Category Archives: Reviews
Period of Adjustment at Berkshire Theatre Group displays Tennessee Williams gift for twisted comedy
In a lifetime of writing plays, (29 major, 21 one acts and 9 “apprentice” plays) Tennessee Williams only wrote one real comedy, and he even labeled Period of Adjustment a “serious” comedy. Although he foreshadowed the arrival of Neil Simon
Period of Adjustment at Berkshire Theatre Group displays Tennessee Williams gift for twisted comedy
In a lifetime of writing plays, (29 major, 21 one acts and 9 “apprentice” plays) Tennessee Williams only wrote one real comedy, and he even labeled Period of Adjustment a “serious” comedy. Although he foreshadowed the arrival of Neil Simon
You Better Sit Down: The Civilians Rule Williamstown Stage
(Seen in photo above are Robbie Collier Sublett, Jennifer R. Morris, Matthew Maher, Caitlin Miller in a photo by T. Charles Erickson.) Divorce. It's a messy business. But does it make for good theatre? The answer is a resounding yes.
You Better Sit Down: The Civilians Rule Williamstown Stage
(Seen in photo above are Robbie Collier Sublett, Jennifer R. Morris, Matthew Maher, Caitlin Miller in a photo by T. Charles Erickson.) Divorce. It's a messy business. But does it make for good theatre? The answer is a resounding yes.
Review: Barrington Stage Company’s New Musical “The Game” is Very Seductive Theatre
Finally, I am no longer a virgin. For years I have listened jealously to enthusiastic tales of The Game, a musical based on the book Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1782) which had its first airing eight years ago in Sheffield. It
Review: Barrington Stage Company’s New Musical “The Game” is Very Seductive Theatre
Finally, I am no longer a virgin. For years I have listened jealously to enthusiastic tales of The Game, a musical based on the book Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1782) which had its first airing eight years ago in Sheffield. It
Review: “Ten Cents a Dance” no bargain at Williamstown Theatre Festival
There were five of us who met up at the first matinee of Ten Cents a Dance at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, all musical fans, and the reaction was that two loved it, three hated it. Trying to find something
Review: “Ten Cents a Dance” no bargain at Williamstown Theatre Festival
There were five of us who met up at the first matinee of Ten Cents a Dance at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, all musical fans, and the reaction was that two loved it, three hated it. Trying to find something
Berkshire Actors Theatre off to a great start with entertaining “Four Dogs and a Bone”
(Seen above Deann Halper (Collette) and Michael Foster (Victor). Photo by Enrico Spada.) Four Dogs and a Bone is a satire on the movie business, and in the hands of the brand new Berkshire Actors Theatre it is a funny,
Berkshire Actors Theatre off to a great start with entertaining “Four Dogs and a Bone”
(Seen above Deann Halper (Collette) and Michael Foster (Victor). Photo by Enrico Spada.) Four Dogs and a Bone is a satire on the movie business, and in the hands of the brand new Berkshire Actors Theatre it is a funny,
“In the Mood” is Kathleen Clark’s delightful new comedy from the Berkshire Theatre Group
(Seen above: Damian Young (l) and Erin Dilly (r) in a photo by Christy Wright.) In the Mood had its world premiere on the Fitzpatrick Main Stage of the Berkshire Theatre Festival and it is a funny, winning evening of
“In the Mood” is Kathleen Clark’s delightful new comedy from the Berkshire Theatre Group
(Seen above: Damian Young (l) and Erin Dilly (r) in a photo by Christy Wright.) In the Mood had its world premiere on the Fitzpatrick Main Stage of the Berkshire Theatre Festival and it is a funny, winning evening of
Bess Wohl’s “Touch(ed)” – An elaborate production of a slight play at Williamstown Theatre Festival
(Seen above: (L to R) Merritt Wever, Lisa Joyce, Michael Chernus in Touch(ed). Photos by T. Charles Erickson.) The first season under Jenny Gersten has seen a succession of handsome shows with stunning, even lavish scenic design. So it is
Bess Wohl’s “Touch(ed)” – An elaborate production of a slight play at Williamstown Theatre Festival
(Seen above: (L to R) Merritt Wever, Lisa Joyce, Michael Chernus in Touch(ed). Photos by T. Charles Erickson.) The first season under Jenny Gersten has seen a succession of handsome shows with stunning, even lavish scenic design. So it is
Tina Packer Triumphs as Molly Ivins in the “Red Hot Patriot” a Political-Comedy
