Marc Savitt - Page 3

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.

Many of the pieces provide laughs, some perspective. There is a bit of song, a bit of dance, absolutely no seltzer down any pants. Overall, the 10X10 NEW PLAY FESTIVAL offers a welcomed appetizer for the upcoming season in which BSC celebrates its 30th anniversary of bringing award winning theatre to downtown Pittsfield.

Michael Fray’s script is brilliant. He uses a delicate but superbly balanced mix of complex scientific dialogue related to Physics with general human behavior, and interpersonal dynamics. While there are ample opportunities for the non-scientific to give up based on theoretical and technical content, we are brought back into the piece.

Berkshire Audiences are fortunate that we often have opportunities to experience world premiere presentations like ON CEDAR STREET. While it is difficult to say what the future may hold for the new musical, it is safe to say that the production which continues on the Larry Vaber stage at Berkshire Theatre Group’s Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge through September 2, is a delightful way to spend one of the remaining summer evenings.

Annette Miller is outstanding. She takes the audience on a fascinating and detailed journey in which she seamlessly shifts between aspects of Meir’s character ranging from nurturing caregiver to the “Iron Lady” of Israeli Politics.

Friel harnesses the power of story telling common to both that culture and contemporary theater to weave a tightly woven tapestry with such depth, richness, and color it could easily be compared to the work of the great impressionist painters. Under Boyd’s direction, Innvar, Dold, and Egolf show themselves to be consummate professionals.

Audience members quickly engage with the characters before them virtually free of any doubt or distraction. We become deeply engaged and by the time real conflict sets in during act two, we feel both for them, and with them. August Wilson’s FENCES is considered a landmark work of American theatre and he a masterful storyteller.

While I won’t go so far as to say this is a must-see, it is most certainly one that should be seen. BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY represents yet another first-rate production for the award-winning theatre in downtown Pittsfield and those involved in bringing it forward for Berkshire arts enthusiasts to enjoy.

Berkshire audiences fortunate, and wise enough to wind their way over the river and through the woods to the Daniel Arts Center McConnel Theater (on the campus of Bard College in Great Barrington) to experience Great Barrington Public Theater’s production of OFF PEAK before it closes July 23 are sure to be glad, they did. Do not miss it!