CONWAY — Live music and a half-dozen comedic short plays will be in Conway the weekend before the town’s 250th anniversary celebration.
A free theater and music festival, titled “Six By Six By Six,” will feature performances on Friday and Saturday, June 9 and 10, at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Silverthorne Theater is presenting the plays along with the town’s 250th anniversary committee, which is funding the event.
“Audience members should come early to claim their seats and enjoy pre-play music, burgers, hotdogs, coffee, soft drinks, cookies and snacks,” according to organizers, noting that it’s “BYOB,” and the venue is fully accessible.
The event is expected to last for about an hour and a half. Food will be provided by the Sportsman’s Club.
The theater festival was spearheaded by Conway resident Michael Haley, who will also direct two plays, “Best Daddy” by Shel Silverstein and a “world premiere of his own work, ‘Betty Baker’s Buttermilk Biscuit Barn,’ or ‘B-5,’ with a large cast of local actors.”
Haley’s local cast includes Ann Steinhauser, Mike Currie, Marvin Shedd, Lorraine Boyden, Joan Haley, Justus Conant, Chris Devine, John Reese and Troy David Mercier.
The remaining four plays are “I’m Herbert,” a two-actor play directed by Gill resident David Rowland, who plays “Herbert” alongside fellow Gill resident Sheila Heffernon; “On Break at L.L. Bean,” a more serious play directed by Hannah Simms of Hartford, Conn.; “Mrs. Sorken,” a one-actress play directed by Turners Falls resident Rebecca Daniels; and “Best in Class,” a comedy by Worcester playwright Ann Marie Shea — in which two of the actors play dogs — directed by Northampton resident Brianna Sloane.
According to organizers, construction of the stage was made possible through the Conway Sportsman’s Club and Conway’s 250th Committee. Silverthorne Theater Company recruited directors and actors and provided technical and public relations assistance. John Iverson of the theater company donated the lighting instruments.
Those who’d like to attend are asked to contact Festival Producer Joan Haley with a head-count at 413-369-4301 or email jzinnie@comcast.net.
The following week, from Thursday to Sunday, June 16 to 18, other events will be held through the weekend in the town’s center.
Admission will be free. Food and other amenities will be on sale.
You can reach Andy Castillo
at: acastillo@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 263
On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo