The Wharton One-acts: Roman Fever & The Other Two

12:00AM / Wednesday, July 10, 2002Print Story | Email Story

Shakespeare & Company brings back two of its most popular Edith Wharton adaptations to make up this year's Wharton One-Acts in Spring Lawn Theatre's rotating repertory: "Roman Fever" & "The Other Two." Both plays are adapted by Dennis Krausnick and are directed by Normi NoÃ«l. Performances run July 4 - September 1 (all 2 p.m. matinees Wednesdays through Saturdays) in the elegant 101-seat theatre, which is nestled inside the salon of the sprawling 1904 Berkshire summer cottage. The Spring Lawn performances include tea and cookies in the adjacent dining room and outside on the stone terrace, overlooking the elegant Lenox Mountain vista. Call the box office for tickets and information at (413) 637-3353 or visit the website at www.shakespeare.org. Press Opening is Friday, July 12 at 2 pm, which will be followed by a complimentary dessert reception for ticket-holders and cast members. This season marks Normi's 19th year with the Company, where she has directed An International Episode, Jack and Jill, All's Well That Ends Well, Women of Will part III, Off the Map, Betrayal, Songs from the Heart, Fortune and Misfortune, Virginia, Hamlet, and Mercy. Other directing credits include Mixed Company (Talking With) and Berkshire Public Theatre (On the Verge). Normi also creates and performs original work with veterans and with womens' groups. S&Co founding member and Director of Training Dennis Krausnick has acted, written, directed, and taught with the Company for 25 years. He has been instrumental in the creation and development of the Company's internationally-acclaimed training programs and has adapted or created more than 30 of Edith Wharton's works, including several by her contemporary, Henry James. Krausnick is currently preparing a volume of Edith Wharton stage adaptations for publication, and he will be feted later this season in the Company's Edith/Dennis Celebration with one-day stagings of his Ethan Frome, Summer, and The Fiery Rain. The Wharton One-Acts feature Company actors Michael Burnet, Andrew Borthwick-Leslie, Ethan Flower (all of whom are also appearing in The Valley of Decision), Diane Prusha, Corinna May, and Mark Woollett. A turn-of-the-century summer in New York City sets the backdrop for The Other Two, where Alice and Reginald Waythorn have reluctantly returned from their honeymoon -- early. Edith Wharton soon arrives and ushers not only the Waythorns into their home, but the audience into the theatre, where Alice's daughter, Lily (from a previous marriage) is deathly ill with typhoid fever. However, no sooner does Lily's crisis abate when her father, Abraham Haskett (Alice's first husband) appears on the scene. Haskett then takes poor Reginald, once a confirmed bachelor and who finally took the plunge and married Alice (the woman of his dreams), on an emotional roller-coaster ride that tests not only his stamina but his own judgement as Alice's second husband (Gus Varick, a naughty but prominent socialite) also shows up. It is from this multi-spouse past that poor Reginald attempts to disentangle himself and escape from becoming part of Alice's collection of human history. "Dennis's adaptation of The Other Two is fascinating and very unusual," says NoÃ«l. "It is set in a society that abhors divorce, so what arises are prickly and extremely funny encounters. It's a wonderful glimpse into the lives of these women and men who still attempt to choose love, even in the face of a society tempered in rigid rules." As the second act of the double-bill, Roman Fever jumps ahead 20 years with a wry and poignant look into the lives of two women, Alida Slade and Grace Ansley, both scions of Old New York stock, both recently widowed, close friends for many years, and both on vacation in Rome with their two teen-aged daughters. Corinna May plays Alida to Diane Prusha's Grace. One late summer afternoon in Italy, they are sharing fine wine and memories on the terrace of a restaurant that overlooks the ruins of Rome's famous Forum. Their daughters have gone off for the evening with handsome Italian aviators, leaving the women to reminisce about their youth, the paths their lives have taken, their missed opportunities, and, as Alida downs more wine, the secrets and passions that have been unspoken -- until now. "There is a reason why this play has been done so frequently," adds NoÃ«l. "S&Co has produced it several times over the past 20 years. I remember Tina Packer and the late, great Frances West having a go at it back in 1990. It's the twists and turns of it that are so powerful and dramatic as these characters cover and reveal and make this short story and play the little masterpiece it is."

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

What do the current owners love about this home?

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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