
Left to right: Michael Rhodes, Keith Kupferer, Tara Mallen and Katherine Mallen Kupferer during the talkback after the screening of “Ghostlight” at The Moviehouse in Millerton on July 2.
Natalia Zukerman
Left to right: Michael Rhodes, Keith Kupferer, Tara Mallen and Katherine Mallen Kupferer during the talkback after the screening of “Ghostlight” at The Moviehouse in Millerton on July 2.
MILLERTON — The Moviehouse in Millerton hosted a special July 2 screening of “Ghostlight,” a film that blurs the lines between fiction and reality blur in the most intimate of ways.
The screening was followed by an insightful talkback session with the cast, a family in the film and a family in real life.
Keith Kupferer (originally from Millerton), Tara Mallen, and their daughter, Katherine Mallen Kupferer, breathed life into their characters with a familiarity, authenticity and depth that perhaps only a real family could, transforming their on-screen interactions into a genuine exploration of love, loss, and healing.
“Ghostlight” centers on Dan, a construction worker wrestling with the profound loss of his teenage son. Struggling to articulate his grief, Dan’s emotions manifest in frequent outbursts of rage, pushing him further away from his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Daisy.
In a twist of fate, he stumbles into a theater rehearsal and is coaxed into joining the cast. This unexpected involvement in the local production of “Romeo and Juliet” becomes a powerful mirror for Dan’s personal journey, allowing him to confront his grief and find solace.
Through the transformative power of theater, Dan discovers a renewed sense of community and purpose, slowly mending the fractured bonds with his family.
The title “Ghostlight” refers to the single light left burning in a theater after everyone leaves, serving both practical and superstitious purposes.
In the Q&A, Keith Kupferer explained, “It’s for practical reasons so that when someone comes in to turn on the house lights, they don’t fall off the edge of the stage. But in a more superstitious or folkloric sense, it’s to either appease the ghosts in the theater or to repel them, whichever way you want to look at it. Kelly (O’Sullivan, the screenwriter and co-director) looks at it as an appeasement. Sort of an invitation to come.”
Tara Mallen noted, “There are several ghostlights that appear throughout the film actually,” explaining that the recurring ghostlights act as beacons in the narrative’s darkness, guiding the characters and the audience alike.
During the talkback session, moderated by Michael Rhodes, artistic director of the Tangent Theatre Company in Tivoli, New York, the cast shared their experiences and behind-the-scenes stories. Rhodes, who has known Keith and Tara for nearly 35 years, expressed how surreal it was to see them in such a deeply personal project.
The family now lives in Chicago. Keith shared that being a family “made the job easier because we didn’t have to establish those relationships, they were already there.”
Describing the connection the audience feels from the intimacy only a real family could provide, he shared, “It’s the kind of stuff that is intangible, you know? That isn’t in the script. It’s more of a behavioral thing that we have with each other. It’s nothing you could ever have with two other actors. It’s always there. Hopefully it comes across in the film.”
Katherine spoke about her experience playing their daughter on-screen.
“Because I was working with my real parents, I felt safe with them in a more unique way than acting with someone else. I could try new things.” She continued to describe a particular scene in the film where she ad-libbed lines that weren’t in the script.
“I don’t think that those moments would have come about if I’d been acting with people I didn’t, you know, go home with,” she explained to raucous laughter from the audience.
The film delicately weaves themes of irremediable loss and the therapeutic power of theater. The film also serves as a love letter to the Chicago theater scene, with its unshakeable bonds and supportive community.
Keith Kupferer reminisced about the unwavering support actors feel for one another, a sentiment beautifully captured in a scene in the film. “We’ve all had those moments that we know whoever we are on the stage with has our back. I absolutely love that about the film,” added Michael Rhodes.
“Ghostlight” is a gentle yet profound exploration of a family’s struggle to stay together amidst tragedy. The talkback provided a unique glimpse into the making of the film and the personal connections that brought the poignant story to life, reminding us that even in the darkest of theaters, a single light can guide us home.
“Ghostlight” is on Amazon Prime and Peacock.
With robust voter turnout throughout the region, proposed 2025-26 education budgets passed handily, along with their additional propositions, in the polling held on Tuesday, May 20.
By a margin of 173 to 103, voters approved the 2025-26 budget totaling $28,665,850, an increase of 5.96% over the current year. After expected revenues are factored in, the amount to be raised by local taxes is $19,403,307, a 5.27% increase over the current year.
Also approved by a margin of 185 to 92 was a vehicle purchase proposal totaling $249,190 to cover the cost of acquiring one 65-passenger school bus and two Chrysler Voyager vehicles to serve the students’ transportation needs.
Two School Board candidates seeking re-election were unopposed. Nichole Reyes received 260 votes and Anthony Robustelli, 234.
“Thanks to the community for supporting our children’s programs,” commented School Superintendent Raymond Castellani, immediately after the vote count was announced. “Thank you to the voters,” he added. “It makes the work so gratifying when you have the support of the voters.”
