Berkshire on Stage

Eugene O’Neill is one of the 20th century’s most important American playwrights, but his intense, brooding dramas aren’t performed as often as they should be. Hartford Stage produced his only comedy, Ah, Wilderness a couple of seasons ago, but O’Neill isn’t often seen on our area theatre stages. So, it comes as a surprise that A Moon for The Misbegotten, O’Neill’s final play, is being performed at The Majestic Theater, a small neighborhood theatre company that leans to comedies, musicals, and light dramas. 

So, to be honest, I went to A Moon for The Misbegotten with some trepidation. But, upon first gaze at Greg Trochlil’s extraordinary set, a ramshackle Connecticut farmhouse, set beside a large tree, I realized that this production would be different. It has two blockbuster performances, Jay Sefton, fresh off Unreconciled, and its three Berkie nominations, and Sue Dziura; a good supporting cast, solid direction by James Warwick, and perfect costumes and lighting by Dawn McKay and James McNamara respectively. 

A Moon for the Misbegotten is the sequel to O’Neill’s blockbuster, Long Day’s Journey into Night with Jim Tyrone (played by Jay Sefton) as an older version of Jamie Tyrone. O’Neill, ill at the time, began scripting the play in 1941, and finished the drama two years later. He demanded it not be produced until after his death. The play premiered on Broadway in 1957. There have been several revivals. 

Producer Danny Eaton and director James Warwick (well known in the area for his work at Shakespeare & Company and Chester) whittled down the classic from four plus hours to a more audience-friendly two hours with an intermission. 

Set in 1923, in a rundown Connecticut farmhouse, the play revolves around three characters, Josie (Sue Dziura), an intimidating Irish woman, her tenant farmer father Phil Hogan (John Thomas Waite), and James Tyrone Jr (Jay Sefton), Hogan’s landlord and drinking partner. When Phil imagines that James may sell the farm to a hated neighbor, he tries to bring James and Josie together. O’Neill writes well developed characters, all of them beaten down, boozed up, and fragile on multiple levels. The language is fluid, and the drama has snippets of comedy. Director Warwick navigates all of this with perfection, and also balances the emphasis so each character can shine. 

Sue Dziura’s performance as Josie, a plus-size character as depicted by O’Neill, is plus-size, commanding the stage at every turn. She has a delicate side, and her interaction with Sefton is a ballet of tension. Her performance is not to be missed. And, the versatile Jay Sefton, one of our region’s finest talents, shines as James. He slithers, broods, and gives Tyrone a portrait  that’s up there with the best.

Silly me, I had an opportunity to see A Moon for The Misbegotten in its legendary Broadway revival with Colleen Dewhurst and Jason Robards,  but chose instead to see The Andrews Sisters in Over Here! Had I seen the former, I’ds have better appreciated this solid production with its two fine performances. 

A Moon For The Misbegotten runs through December 1. Home for The Holidays, The Majestic’s signature holiday musicale, follows at  The Majestic December 5-22. For details: www.majestictheater.com. For those who haven’t been to The Majestic, or for those who haven’t been in awhile, it’s in a nice part of West Springfield Center, surrounded by free parking on recently resurfaced, pothole-free pavement and lots of restaurant options. And, there’s a cafe onsite open before performances and during intermission.

The Majestic Theater presents A Moon for The Misbegotten by Eugene O’Neill. Directed by James Warwick. Scenic design  by Greg Trochlil. Costume design by Dawn McKay. Lighting design  by James Mcnamara. Cast: Caleb Chew, Tom Dahl, Sue Dziura, Jay Sefton, John Thomas Waite. Producing Director: Danny Eaton. Through December 1. The Majestic Theater 131 Elm Street, West Springfield, MA.  www.majestictheater.com

Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and The Yale School of Drama. He has worked for arts organizations nationwide, and reported on the arts for print and broadcast. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat, On The Mark, and Survivor Stories  for WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. He’s a regular contributor to Berkshire Onstage and a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association.