Berkshire on Stage

The beauty of being a resident of the Berkshires is having to travel less than 15 miles to see excellent theater, as in Amy Herzog’s 4000 Miles at the Berkshire Theatre Group‘s Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. A Tony nominated playwright, Herzog’s 4000 Miles ran Off-Broadway in 2011. On an intimate stage, a lovely New York City apartment (designed by Jason Simms) provides the setting for the play’s entirety, enabling the audience to feel we are sitting in the living room.

Evan Silverstein, as 20-something, Leo Joseph-Connell, enters his grandmother’s apartment at 3 a.m. with his bicycle, surprising and waking up elderly Vera (Maria Tucci), whom he has not seen in ten years since his grandfather’s funeral. We learn he has ridden his bike from Oregon, and his family has not heard from him in months. Initially, Leo’s relationship with his grandmother seems unclear, calling her Vera (not Grandma) and not understanding her confusion with his sudden appearance or his unwillingness to contact his mother. While stating his stay will be short, he seems to have no immediate plans, nor job or money, and is resistant to explaining his relationship with his girlfriend or the death of his close friend with whom he was cycling on this cross-country journey. It takes time to warm up to Leo. What is he looking for?

Vera, on the other hand, is a wry octogenarian, who, despite having difficulty with word-finding and misplacing innumerable items, is sharp, honest and understanding. She opens up to Leo about her marriages, her political leanings, her life regrets and her relationship with her across the hall neighbor. 

As the play unfolds, Leo is making himself too comfortable at his grandmother’s apartment, not cleaning up, not earning money, and not making plans to leave. We meet his girlfriend, Bec (Gabriela Torres) who is unhappy in the relationship, much to Leo’s surprise. We watch him bring home another woman, Amanda (Allison Ye) who is obviously drunk and to whom Leo is very attracted. Yet, not much comes of this relationship, other than an awkward entrance by Vera as Leo and Amanda start to become intimate.

While the plot of Herzog’s play is not strong or filled with conflict, the very real relationship between Leo and his grandmother is obvious, the dialogue is believable, and the performances are top-notch.

Tucci, a long-time Broadway performer, comfortably inhabits Vera, reminding me, at times, of Frances Sternhagen in her vulnerability and strength, and especially her humor. I would add my husband thought she was the ‘marble rye’ woman from Seinfeld.

Silverstein ably portrays lost and aimless, yet young and impulsive, and ultimately caring and willing to grow. Particularly touching are his scenes surprisingly getting high with Vera, reaching out through skype to his younger sister, with whom he had a serious misunderstanding, and his eventual tragic description of the death of his friend and fellow cyclist.

Torres is skilled at playing the young, conflicted girlfriend who is both angry at and tired of disappointing Leo. 

Ye nails the role of Amanda, adding a jolt of humor, and playing the one-night-stand that thankfully, wasn’t. Her performance is memorable.

Lizzie Gottlieb directs this able cast assuredly, yet allows long lags between scenes, which can be distracting. Lighting Designer, Patricia M. Nichols believably lights this Manhattan apartment, indicating different times of day and night.

Costume Designer, Laurie Churba, perfectly dresses Leo and Bec in bike wear and Amanda in a youthful, cool outfit for going out.  Vera sports comfortable clothing throughout the play which befits a New York City woman of her age.

Herzog’s play and character relationships are relatable. The program for 4000 Miles has a USA map depicting the distance of Leo’s bike ride, and is filled with pictures of each character’s actual grandparents. Her drama brings home the importance of family to all of us, no matter the distance. We all need to stay close.

4000 Miles by Amy Herzog, directed by Lizzie Gottlieb runs from May 16-June 1, 2024 on the Larry Vaber Stage of the Unicorn Theatre on the Berkshire Theatre Group’s Stockbridge campus. CAST: Maria Tucci as Vera. CREATIVE TEAM: Scenic design by Jason Simms; costume design by Laurie Churba; lighting design by Patricia M. Nichols; composer, sound design by Clare Manchon; composer, sound design by Olivier Manchon; stage manager Mickey Acton; casting by Kelly Gillespie and Caparelliotis Casting; assistant to the director Edie Wolfe Lipsey.

The show runs approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes. There is no intermission. Recommended for ages 14 and up. Tickets: $61

Tickets for all of BTG’s exciting productions are on sale now. All plays, schedules, casting and prices are subject to change. To purchase tickets, visit www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org or
contact the Colonial Box Office by calling 413-997-4444.

The Box Office is open Tuesday through Sunday 12pm-5pm or on any performance day from
12pm until curtain. BTG’s Pittsfield Campus is located at 111 South Street, (The Colonial
Theatre) Pittsfield, MA. BTG’s Stockbridge Campus is located at 6 East Street, (The Unicorn
Theatre) Stockbridge, MA.