Marc Savitt

I confess, it was difficult to leave the house on a truly glorious summer Sunday to attend the opening of Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot. That said, I had been anticipating this production since it was announced as the first musical of the 2025 season and I believe that it does not disappoint.

THE VICTIM achieves a level of brilliance wherein the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. While the script, direction, cast and creatives are near flawless in their own right, this production is topical, relevant, emotional, and well worth experiencing.

N/A is a gripping two-hander that imagines a fictional meeting between two powerhouse women in American politics: one, a seasoned Speaker of the House; the other, a newly elected congresswoman with a disruptive streak. As generational, ideological, and political tensions rise, N/A explores what it takes for women to wield, challenge, and share power in Washington—and what that means for the rest of us.

HOW TO NOT SAVE THE WORLD WITH MR. BEZOS is anything but ordinary. It is unlike most offerings seen of late and a piece that is difficult to speak or write about. It needs to be experienced first-hand. It examines current events and headline worthy topics like the ongoing billionaire’s space race as well as the role(s) people of influence (privilege / power) play. Some from a point-of-view you may not have thought of. One thing that is certain, it will make you think, possibly long after leaving the venue.

The production is uniformly strong in all respects as is the cast. Even the unseasonably cold and damp weather during the opening weekend helped to set the proper atmosphere. Standout performances are delivered by Laura Shatkus, Harry Smith, and Michael Wartella. The latter incorporating subtle contortions from head-to-toe and delivers a performance that allows us to see a man that most see as “hideous” and “grotesque”, intimately as those who came to know Merrick as rather much like most despite the differences, intolerance, and disdain so largely afflicted upon him.

BSC’s 2025 10X10 NEW PLAY FESTIVAL offers plenty of humor along with moments that will have audience members saying hmmh, topical relevant content, and something for just about everyone.

GALILEO’S DAUGHTER is a strong representation of WAM theater’s mission and values that include “producing theatrical events for everyone, with a focus on women theatre artists and / or stories of women and girls”.

THE WEIR promises an exploration of human connection, the echoes of personal haunting, and the mystical allure of Ireland's folklore, captivating audiences with its hauntingly evocative storytelling. The experience made all the more relevant as we change the calendar to October. THE WEIR continues at the Unicorn Theatre in Lenox.

PRIMARY TRUST is a refreshingly intimate production. The production provides a space in which audiences are encouraged to examine our relationship to loneliness, grief, and our desire for connection. I encourage seeing charming, delightful, relevant, powerful production of PRIMARY TRUST at Barrington Stage Company’s St. Germain Stage.

Despite the title, character names, and some references, the dialogue is contemporary and comfortable. It seems as if we could be viewing three generations of just about any family unit. There are plenty of mmh hmmh moments and head nods as the action unfolds that feels familiar regardless of one’s ethnic background or even gender.

A theatrical experience that, while honestly not for everyone, had the opening night crowd literally leaping to it's collective feet with more than just myself shouting BRAVO! I encourage those brave, perhaps “healed”, open minded, individuals to experience this outstanding production of NEXT TO NORMAL

As we filed out after after the two acts (with one intermission) in about two hours, that was well – done and solid was more-or-less my simple, surface level impression and take away. Over the course of the next 24 or so hours, however, something of a metaphysical metamorphosis took place in me. It became so much more.

The mix and synergy of an excellent script, skillful direction, and an accomplished cast and creatives achieve an overall strong production that pulls audience members in and quite probably leave you asking What Would You Do?

At a time when headlines are ominous, dew points are uncomfortable if not oppressive, and very little is what it appears to be on the surface, a lighthearted romp, fraught with silliness and laughter seems very appropriate. BOEING BOEING continues on the Boyd-Quinson Stage at Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield through August 3

Shakespeare & Company’s colorful, fun, and zany production is set in the seaside Vaudeville of New York City, 1912 – a mystical and sometimes strange place filled with as much magic and mischief as sailors and sea captains!

The production stars Derek Smith as Romeo and Candy Buckley as Juliet, both of whom are skilled and strong performers. Adept with their characterizations as well as the Shakespearian dialogue. Their embodiment of characters conceived by Shakespeare as teens, but as mature adults is remarkable. They do so completely, and in every conceivable way.

At times A BODY OF WATER seems to resemble the works of Agatha Christie, perhaps Alfred Hitchcock. Twists and turns abound. You will laugh heartily and often; and quite likely find yourself “feeling all the feels”. I certainly did. I also found myself mouth agape for much of the production.

'We’re extremely fortunate to have Alex Michaels, perhaps best known for their drag persona Alexis Michelle on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and the dashing Tom Story as our Albin and Georges. With a brilliant cast and helmed by Mike Donohue with high-flying choreography from Paul McGill, we think BSC audiences are in for a treat.” I wholeheartedly agree.

An intimate portrayal of Lincoln's evolution, capturing his complex character and presenting a multifaceted figure, a humble man grappling with self-doubt and haunted by premonitions of the Civil War, his own tragic fate, and his journey to the presidency are vividly brought to life, showcasing the complexities of his character and relationships.

The production is well paced, charming, often funny, and yet another example of the fine, high quality theatre Berkshire audiences are fortunate to have available on a consistent basis.