Adams Theater and Life Jacket Theatre Co. Present 'The Big Gay Speakeasy'

07:13AM / Monday, June 09, 2025Print Story | Email Story

ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Theater and Life Jacket Theatre Co. will present "The Big Gay Speakeasy" on June 13 and 14.

The theatrical event is described as a time-traveling experience featuring music from the 1920s-1930s that is for, by, and about the LGBTQ+ community.

The two performances are a project of Life Jacket Theatre, a New York City-based theater company that states its focus is on presenting "undertold stories." The shows are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are available through the Adams Theater website.

Attendees can expect an atmosphere reminiscent of the Prohibition era, including an entry password, a live jazz band, and singalongs led by Broadway performers. The organizers suggest wearing "glittery attire" and indicate that Prohibition-themed cocktails and treats will be available. Travis Russ, Artistic Director of Life Jacket Theatre, stated that the show is centered on "leading with love."

Life Jacket Theatre collaborates with communities to produce events where individuals share personal experiences. Their staged productions have addressed topics such as the "Fag Ward," a segregated unit at a New York City penitentiary for inmates convicted of homosexuality in the 1930s.

Russ commented on the significance of acknowledging the past.

"It can be a revolutionary act to acknowledge the past. And we, too, today, can sing and dance and love. The irony of a speakeasy is that they were spaces to go be yourself behind closed doors," he said. "We're embracing that idea, and erasing the shame some individuals are trying to keep around the LGBTQIA+ community by putting them onstage, and creating a communal experience. To me, that is a revolutionary act."

Life Jacket Theatre is scheduled to return to the Berkshires in August for "The Storytelling Project," described as a story-slam event featuring local individuals sharing personal stories.

"The Big Gay Speakeasy" is the second speakeasy-themed event hosted by the theater, following a series in 2024 with Great Barrington Public Theater that focused on female figures of the 1920s.

Life Jacket Theatre Co. has received nominations for a Drama Desk Award, two American Theatre Wing Henry Hewes Design Awards, seven New York Innovative Theatre Awards, and eleven BroadwayWorld Awards. Their work has been recognized as Critic's Picks by various publications and was named the "#1 Show at the Edinburgh Fringe" by Fest Magazine.

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Cheshire Speed Limits Reduced, Code of Conduct Mulled

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
05:24AM / Tuesday, August 11, 2026

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Some streets will soon be slower for cars with the Department of Public Works replacing the speed limit signs in response to community concerns.

The town adopted Chapter 90, Section 17C to reduce some local road speed limits to 25 mph. Twenty-three streets are approved by the state; signs are ordered from the state Department of Transportation and should arrive within a couple weeks.

DPW Director Corey McGrath told the Selectmen at last Tuesday's meeting that the department had received concerns from residents wanting people to be slower on the following streets:

Church Street
East Main Street
portions of Wells Road
Main Street
Furnace Hill Road
Flaherty Road
Pit Road
Prospect Street
Dean Street
Richmond Street
School Street
Railroad Street
Depot Street
Richardson Street
5th Avenue
Meadowview Drive
Wood Lane
Dean Street Extension
portions of Ingalls Road
Devonshire Drive
Yorkshire Drive
Berkshire Drive
Wilshire Drive

Chair Michelle Francesconi asked McGrath to look into the signs solar-powered "slow down" signs. She also spoke about increasing problems with electric bicycles and similar devices.

Young people are going 30 to 40 mph, often on sidewalks, weaving between cars, cutting through private property and town property and riding in the road, she said, and brought up how other towns are creating bylaws to address these problems. Francesconi thought the board should look into it as well as a matter of public safety.

The state is currently revising related laws, so the board will see what the Legislature passes and then model bylaws on other communities.

Francesconi also said that since there is limited police coverage at night during most of the behavior, she suggested shifting some patrol hours to evenings to address youth riding behavior.

Later in the meeting, Francesconi also brought up code of conduct for town employees as she has been receiving numerous reports regarding professionalism, boundaries, confidentiality, and internal relationships and communication among town hall staff, department heads, and with the public.

She said town counsel has recommended adopting a code of conduct as well as providing training. After some discussion, the board decided to get a catalog of training options and identify mandatory and optional trainings. Members are also thinking of doing them in-person.

In other news, the Fire Department's rescue boat missing from the water because motor is broken and is in the process of being replaced.

There are two applicants in the running for the police chief position who will be doing the assessment center on Aug. 17. The Selectmen will get their resumes afterward and decide on interviews.

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