Tina Packer has long held a fascination with American politics. When not in makeup and costume, it’s one of her many passions. Born in England, she loves her adopted country. So much in fact that she instituted the annual reading
Tina Packer Triumphs as Molly Ivins in the “Red Hot Patriot” a Political-Comedy
Tina Packer has long held a fascination with American politics. When not in makeup and costume, it’s one of her many passions. Born in England, she loves her adopted country. So much in fact that she instituted the annual reading
Review: She Stoops to Conquer is Flawless Fun at Williamstown Theatre Festival
It appears that nothing inspires Nicholas Martin’s creativity more than a cherished theatrical chestnut. Last year he staged a fresh but honest Our Town, and this Summer, it is the 238-year-old Oliver Goldsmith play, She Stoops to Conquer. The first
Review: She Stoops to Conquer is Flawless Fun at Williamstown Theatre Festival
It appears that nothing inspires Nicholas Martin’s creativity more than a cherished theatrical chestnut. Last year he staged a fresh but honest Our Town, and this Summer, it is the 238-year-old Oliver Goldsmith play, She Stoops to Conquer. The first
The Best of Enemies (Oct. 5-16) at Barrington Stage is compelling theatre at its best
(The Best of Enemies returns for a limited run October 5-16, 2011.) Let there be no doubt that The Best of Enemies with Aisha Hinds (l) and John Bedford Lloyd (r) is one of the most important historical plays about
The Best of Enemies (Oct. 5-16) at Barrington Stage is compelling theatre at its best
(The Best of Enemies returns for a limited run October 5-16, 2011.) Let there be no doubt that The Best of Enemies with Aisha Hinds (l) and John Bedford Lloyd (r) is one of the most important historical plays about
At the Berkshire Theatre Festival: Greg Keller’s Dutch Masters is not an easy play
In several pre-show descriptions of Greg Keller’s new play Dutch Masters, ticket buyers are told that they will be taken on a “plot-driven roller coaster ride.” But for this rider, there will be no re-ride. It was a rough and
At the Berkshire Theatre Festival: Greg Keller’s Dutch Masters is not an easy play
In several pre-show descriptions of Greg Keller’s new play Dutch Masters, ticket buyers are told that they will be taken on a “plot-driven roller coaster ride.” But for this rider, there will be no re-ride. It was a rough and
Review: Williamstown Theatre Festival’s “A Dolls House” Disappoints
This unusual staging of A Doll’s House might work on film. Done that way we might have been better able to see it, hear it and enjoy it. For example, in the scene above you see the children playing in
Review: Williamstown Theatre Festival’s “A Dolls House” Disappoints
This unusual staging of A Doll’s House might work on film. Done that way we might have been better able to see it, hear it and enjoy it. For example, in the scene above you see the children playing in
Ridiculously Funny “The Hound of the Baskervilles” Knocks ‘em Dead at Shakespeare & Company
When a critic sees a show, the next day they will write a review which will either laud or excoriate the performance. But there are days when even the most persnickety pundit just wants to have fun. People are very
Ridiculously Funny “The Hound of the Baskervilles” Knocks ‘em Dead at Shakespeare & Company
When a critic sees a show, the next day they will write a review which will either laud or excoriate the performance. But there are days when even the most persnickety pundit just wants to have fun. People are very
Mormons, Mothers and Monsters Fresh from the Musical Theatre Lab at Barrington Stage
Mormons, Mothers and Monsters is an entertaining new musical, with peppy songs, clever lyrics and a most unusual coming-of-age story. It revolves around an almost perfect son who turns out to be gay. He adores his Mormon mom. She does
Mormons, Mothers and Monsters Fresh from the Musical Theatre Lab at Barrington Stage
Mormons, Mothers and Monsters is an entertaining new musical, with peppy songs, clever lyrics and a most unusual coming-of-age story. It revolves around an almost perfect son who turns out to be gay. He adores his Mormon mom. She does
Review: “Sylvia” is the doggone funniest play of the season
Years before Edward Albee wrote a play about a man falling passionately in love with a goat named Sylvia, A.R. “Pete” Gurney wrote his comedy Sylvia. It is the first offering of the season on the Berkshire Theatre Group’s Fitzgerald
Review: “Sylvia” is the doggone funniest play of the season
