Stratton Players staging glimpse of past with ‘Artists and Ancestors’
» Stratton Players in partnership with the Fitchburg Historical Society celebrate its 97 th season with a unique, original and live theatre production: “Artists and Ancestors — A Dramatic Re-enactment and Walking Tour at Forest Hill Cemetery” in Fitchburg on April 17 and 18.
“Artists and Ancestors” will present a variety of people who lived in Fitchburg in the 19th and 20th centuries and were instrumental in establishing arts and culture in this historic city.
Characters to be portrayed include: Helen Stratton (Carolyn Salter) and Fay Crocker (Carol Allard Vancil), founders of the Amateur Work Shop which later became Stratton Players; Cyrus Thurston, Overseer of the Poor and beloved “Music Master” of Fitchburg, (played by Joel Arnold) Sybil Deane Fairbanks, painter (Nyk Fischer); Eleanor Norcross, artist and founder of Fitchburg Art Museum (Alia Qasim); H. M. Francis, architect (Phil Cormier); Sculptor Herbert Adams (John Williams) and his wife, sculptor/poet/art critic Adeline Pond Adams (Amy Newberg), Other performers include:
Sally Cragin, Jim Bargnesi, and Jen Knight.
This original production is written and directed by Sally Cragin, stage-managed by Mary Phillpotts, with costumes by Valerie Schillawski.
“For the past year, the performing arts have literally slumbered while the Lockdown proceeded,” Cragin said. “Creating a theatre piece which showcases the brilliant people in Fitchburg who created lasting art and cultural institutions is pure joy.”
“The Fitchburg Historical Society is using limitations imposed by the pandemic as a spur
to creating new collaborations,” said Susan Navarre, Executive Director of the Fitchburg Historical Society. “We are thrilled that the talented Stratton performers are going to bring some fascinating Fitchburg characters to life — in a safe outdoor setting.”
The performances will be Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18, with shows at 2 and 3:30 p.m., rain or shine. There will be walking on a gentle upward incline. Audience members are required to wear masks and social distance. Enter the Forest Hill Cemetery at the Mt. Elam Street entrance. Tickets are FREE, but reservations are required. Donations are welcome, and will be shared with Forest Hill Cemetery. The production is supported by Fitchburg Cultural Council, Fitchburg Art Museum, Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale, and Bosk Funeral Home.