Great Barrington Public Theater Hosts Benefit Reading of 'Amchitka'

10:13AM / Wednesday, July 16, 2025Print Story | Email Story

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Great Barrington Public Theater adds programming to its 2025 Summer Season with a new reading of Mark St. Germain's latest play, "Amchitka."

The first staged reading of this new play will take place on July 23, 2025 at 7:00pm. Tickets will cost $30; all proceeds from the reading will go to support GB Public's legacy of New Work and its playwriting development program.

"Amchitka" will be directed by Barrington Stage Company's Founding Artistic Director, Julianne Boyd and will star Debra Jo Rupp alongside James Barry and Sarah Keyes.

Mark St. Germain describes Amchitka as a thriller. The play takes place on the deserted island of Amchitka, once used for underground nuclear testing. Three visiting scientists find that their boat ride back to the mainland has been canceled and communications sporadic. Something has entered our solar system that is speeding toward earth. An asteroid, a comet - or a craft? Amchitka confronts an otherworldly danger that might have already arrived.

Debra Jo Rupp will star as Moira Adams, a senior DOE (Department of Energy) staff member who leads the three man team. Sarah Keyes will play botanist Connie Carrol and James Barry will play Nate Platski, a botanist borrowed from NASA for this assignment.

Artistic Director Jim Frangione said: "We're very excited to present a reading of this brand new play by one of our great friends, and newest board member, Mark St. Germain—and excited to have Julianne, Debra Jo, Sarah, and James join us in this unique collaboration of well-known Berkshire theater artists."

Following the reading, Mark St. Germain and Julianne Boyd will take the stage for Chat GBPT with the audience about Amchitka, the creation of the piece, and the importance of readings in the development of new work.

GB Public presents at the McConnell Theater in the Daniel Arts Center, five minutes from downtown Great Barrington on the campus of Bard College at Simon's Rock, 84 Alford Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Tickets to the new season are on sale on the GB Public Theater website and by phone 413-372-1980.

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

RIBCO Supply

Check out our great lineup of Boss Plows, and spreaders. 2 Locations Clarksburg & Pittsfield!

ribcosupply.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

11:41AM / Friday, December 19, 2025

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond.

According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond.

The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million.

"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.

The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.

The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.

The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here.

View Full Story