PVPA theater to take stage

SOUTH HADLEY — The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts (PVPA) Charter Public School Theater Department will present “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812,” by Dave Malloy. The show will run Feb. 2 and 3, with performances beginning at 7 p.m., and Feb. 4 with a matinee performance beginning at 2 p.m. in PVPA’s main stage theater at 15 Mulligan Drive, South Hadley.

Tickets available online at www.pvpa.org and at the door. Ticket prices are as follows: $10 general admission; $7 military and seniors; $5 PVPA alumni, and $3 students. This performance is part of PVPA’s second semester production calendar, available at www.pvpa.org.

“Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” is a sung-through musical adaptation of a 70-page segment of Leo Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” written by composer/lyricist Dave Malloy. It is based on part 8 of Tolstoy’s novel, focusing on Natasha’s romance with Anatole and Pierre’s search for meaning in his life.

PVPA’s production is directed by David Cavallin, with musical direction by Jeremy Milligan. Choreography by PVPA students Henry DiNapoli, PVPA ‘25 and Legacy Moye, PVPA ‘25 with David Cavallin. Assistant Director is Cadence Maldonado, PVPA ‘25. Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals, www.concordtheatricals.com.

UMass prof lands $2.65M for Slavery North Initiative

AMHERST — The University of Massachusetts Amherst has been awarded a $2.65 million grant from the Mellon Foundation to expand its Slavery North Initiative, led by founding director Charmaine A. Nelson, provost professor of art history.

Slavery North is a one-of-a-kind academic and cultural destination where scholars, thinkers and artists research and build community that transforms society’s understanding of the neglected histories of trans-Atlantic slavery in Canada and the U.S. North. This is the largest Mellon grant awarded to UMass Amherst to date.

The three-year grant will support the development of Slavery North’s fellowship program for graduate and undergraduate students, a three-person staff, a lecture series, Black History Month panels, an academic conference, an edited academic book, a podcast series, workshops, art and cultural exhibitions, and a historical database that houses primary sources for the study of slavery in Canada and the U.S. North.

Launched in 2020, Slavery North promotes racial inclusion, belonging, understanding and allyship that improve people’s lives through research and education, cultural activities, artistic production and critical conversation around difficult issues and histories. It aims to bolster public understanding of the social and cultural impacts of trans-Atlantic slavery and its legacies, including how that history manifests in anti-Black racism today.

Holyoke High theater to present ‘Noises Off’

HOLYOKE — The Holyoke High School Theater Company will present three performances of Michael Frayn’s “Noises Off” on Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m.

“Noises Off” takes a fond look at the follies of theatre folk, whose susceptibility to out-of-control egos, memory loss, and passionate affairs turn every performance into a high-risk adventure. This play-within-a-play captures a touring theatre troupe’s production of “Nothing On” in three stages: dress rehearsal, the opening performance, and a performance toward the end of a debilitating run.

Under the leadership of Theater & Media teacher Bevan Brunelle, Holyoke High’s Theater Company is an after-school club that is an extension of the Performing & Media Arts Academy at the school. The cast and crew of this production involves students from grades 9-12.

All performances will be staged in the John F. Sears Auditorium at Holyoke High, 500 Beech St. in Holyoke.

College Church event to explore faith, slavery relationship

NORTHAMPTON — College Church will host “Black History: From Christian Abolitionism to White Fragility,” on Feb. 11 at 1 pm. The church is located at 58 Pomeroy Terrace.

The event aims to explore the relationship between faith and slavery in the context of American history. A variety of presentations will delve into the complex intersection of Christianity, abolitionism and the concept of white fragility, fostering meaningful dialogue within our community.

Guest speakers will include state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton; renowned singer Evelyn Harris of Sweet Honey in the Rock; and local history librarian Elise Bernier-Feely.

College Church is a diverse, interdenominational Protestant church just steps from downtown Northampton founded in 1972.