‘Selected Shorts’ comes to Stissing Center

The Stissing Center was bustling just before the show on Sunday, March 9.

Photo by Alec Linden

‘Selected Shorts’ comes to Stissing Center

PINE PLAINS — The Stissing Center was packed on Sunday for an afternoon performance of podcast and NPR series “Selected Shorts.” The sold-out show, which was recorded for national broadcast at a later date, brought a lineup of four accomplished actors and storytellers to the Pine Plains stage to recite a selection of short stories from award-winning authors.

“Selected Shorts,” a product of Manhattan-based performing arts powerhouse Symphony Space, features prominent actors who recite works of short fiction. The full program usually revolves around a theme; Sunday afternoon’s focus was “transformations.”
Comedian, writer and actress Ophira Eisenberg — or “renaissance woman of storytelling,” as Stissing Center Executive Director Patrick Trettenero introduced her — assumed hosting duties, warming up the crowd with jokes about Brooklyn egg prices and doctors with self-esteem issues — “I want a megalomaniac with a god complex and no hobbies.”

Every seat in the large coffeehouse-style auditorium was filled, and the crowd was engaged. “For a 3 p.m. audience, you guys are amazing!” exclaimed Eisenberg.

Actor David Straithairn took the stage first, reading a short story by Pulitzer Prize winning author Steven Millhauser titled “Green.” Straithairn’s classic, almost antique delivery suited the small-town American ethos of the story well. A somewhat detached but observant narrator recounts the story of a sort of anti-plant mania that started “innocently enough” in his town, stripping public and private property alike of all greenery. Eventually, a few intrepid neighbors add shrubbery back to their yards, prompting a swing back in the other direction: “After a brief diversion, a playful experiment, things had returned to normal in our quiet town — or had they?”

Straithharn’s reading was followed by an animated performance from actor Lauren Ambrose, whose long resumé is most recently punctuated by her role in the popular television series “Yellowjackets.” Ambrose read “Quantum Voicemail” by novelist and short-story writer Kristen Iskandrian, a woozy tale from a particular and slightly neurotic narrator who describes voicemail in probably the most poetic language ever put to page about the messaging format. Voicemail is “a stirring three minute soliloquy,” and “like a photograph, it capture[s] a moment of attention,” says the rapt narrator.

A brief intermission enabled patrons to refuel with drinks or popcorn from the bar, or head outside to enjoy the early spring weather. For those who remained in the theater, the sunken lounge-like space in the center of the room facilitated easy conservation between neighbors as they reflected on the performances.

Eisenberg herself recited the third story, “Squirrels” by Israeli writer Etgar Kenet. The action opens with a description of a family myth — or was it? — about a grandfather being reincarnated as a giant squirrel after a battle with cancer, and which subsequently halts his widow’s next wedding by biting the groom-to-be’s thumb. The story does get sentimental, which Eisenberg’s mostly comic oration accented well.

The final performance was of New York City-raised writer Jamel Brinkley’s “Blessed Deliverance,” a coming-of-age story about a group of college-bound teenagers growing up and growing apart in gentrifying Brooklyn. New York stage and screen actor Teagle F. Bougere handled the tension and confusion of late childhood/young adulthood well in his recitation. The plot reaches a high point when an unhoused man releases a pack of rabbits from an animal rescue shelter into the street while the group of teens looks on, cheering but not entirely sure what for.

After a few closing remarks from Eisenberg, the show was complete. Satisfied attendees made their way back to their cars and released the streets of Pine Plains into Sunday quietude once again.

Latest News

After long wait, Millerton food market gets site plan go-ahead

Architectural rendering of market’s proposed entrance.

Courtesy of Earthwise Architecture

MILLERTON — The Town of North East Planning Board approved the site plan for the Town Gourmet Market, a new food market to be located in the Millerton Square Plaza at 122 Route 44.

The plan to bring a food market to Millerton has been in the works since Kim and Chris Choe of Sharon, Connecticut, reached agreement with Skip Trotta to purchase the four separate parcels totaling 10.2 acres in May 2023.

Keep ReadingShow less
North East Board lauds Sharon Hospital merger
Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Connecticut
Archive photo

MILLERTON — Town Supervisor Christopher Kennan began the Thursday, April 10, Town Board meeting with the “good news” of the approved merger of Nuvance Health, owner of Sharon Hospital, with Northwell Health, the largest health system in New York.

“This is great, great news for our community,” Kennan said. “More than half of the patients at Sharon Hospital come from New York.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton approves budget with mill rate rise to 4.28

The Millerton Village offices on Route 22.

Archive photo

MILLERTON — Village Trustees approved an $838,820 general budget for the coming fiscal year, reflecting higher expenses, an increase in assessment property values and higher tax receipts.

Following a public hearing held on Monday, April 14, the Board approved the 2025-26 budget that calls for an increase in the mill rate to 4.27936, up from the current rate of 4.22.

Keep ReadingShow less
Children’s Tea to debut at library

Having grown from a novelty to a tradition, the Amenia Library Tea Society met on Saturday, April 12, to enjoy teas and finger foods from Japan. The April meeting featured green tea and Senoha, served along with Dango, Moohi, Onigiri rice balls, melon seed cookies, and more. The May meeting will feature the fare of South Korea. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Building on the success of the monthly Library Tea Society, the Amenia Free Library is inviting children to dress up and attend the first-ever Children’s Tea Party on Saturday, April 19, at noon.

Children of ages 3 through 8 are invited to dress up in their best outfits to enjoy a fun tea party. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver.

Keep ReadingShow less