AMHERST — Theater meets activism as the Valley Players, a nonprofit troupe, presents Lee Blessing’s “A Walk in the Woods,“ a Cold War-era drama, the proceeds of which will benefit the Amherst-based Peace Development Fund. Together, the two organizations aim to utilize the arts to highlight the impact of dialogue and empathy.
“We aim to produce plays that are nimble, meaningful, and accessible, and this play is definitely all three of those,” Matteo Pangallo, president of Valley Players, said of the production. “It’s a pressing, timely issue that the characters are discussing. It’s meaningful because of the stakes that they’re pursuing in their discussions, and then it’s nimble because it’s technically simple. We can focus on the story, characters, and dialogue, which is the real core drama.”
Pangallo went on to express that the partnership between Valley Players and the Peace Development Fund felt “natural” because Blessing released his play in 1980, and the fund was founded in 1981 by a group of peace activists. Half of the net ticket revenue will be donated to the Amherst-based fund.
“Arts are such an opportunity to hold up a mirror to what is happening in our current world, and I think it gives people the opportunity to discuss things in a way we might not have the words to do if we’re just talking to each other,” said Lora Wondolowski, Director of Advancement and Communications for the Peace Development Fund.
She added that this play serves as an opportunity for members of the community to come together and experience something that allows them to reflect on past events. She expects that people will start drawing parallels to what they’re seeing in the current political climate.
The play will be performed at First Congregational Church, 165 Main St in Amherst. The show starts at 7 p.m. on June 20–22 and June 27–28, and at 2:30 p.m. on June 29. Tickets are available on a pay-what-you-can scale, starting at $15, and can be purchased online at valleyplayers.org.
Seating is limited, so reservations to the showtime you wish to attend are strongly encouraged. A reservation guarantees admission, but seats are on a first-come, first-seated basis, and doors open for seating 30 minutes before curtain. The play runs approximately 2 hours, inclusive of a 15-minute intermission.
Valley Players is an all-volunteer community theater group dedicated to producing community theater that fosters a sense of community. Half of their net ticket revenue from shows and events is donated to other organizations in the area that share a similar theme to the event or show of the month.
Those interested in supporting or learning more about Valley Players or the Peace Developemnt Fund are encouraged to visit the organizations’ websites.
