Reminder: Derby Historical Society to meet Sunday

DERBY - The Derby Historical Society will hold its Annual Meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday at First Congregational Church, 137 Derby Ave. 
Snow date is March 22. 

It will begin with a brief business portion to elect new officers and members of the Board of Directors, and an awards presentation.   

Admission is free; donations are gratefully accepted.

There will be a presentation regarding the restoration project of the Gen. David Humphreys House and Museum, located at 37 Elm St., Ansonia.  
Albert Misiewicz, Jr., DHS Building Committee Chair and John Poole, DHS Project Manager will discuss the project and proposed plan of action along with Mason Lord of Hudson Valley Preservation.

Membership renewals will be accepted at the door. Anyone interested in becoming a member is welcome to attend this meeting.

Refreshments will be served. 
For information call 203-735-1908 or info@derbyhistorical.org.

This is a press release from the Derby Historical Society, a regional historical society dedicated to preserving, maintaining, and celebrating the rich and varied history of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 
The Derby Historical Society welcomes all visitors and is also available to support researchers, school or other program needs.  
Staff offices are located at the Sarah Riggs Humphreys House, 37 Elm St., Ansonia. 

For more information, visit www.derbyhistorical.org  

Junior Honor Society inductees at Derby school applauded

St. Mary - St. Michael School in Derby inducted new members into the National Junior Honor Society today in St. Mary Church. The Honor Society members are pictured in the sanctuary with Linda Coppola, principal, the Rev. Janusz Kukulka, pastor, and Matthew Loman, faculty advisor. Newly inducted members are Aryanna Ryan, Michael Rizzitelli, Shannon Cobaugh, Emily Tokash, and Isabella Tufaro. / Contributed photo

School in Ansonia to stage 'Beauty and the Beast'

Save the date!  

'Hamlet: The Bad Quarto' on tap March 12 in Shelton

SHELTON - Valley Shakespeare Festival continues its “Shakespeare in the Bar” series at 7 p.m. March 12 at Porky’s Café, 50 Center St. with “Hamlet: The Bad Quarto.”

Most everyone knows Shakespeare’s iconic story of “Hamlet”, the tragic prince of Denmark, but few know the “Bad Quarto” version, or even what that designation means. Its significance has been debated for centuries, but Tom Simonetti, VSF’s Executive and Artistic Director, explains it this way:

“The ‘Bad Quarto’ may have been Shakespeare’s first draft of the play, or it may have been a pared down version for touring purposes, or it may have even been a pirated version. It is definitely shorter than the one we know and love, and audiences will see some exciting changes in the characters’ famous speeches, their allegiances and even in their names. It will definitely keep them on their toes!”

Despite these noticeable differences, the basic story of the play remains the same.

And although it is categorized as a Shakespearean tragedy, some of the changes have often left audiences laughing out loud. 

Simonetti concludes, “All great tragedy is a comedy in the end.”

Previous VSF “Shakespeare in the Bar” performances include last year’s “Macbeth” in March and their wildly successful Halloween adaptation of “Titus Andronicus” in October.

Tickets and reservations for the performance are on sale at VSF’s website, www.vsfestival.org or by calling 203-513-9446. 

The event will take place in the Café’s intimate upper-level bar venue and will begin at 6:15 p.m. with free pizza, courtesy of Porky’s.  

Admission is $10 per person in advance, $15 at the door and includes performance and pizza. 

Space is limited; advance purchase is recommended.


This is a press release from the Valley Shakespeare Festival, a non-profit theater company, fiscally-sponsored by Fractured Atlas, dedicated to bringing free Shakespeare to the communities of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.