By a margin of 816 to 331, voters approved the proposed school budget for 2025-26. The budget totals $35,649,651, a 3.1% increase of $1,074,576over the current year. Of the total, the amount to be raised by taxes after expected revenues are deducted, is $27,782,136, a 2.61% increase over the current year.
Extensive repairs and renovations to maintain and improve the middle school and high school at a projected cost of $37,381,383, defined as Proposition 2, passed by a margin of 748 to 399.
Proposition 3 to cover upgrades to the elementary schools at a cost of $1,883,099, passed by a vote of 706 to 439.
“With these results we will be able to ensure the safe and health upkeep of our facilities as we plan for the future of our district,” said Superintendent Caroline Hernandez-Pidala, commenting on the vote. She went on to thank the voters for having come out to vote.
Hernandez Pidala also thanked the students and constituents who helped share information within the community about their schools’ needs and the importance of voting.
Unopposed candidates for re-election for three-year terms as members of the school board were Dena Ghobashy and Jennifer Carnecchia. Voters also approved the election of Perry Hartswick, seeking to continue his service as Board President.
By a margin of 294 to 102, voters turned out to approve the proposed school budget totaling $38,712,336, a 2.71% increase of $1,022,592. The amount to be raised by taxes is $27,885,802, an increase of 3.2% over the current year.
A proposition that will create a Capital Reserve Fund to aid with future expenditures passed by a vote of 309 to 87, and another proposition to purchase two new 71-passenger school buses and an eight-passenger Chevy Suburban passed by a vote of 284 to 110.
Total cost for the two buses and the van is estimated at $396,369. The proposition also added $118,911 in anticipated tariff costs. The proposition costs are to be supported by the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund that had been approved by voters in 2022.
Re-elected to serve three-year terms on the school board were Fred “Chip” Couse with 333 votes and Amie Fredericks with 330 votes. There were 16 write-in votes.
“We greatly appreciate the support of our community and are looking forward to a successful 2025-26 school year,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Timm, commenting on the positive vote result.
A traditional Memorial Day observance to honor the fallen was held Fountain Square on Monday, May 26. The ceremony included an Honor Guard from the Wassaic Fire Company standing by the Veterans’ Memorial Wall.
AMENIA — The community gathered at Fountain Square under sunny skies on Monday, May 26, for a Memorial Day ceremony to honor the fallen who bravely served their country. Remembrances, tributes, prayers and music combined to create the fitting annual tribute.
An Honor Guard from VFW Post #5444 of Dover Plains presented the colors at the start of the ceremony that began promptly at 11 a.m. with a welcome from VFW Commander Nick Woodard to the more than 100 who had gathered.
“Aware of the dangers but responding to the call of duty,” Woodard spoke of those who bravely served and ultimately sacrificed their lives. On behalf of those gathered, he extended deepest respects and “the highest tribute we can offer.”
VFW Post Chaplain Rick Butler offered a prayer asking for help in supporting families of those who gave their lives for their country.
“How far back are the losses,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, reflecting on the losses over centuries of battle. He spoke of the ongoing historical society project to erect signs at each local historic cemetery where Revolutionary War veterans are buried.
The ceremony included donation of a defibrillator by former local Fire Chief Bob Boyles to VFW Post #5444, Auxiliary President Charlene Mayville.
Closing prayer was offered by Fr. Andrew O’Connor of Immaculate Conception Church who read Psalm 127.
In closing the ceremony, Commander Woodard thanked all who contributed to the ceremony, including the local fire departments, the Honor Guard of the Wassaic Fire Company, the Community Enhancement Committee for Fountain Square floral planting, Vicki Doyle, Leo Blackman and the Honor Guard and Auxiliary of Post #5444.
Jay Dacey of the United Kingdom’s Channel 4 took an unexpected detour to the Village of Millerton on Friday, May 23 to capture footage of a rural American town.
The stop was one of the last on a 10-day trip to the United States to film a piece on American politics.
Other filming locations included Washington, D.C., New Haven, and Shelter Island in eastern New York.
Red, white and blue Memorial Day planting by Townscape’s volunteers ahead of Memorial Day ceremonies.
The Townscape team was out in force in time for Memorial Day in its 25th year of flower planting.
Planting were place throughout the village, and they can be found at the War Memorial in Veterans Park, in the boxes and planters on the bridge on Main Street, and at the Rail Trail crossing. As always, Tracy Hanselman and Jim Lambertson gave Townscape assistance with their expert horticultural direction, and they will maintain and water the plants throughout the season.
This year, Paley’s Farm Market has supplied Townscape’s colorful assortment of flowers: red and white geraniums, blue salvia, Dusty Miller, yellow petunias and many others.
Over the summer, Townscape will be hosting a Raffle Tent on Saturdays at the Millerton Farmers’ Market on Dutchess Avenue from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Raffle tickets (5 for $20) to help raise funds - not only for flowers, but also for Townscape’s many other community beautification initiatives such as tree plantings, holiday lights, benches, park tables and chairs.
Townscape volunteers Catherine Fenn,left, Teri Goetz, center, and Claire Goodman,withstood the cool temperatureson W ednesday, May 21, in Millerton as they placed planters along Main Street in advance of Memorial Day activities.Photo by John Coston
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