Mr. Hall was a Bostonian who enlisted, who may have fought
at Bunker Hill. He was a voter, a
taxpayer, owned his own leather shop and a house in Boston. He got involved in advocacy for the rights of
Boston’s African American community, and founded the world’s first lodge of
black Masons, African Lodge No. 1, now named the Prince Hall Grand Lodge—the African
Lodge of the Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons of Boston. This was the world's first organized society
in America devoted to social, political, and economic improvement. He spoke out against slavery, and spoke out
against the lack of schools for black children, and created one in his own
home.
Thoreau or, Return to Walden
written by David Adkins
directed by Eric Hill
featuring David Adkins
at The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge
The Larry Vaber Stage
Previews: Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19
Press Opening/Opening Night: Saturday, June 20 at 8pm
Talkback: Monday, June 22 after 7pm performance
Closing: Saturday, July 11at 8pm
Tickets: Preview: $42
Tickets: A: $50
Sponsored by: Bobbie Hallig and Leah and Benjamin Barber
BUY TICKETS
Performance Dates
Thursday, June 18 at 7pm (Preview)
Friday, June 19 at 8pm (Preview)
Saturday, June 20 at 8pm (Opening)
Monday, June 22 at 7pm (Talkback)
Tuesday, June 23 at 7pm
Wednesday, June 24 at 7pm
Thursday, June 25 at 7pm
Friday, June 26 at 8pm
Saturday, June 27 at 2pm and 8pm
Monday, June 29 at 7pm
Tuesday, June 30 at 7pm
Wednesday, July 1 at 7pm
Thursday, July 2 at 2pm and 7pm
Friday, July 3 at 8pm
Saturday, July 4 at 2pm
Monday, July 6 at 7pm
Tuesday, July 7 at 7pm
Wednesday, July 8 at 7pm
Thursday, July 9 at 2pm and 7pm
Friday, July 10 at 8pm
Saturday, July 11 at 2pm and 8pm (Closing)
In this world premiere, longtime BTG Alum, David Adkins takes the stage as New England Transcendentalist, poet, and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau. BTG Artist, Eric Hill, who most recently wrote and directed Adkins in the wildly well-received Poe, will direct this production.
The writing of Henry David Thoreau comes to life in this dramatic and uplifting tale as he battles with himself, with his own thirst for blood and for the soul of our American conscience. It's 1859. The Union is on the verge of civil war over the issue of slavery. Passion, politics and prose collide on the shores of Walden Pond when beloved American naturalist and prophet of peaceful resistance learns that freedom fighter and abolitionist John Brown has been sentenced to hang. How did the beloved poet and naturalist, hero of children's books, inspirer of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., and writer of Walden and Civil Disobedience come to write, “I do not wish to kill nor to be killed, but I can foresee circumstances in which both these things would be by me unavoidable (A Plea for Captain John Brown).” When you come to your final moment, will you know that you have truly lived?
Includes brief nudity.
In partnership with The Bookstore in Lenox, MA, David Adkins will read excerpts from Thoreau or, Return to Walden on June 23 at 1pm in the store located at 11 Housatonic Street in Lenox. This event is free to attend and is open to the public.
On GROWING UP IN PRESCOTT - LOST TOWN OF QUABBIN:
Linda Carraway said...
What a wonderful story! My mother, nee Esther Lindell, and her family lived in Hardwick from 1919 until 1922, and I have always been fascinated (yet saddened) by the story of the lost towns.
Can you imagine my surprise when I read this and came upon the name of Marion Kelly? Miss Kelly was the principal of Pines School in Wilbraham when I was there in grades 3-5 (circa 1950-1953) and my mother, having attended Westfield Normal School, was the third grade teacher! Boy, was she hard on me!
Thank you for these memories. You can never know how many hearts and minds you will reach.
Linda Johnson Carraway, Tampa FL
On Starring Chester, CT - http://newenglandtravels.blogspot.com/2012/05/starring-chester-connecticut.html
I just watched the movie again last night and was looking for information on where they filmed it. It looks like several towns have claimed credit but after seeing your pictures it's obvious most of it was shot in Chester. I hope to get back that way and see it in person someday soon.
On the Hammersmith Farm:
Lynn Shoen said...
The month after Jackie died, I took my three young nieces from Nevada to Hammersmith Farm. It was owned by Camelot Gardens at the time, and was open to the public. Since the Rhode Island schools had not recessed for the summer, we had the entree house and grounds to ourselves for the day. The guides let us go wherever we wished, into Jackie's bedroom, her bathroom, the kitchen, the deck room, and the wonderful sun porch. It remains one of the most memorable days of our lives, since the house was truly a family home, and we felt so welcome. Lynn Shoen
On Brigham's:
Paul Fox said...
I'm the son of the last owner of Brigham's, Paul F. Fox. He operated the store from about 1948 until it closed in 1970. At that time the store was still somewhat successful, but my father correctly believed that he would have to establish branches in the suburbs as Forbes & Wallace and Stieger's were doing. He did not want to run such a large operation.
Paul G Fox
pfox500@gmail.com
On Forbes & Wallace - Springfield:
Helene Kelly said...
Thanks so much to all of you for keeping the 'old downtown Springfield alive. I am the niece of George Legos, the former owner and key cook of the Nuttie Goodie Tearoom. He just passed away this morning at the age of 80 from a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a wonderful uncle and a great man. So many people have fond memories of my family's downtown Springfield landmark, the Nuttie Goodie Tearoom. Helene
February
17, 2013
On Iwo Jima Memorial - New Hampshire:
Anonymous said...
This article is rubbish. I am Rene Gagnon's grandson and this article seems to pull untrue information out of its ass. My grandfather never tried to capitalize on anything, he was never an alcoholic (who writes this stuff?) He wasn't embittered, and he never worked a menial job... in fact he owned a travel agency with my grandmother.
May 25, 2012
tammy chalbeck said...
Just found out by my brother that Rene Arthur Gagnon was my grandmothers uncle..makes me proud to know that I am related to this man...wish I had heard the same stories from my grandmother that my brother did but I was young...my grandmothers name was Lillian Gagne...would love to know more about him and wish she was alive to tell me! Thank you Tammy Chalbeck
May 28, 2012
On The Ames Mfg. Company:
Yuki said...Hi, I loved your article. Very informative and well executed. I have 2 Ames Swords and was wondering if you know what year the business was sold to Ohio and who the company was it was sold to? Thanks! Still enjoying your article many years after it was written.September 27, 2013
Thomas Fowler said...Thank you so much for this well researched and interesting article on the Ames family and its swords. We are a Southern family near Danville, and have an Ames non-commissioned officer's sword...captured, of course. This is beautiful research, well presented. Thos. B. Fowler August 27, 2013
Mrs. LaFlamme said...
Fascinating article. I grew up in Chicopee and traveled past the old Ames Manufacturing Co. on my way to high school every day. I learned so much from your well documented article.
August 16, 2012
