MELVILLE, HAUNTED
October 22-25, 29-30, 7 – 9 pm
Herman Melville’s historic home Arrowhead is the setting for Melville, Haunted, a performance presented by Berkshire History Theatre October 22-25, 29-30 and benefitting Berkshire County Historical Society educational programs and restoration projects. The play explores Melville’s complex, tormented genius from the perspective of those who best knew, loved, venerated and feared him. The performance moves through Arrowhead’s rooms, including the study where Melville penned Moby-Dick. Various characters from Melville’s life and books appear in each room. Refreshments and discussion with the playwright and cast follow. Performances begin at 7 pm; audience members must be able to climb one flight of stairs.
Tickets are $55 for BCHS members, $60 for non-members and available by using the BOOK NOW button.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Fanny Melville, Herman’s young daughter (portrayed by Samantha Blau)
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman’s close friend and confidant (portrayed by Adrian Alcala)
Augusta Melville, Herman’s sister and transcriptionist (portrayed by Sally Filkiins)
Maria Melville, Herman’s mother (portrayed by Mary Trev Thomas)
Fayaway, the romantic interest of the narrator, Tommo, in Melville’s debut 1846 novel, Typee (portrayed by Diane Arduini)
Herman Melville (portrayed by Richard Matturro)
Ishmael, the only crew member to survive the final destruction of the Pequod by the white whale (portrayed by Lisken Van Pelt Dus)
Starbuck, first mate on the ship Pequod (portrayed by Jeffrey Belitsky)
Sally Filkins was playwright-in-residence at BCHS from 2011 – 2015. She is the author of The Melville Trilogy – “Melville, Haunted; Melvilles & Morewoods; and Melville’s Women,” among other historic plays. Her company, Berkshire History Theatre was in residence at BCHS from 2011 – 2015. Melville, Haunted was originally written and performed in 2011 and performed at Arrowhead from that year through 2015. In 2026 it returns as a fundraising event benefitting BCHS.
This event is sponsored by Massachusetts Cultural Council and Greylock Federal Credit Union.