Years before Edward Albee wrote a play about a man falling passionately in love with a goat named Sylvia, A.R. “Pete” Gurney wrote his comedy Sylvia. It is the first offering of the season on the Berkshire Theatre Group’s Fitzgerald
Review: Daniela Varon’s “Romeo and Juliet” a mashup at Shakespeare & Company
Some familiar stories can be made new though theatrical innovations. Especially those written by the masters of the form: Shakespeare, Ibsen and Chekhov. This summer you will find one of the most innovative Romeo and Juliet‘s in years at Shakespeare
Review: Daniela Varon’s “Romeo and Juliet” a mashup at Shakespeare & Company
Some familiar stories can be made new though theatrical innovations. Especially those written by the masters of the form: Shakespeare, Ibsen and Chekhov. This summer you will find one of the most innovative Romeo and Juliet‘s in years at Shakespeare
Review: Three Hotels opens the Williamstown Theatre Festival Main Stage season
Even with the impeccable credentials of New York’s hot writer of the moment, Jon Robin Baitz, and Chicago’s brilliant director Robert Falls, Three Hotels is probably the wrong play to have the honor of opening the 2011 Williamstown Theatre Festival’s
Review: Three Hotels opens the Williamstown Theatre Festival Main Stage season
Even with the impeccable credentials of New York’s hot writer of the moment, Jon Robin Baitz, and Chicago’s brilliant director Robert Falls, Three Hotels is probably the wrong play to have the honor of opening the 2011 Williamstown Theatre Festival’s
Randy Harrison Rocked the Berks in The Who’s “Tommy”
(Shown in our lead photo above are Paige Scott and Randy Harrison. Photo by Christy Wright.) Last night there was a miracle – in more ways than one – on South Street in Pittsfield. The Who’s Tommy is the first
Randy Harrison Rocked the Berks in The Who’s “Tommy”
(Shown in our lead photo above are Paige Scott and Randy Harrison. Photo by Christy Wright.) Last night there was a miracle – in more ways than one – on South Street in Pittsfield. The Who’s Tommy is the first
“One Slight Hitch” at Williamstown Theatre Festival – When Brides Have Second Thoughts
With a script by the eminently funny and often over the top political comedian Lewis Black, the play One Slight Hitch carries with it a promise of a laugh or two. But from the moment the lights dim until the
“One Slight Hitch” at Williamstown Theatre Festival – When Brides Have Second Thoughts
With a script by the eminently funny and often over the top political comedian Lewis Black, the play One Slight Hitch carries with it a promise of a laugh or two. But from the moment the lights dim until the
Anne Undeland brings the Gilded Age to life at Ventfort Hall in “Open Marriage”
What memories an old photograph can conjure up. The men who built those little cottages in Lenox in their derby hats were tycoons and scoundrels by day, refined at night. Their model wives found ways to expand their own enjoyment
Anne Undeland brings the Gilded Age to life at Ventfort Hall in “Open Marriage”
What memories an old photograph can conjure up. The men who built those little cottages in Lenox in their derby hats were tycoons and scoundrels by day, refined at night. Their model wives found ways to expand their own enjoyment
A fantastic show just for families: “The Venetian Twins” at Shakespeare & Company
I witnessed a miracle at Shakespeare & Company this week, a children’s show that is as much fun for the adults as for the young ones. “The Venetian Twins” is a classic case of mistaken identity, as two brothers –
A fantastic show just for families: “The Venetian Twins” at Shakespeare & Company
I witnessed a miracle at Shakespeare & Company this week, a children’s show that is as much fun for the adults as for the young ones. “The Venetian Twins” is a classic case of mistaken identity, as two brothers –
Review: Karen Allen directs revival of “Moonchildren” at Berkshire Theatre Festival
It seems impossible that eight college students living together could be desperately lonely and unfulfilled. Yet in 1965-66 when the play Moonchildren is set, Michael Weller chooses such a group of nerdy and naive students to populate the rundown communal
Review: Karen Allen directs revival of “Moonchildren” at Berkshire Theatre Festival
It seems impossible that eight college students living together could be desperately lonely and unfulfilled. Yet in 1965-66 when the play Moonchildren is set, Michael Weller chooses such a group of nerdy and naive students to populate the rundown communal
