WEST BRATTLEBORO — The Forest of Mystery is back!
After cancelling in 2020 due to Covid, the Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center (BEEC) says it is excited to host this beloved event as part of its 30th anniversary celebration.
This year's production, This Mad World, will be held from Thursday, Oct. 21 to Saturday, Oct. 23, with a rain date of Sunday, Oct. 24. More than 600 people participated in the 2019 edition, and BEEC hopes for a similar number this year.
Written by James Gelter, This Mad World takes visitors to a dystopian future. Gelter uses the lens of science fiction to focus on the urgency of the climate crisis and other world problems and to ask, “What does one generation owe to the next?”
The Forest of Mystery takes place each year in the Halloween season with the aid of a group of community actors, dancers, and musicians, as well as costume and set designers.
This interactive theatrical performance takes place in scenes staged along BEEC's candlelit trails through forest and meadow.
Hour-long journeys start at 6:15 p.m. and run every 15 minutes to 8:30 p.m. Participants are asked arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of their journey.
Groups will travel together on a trail that is about a half-mile in length. Be sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress warmly for an October night. The performance is recommended for ages 6 and older.
The income from this event supports BEEC's work with more than 1,000 children in seven local elementary schools, community education events (more than 300 individuals have attended public programs so far this year), and youth programs (more than 100 children attended camp this summer).
Tickets are available at beec.org. Tickets are $18 ($14 for BEEC members). If you are not sure whether your membership is current, call 802-257-5785 or email admin@beec.org and they can check for you.