THE PLAY
The Belle of Amherst, based on the writings and
poetry of Emily Dickinson,
was written in 1976 by William Luce and first starred Julie Harris.
Harris won her fifth Tony Award as Best Actress for her portrayal
of Emily Dickinson. Time Magazine called it "an intrepid
exploration of the heart, mind, and soul." The PBS production received
an Emmy nomination and two Christopher Awards. The play's album
received a Grammy Award.
THIS PRODUCTION
This production, directed by Deborah Wright Houston,
features Renee Bucciarelli, a critically acclaimed New York actress
hailing from
Colebrook, New Hampshire, as the quintessential 19th-century New
England poet, Emily
Dickinson. The play takes place in the Dickinson's front parlor.
Venturing out of her mysterious and
self-imposed seclusion, Emily Dickinson addresses the audience directly
as her guests, entertaining them with tea and black cake, town gossip
and poetry.
This
production
is beautifully set in the intimate and historically evocative Heald
Room
of the Littleton Community Center, a Victorian landmark building
located in
the heart of Littleton, New Hampshire, just a few blocks from
the Littleton Opera House.
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
As benefit to her hometown's Great North Woods
Center for the Arts, Ms. Bucciarelli will perform July 22 at
the Congregational Church in Colebrook. This performance will feature
the
paintings and poetry of local artist Viola Sutton, age 98,
whom Bucciarelli first met as her first grade teacher. Learn
more about Viola Sutton by clickiing on the side bar menu.