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's Images Cinema Set for May 22 Reopening

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:28AM / Friday, May 01, 2026

Construction work on the main screen room at Images is seen through a hole cut for a to-be-installed projector.

 

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Images Cinema will be making up for lost time when the non-profit venue reopens this month after a major renovation and redesign.

 

"First Look," a two-week festival screening some of the biggest films of the last year, will usher in a new era for the century-old Spring Street venue.

 

The Oscar winner for Best Picture is just one of more than a dozen films that will be shown during the festival, which will run from May 22 through June 4.

 

"After a long, cold winter, we're so excited to fully spring back into action at Images," Executive Director Dan Hudson said in a news release. "What better way to celebrate with the community than by showing great films, some of which we have not yet been able to present?"

 

Images members will be able to see films ranging from "One Battle After Another" to "Zootopia 2" for free. Non-members will be able to attend for just $5 during the two-week festival.

 

The theater itself figures to be part of the draw.

 

After closing for renovations in October, Images will reopen with a new configuration, including a 70-seat main theater, an 18-seat second theater and a 15-seat lounge available for "intimate" screenings and events. The main screen will feature Dolby Atmos immersive sound and 4K laser projection. The second screen will have 7.1 surround sound and 2K laser projection.