<div dir="ltr"><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-0e472d25-7fff-b4d7-c0da-0051d69bd7cf"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:right;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:right;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">July 22, 2022</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:right;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">CONTACT: </span><a href="mailto:gburns35@gmail.com" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">gburns35@gmail.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:right;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">PHOTOS: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y857mfbh">https://tinyurl.com/y857mfbh</a></span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">ANCRAM OPERA HOUSE PRESENTS AN EVENING WITH THE BENGSONS</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">July 30 at 6 pm at the Circa 1799 Barn in Ancramdale</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">ANCRAM, NY [July 22, 2022] - Ancram Opera House presents</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">AN EVENING WITH THE BENGSONS </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> at the Circa 1799 Barn in Ancramdale. This special evening with the award-winning singer/songwriter couple begins at 6 pm on Saturday, July 30 (rain date July 31 at 6 pm), and features a live ASL interpreter.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(32,32,32);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Abigail and Shaun Bengson are a married composing and performing duo based in New York City  and Vermont who have performed across the country and around the world. They have received the Jonathan Larson and Richard Rogers Awards and nominations for the Drama Desk, Drama League, and Lucille Lortel Awards. Their video for “The Keep Going Song” has been viewed over 4 million times. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(32,32,32);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Their theater work includes the acclaimed off-Broadway musicals HUNDRED DAYS (La Jolla Playhouse, New York Theatre Workshop, US Tour) and THE LUCKY ONES (Ars Nova). WHERE THE MOUNTAINS MEET THE SEA, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">which was commissioned by and premiered in the 2020 Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville, makes its off-Broadway bow this fall at the Manhattan Theatre Club. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">AN EVENING WITH THE BENGSONS will feature a live American Sign Language interpreter. Carter Beers will provide access services for Deaf and hard of hearing patrons. AOH hopes that this is just the beginning of providing more accessibility and inclusivity in their events. If you would like access to reserved seating in view of the interpreter, contact <a href="mailto:info@ancramoperahouse.org">info@ancramoperahouse.org</a> or call the box office at (518) 329-0114.</span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(32,32,32);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The Circa 1799 Barn is located at </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">105 Simons Road in Ancramdale.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(32,32,32);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Tickets are $35 each, available at </span><a href="http://www.ancramoperahouse.org" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">www.ancramoperahouse.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> or by calling (518) 329-0114</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">AT-A-GLANCE</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">AN EVENING WITH THE BENGSONS</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(with live American Sign Language interpretation)</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Saturday, July 30 at 6 pm </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(Rain Date: Sunday, July 31st at 6pm)</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">at the Circa 1799 Barn</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">105 Simons Road, Ancramdale, NY 12503</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Tickets are $35 available at </span><a href="https://www.ancramoperahouse.org/" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">ancramoperahouse.org</span></a></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">About The Bengsons</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Abigail and Shaun Bengson</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> are a married composing and performing duo based in NYC and VT who have performed across the country and around the world. Their video for “The Keep Going Song” has been viewed over 4 million times. Three of their singles have been featured on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (FOX). Their theater work includes THE KEEP GOING SONG (Actor’s Theatre of Louisville), MY JOY IS HEAVY (Arena Stage), HUNDRED DAYS (La Jolla Playhouse, New York Theatre Workshop, US Tour), THE LUCKY ONES (Ars Nova), WHERE THE MOUNTAINS MEET THE SEA (ATL’s Humana Festival), ANYTHING THAT GIVES OFF LIGHT (Edinburgh Theatre Festival),YOU’LL STILL CALL ME BY NAME (New York Live Arts, Jacob's Pillow), and IPHIGENIA IN AULIS (Classic Stage Company). They have received the Jonathan Larson and Richard Rogers Awards and nominations for the Drama Desk, Drama League, and Lucille Lortel Awards.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">About the ASL Interpreter</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Carter Beers</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">studied ASL interpretation at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at RIT. He has a background in theatre and performance, and is now working as an interpreter professionally with Sorenson Communications, with upcoming performance interpretation events at Powerhouse Theatre at Vassar.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">2022 SPONSORS</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The 2022 season at the Ancram Opera House is </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">where audiences can connect with performers in immersive, immediate ways. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:2.98798pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Ancram Center is located on unceded,  ancestral lands of the Muh-he-con-ne-ok,  the Peoples of the Waters That Are Never  Still, and overlooks the Roeliff Jansen Kill,  which was once called the Sonkippog (cooling water). We pay tribute to and honor the  history of those who precede us here.  </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">ABOUT THE ANCRAM OPERA HOUSE</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:10pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Located in southern Columbia County, the Ancram Opera House presents a mix of contemporary theatre, alternative cabaret, and community programs. Located in a converted former grange hall, AOH offers audiences a unique opportunity to directly engage, up close, with visionary theatre artists at the top of their field who are rarely seen in our region. For more information visit </span><a href="http://www.ancramoperahouse.org" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">www.ancramoperahouse.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">. </span></p><br><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Cambria,serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">###</span></p></span><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div>Gail M. Burns<br>57 Linden Street<br>Williamstown, MA 01267-2511<br>413-458-4246 home</div><div><a href="mailto:gailmburns@roadrunner.com" target="_blank">gburns35@gmail.com</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div>Editor & Webmaster for Berkshire on Stage </div><div dir="ltr"><a href="https://berkshireonstage.blog/" target="_blank">https://berkshireonstage.blog/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">PR & Marketing for the Ancram Opera House</div><div dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.ancramoperahouse.org/" target="_blank">https://www.ancramoperahouse.org/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div>Social Media & Webmaster for WAM Theatre</div><div><a href="https://www.wamtheatre.com/" target="_blank">https://www.wamtheatre.com/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Social Media for Dolores Heights Improvement Club, Williamstown Community Chest, and the Williamstown Historical Museum</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div>Freelance Writer</div><div dir="ltr"><div><a href="http://www.GailSez.org" target="_blank"></a><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>