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'American Five' dramatizes the debates between Martin Luther King Jr., his four confidantes, and his wife, Coretta Scott King, in the months leading up to the March on Washington.

King and Confidantes Debate Hope and Change in 'American Five'

By Alan PetrucelliSpecial to iBerkshires
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STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Fiction and fact meld in the regional premiere of "The American Five," now playing at the Larry Vaber Stage of the Unicorn Theatre. 
 
The play takes a fictionalized look at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his four closest confidants in the months leading up to the famed March on Washington on Aug. 28, 1963. The quintet, through differing opinions, animated arguments, constant threats of violence and a late-night meal featuring challah bread and wine, become a family as they prepare for the history-making march that galvanized the Civil Rights movement.
 
Most of us know the King saga. It's the second act in which playwright Chess Jakobs' genius shines. Prejudice runs rampant here: Is Stanley Levison, a Jewish lawyer from New York who shows up in Montgomery to join the fight for racial equality and "to repair the world," viewed as white? Jewish? Both? And march strategist and organizer Bayard Rustin experiences his own fight for civil rights because of his homosexuality. Here, Jakob explores prejudice on different levels.
 
The cast is top-notch with many emotional highs. As King, Rashun Carter (who would look more like his character if he had a full moustache) and Sydney Elisabeth (as Coretta Scott King) are at their best during a scene that bounces between humor and poignancy. 
 
She questions her husband about his meeting with President John F. Kennedy; he is angry and refuses to discuss it. "There is no 'you' out there, without a 'me,' in here," she says, leading King to agree that because of her self-worth and unwavering devotion to him, she is "Coretta Scott Queen."
 
As Clarence Jones, King's personal counsel, Brett Diggs has assurance and dignity; Harry Smith's portrayal of lawyer Stanley Levison, is nothing short of extraordinary. Destan Owens' performance as gay Bayard Rustin is the play's most outstanding performance as he defends his relations with men: "You don't get to judge me!" he tells King. "I'm just trying to find love."
 
"The American Five" is tightly directed by Gerry McIntyre; the historic period projections and footage/designed by Alex Hill remind people that there are dreams, such as hope and change, that are still being fought.
 
"The American Five" continues at The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge through July 11. For more tickets or more information, call 413-997-4444 or berkshiretheatregroup.org.
 
SPOTLIGHT ON: HARRY SMITH
 
Hours before a performance, we spoke with Harry Smith, who plays Jewish lawyer Stanley Levison in "The American Five." In the play, Smith, who lives in Philadelphia, hides his British accent (he was born in Sussex, England) but offstage, we might have been overseas. Here, he chats about Berkshire audiences, James Taylor and the best bar to find a Manhattan.
 
What do the Berkshires and the area offer that Philadelphia doesn't offer?
I didn't expect such a beautiful place. When I first came here three years ago I didn't know what to expect — the warmth of the people, the beautiful weather, the scenery, and I was blown away by the theater community. Last year, there was an evening of sea shanties at Arrowhead, Herman Melville's house! Philadelphia doesn't offer such incredible things. I first came here three years ago and am still overwhelmed by the audiences. They are curious and intelligent and want to hear different stories. I've gotten more standing ovations here than anywhere else.
 
When a matinee is over, what do you do?
I love hiking. After last Sunday's matinee, I jumped in the car and drove to Monument Mountain in Great Barrington. There is a small parking lot and I hiked 600 feet. It took about 90 minutes and the view of the Housatonic River Valley was stunning. It was better than going to the Y in Pittsfield.
 
What are other favorite spots?
The small bar at the Red Lion Inn. I think it's called Widow Bigham's Tavern. It's a favorite. They serve terrific cocktails. If I was there right now, I'd order a Manhattan. If I'm in Pittsfield, I like Patrick's Pub. If I am hungry, I head to 101 Restaurant & Bar, the restaurant on the second floor of the Holiday Inn in Pittsfield. They serve Southern-style food that's great.
 
This is your first summer here. Planning a visit to Tanglewood?
We're off the Fourth of July, and I would love to get there. James Taylor is playing and I'm a fan. I saw him in Philly about 10 years ago, and I am ready to hear those songs again.

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Pryor & Peacock's Whimsical Furniture Environmentally Friendly

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
 

The company uses digital printing to create the upholstery fabric, saving water and saving vintage furniture from ending up in landfills.

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — A unique furniture store has popped up on Elm Street this month.

Mom-and-daughter store Pryor & Peacock is hosting the pop-up storefront from Aug. 13 to Aug. 25 at 6 Elm. The New Marlborough business is co-founded by Rosalina Wright and Luca Shapiro, who is also the creative director. 

Their online shop was created in 2024 but they wanted people to see the pieces in person, so they're renting the space for a limited time before a long-term tenant moves in.

The store sources prints to create unique fabrics and reimagines vintage and antique furniture acquired at auctions, local shops, and online.

"We source prints from all over the world that date from the late 1600s up through mid-20th century, and Luca turns those prints into fabric by manipulating them, scanning them, oftentimes has to add or subtract things, and then we manufacture the fabric using only digital printing, which is very environmentally friendly, unlike traditional textile printing," Wright said.

Upholstering the furniture can take weeks of work. Shapiro looks for the perfect design for each piece and, if need be, uses Adobe Photoshop to extend the art work to fit or enhance the print.

"One of the most difficult parts comes in marrying the fabric to a piece of furniture because we only use antique and vintage frames also to be earth friendly, and they're also more beautiful and durable than new furniture," Wright said. "So the image has to go with the furniture, so that takes a lot of work."

One of Pryor & Peacock's missions is to be environmentally friendly. Digital printing doesn't use the same amount of water as traditional textile productions do nor does it contaminate water with ink according to their website.

Not only are they saving water, but they are saving furniture from going into the landfill while also using more durable furniture that doesn't break as easily as current pieces. They started their business to create something unique and to help the environment together.

"It's creating something nobody else is doing. People can't continue to buy throwaway furniture. Six percent of American landfills is furniture, and digital printing not only opens up the possibility of being able to put unique images on a piece of furniture, but it also is, as I said, environmentally friendly. So, for us, the excitement is to take an old East Lake settee that somebody's going to store in their barn and forget about, and make it something completely new and surprising," Wright said.

They hope their furniture helps bring a pop of fun to someone's home.

"We think our furniture is very whimsical and surprising, and most furniture today is oatmeal colored couches and gray neutral chairs, and it's boring," she said.

The two named their business after their mothers' maiden names to honor them and believe the name reflects their pieces.

Shapiro works in interior design outside of the business and the two liked working together and thought it would be great to start a business together. Shapiro says they can work well together and that her and her mother, Wright, has flipped houses before and have the same eye for design.

"So it's very easy for us to work together. When we see something, generally we agree on whether it works or doesn't work on a piece. We agree on the color schemes and that sort of thing. So it's very fun and fulfilling to work together," Shapiro said. 

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