m. on Aug. 6 at the First Congregational Church on Main Street.
 
Moments before the earth is destroyed by a Vogon Construction Fleet, Ford Prefect manages to rescue his earthling friend Arthur Dent by hitching a ride on a series of alien spacecraft. Along the way they meet a variety of colorful characters – fjord specialist Slartibartfast, Zaphod Beeblebrox (voted "Worst Dressed Sentient Being in the Known Universe" seven consecutive times), Marvin the Paranoid Android, computers named Eddie and Deep Thought, Max Quordlepleen, Master of Ceremonies at Milliways, a pair of mice named Benjy and Frankie, and a pair of philosophers named Vroomfondel and Majikthise. They endure Vogon poetry, dine at the restaurant at the end of the universe, and discover the answer to life, the universe, and everything (if only they knew what the question was!)

While it is now an international multi-media phenomenon, "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy" had its genesis as a half-hour BBC Radio 4 comedy show, broadcasting six episodes in 1978. Adams later adapted the story to other formats, including stage shows, novels, comic book adaptations, a 1981 TV series, a 1984 computer game and 2005 feature film. This new stage adaptation was created for Starlight by Gail M. Burns, from Adams' 1978 radio scripts.

Tickets will be $10 adults, $7 children, available at the door.

Starlight has been directed by Robert Y. Burns and the Burns family of Williamstown since its inception in 1976. Starlight is the third-oldest continuously operating summer theater in Berkshire County, after the Berkshire Theatre Group and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. The company offers a hands-on theater experience to local youngsters ages 8-18.

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

 

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

 

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

 

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

 

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

 

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

 

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.