2024 was another amazing theatre season in the Berkshires! These are the highlights of the productions that reminded me of why, for me, the Berkshires are the center of the theater universe.
Three fabulous musicals offered something for everyone. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at the Colonial Theatre (Berkshire Theatre Group) was worth the price of admission for the performance of Frau Blucher by Veanne Cox singing “He Was My Boyfriend.” Moreover the entire cast was a riot.
SOMETHING ROTTEN at the Mac-Haydn Theatre was a totally charming send-up of Shakespeare and the American musical. It was tons of fun and a staging coup to accommodate such a large and talented young cast on the Mac’s intimate stage.
But the brass ring goes to the nonstop joy and theatricality of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Barrington Stage Company. Alex Michaels was totally captivating as Albin/ZaZa and the entire ensemble captured both the camp and humanity of this fantastic musical.
The fun continued nonstop with the consummate farce of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at Springfield’s Majestic Theater. The play of everything that can go wrong was flawless farce, and a perfect blend of Agatha Christie style and hilarious comic technique. The directing, acting, and scenic elements were perfection itself.
Original plays are always among the greatest riches of the season and once again there were many contenders for the best new work. Jim Frangione’s FLIGHT OF THE MONARCH (a collaboration between Shakespeare Company and Great Barrington Public Theater) was a beautiful drama, exquisitely acted by Allyn Burrows and Corinna May. Judy Braha was responsible for the superb, insightful direction.
PAMELA PALMER—a new work by the inimitable David Ives—was an intriguing and highly original murder mystery that was well acted and totally entertaining. This is the only full-length, fully produced new work at Williamstown Theatre Festival this season. We only wish there were more experiences like this had been in the season program.
Of the many staged readings of our new work, Anne Undeland’s MADAME MOZART: THE LACRYMOSA was very intriguing, amusing, and fascinating. I look forward to a full production of this play that was also directed by Judy Braha, and performed by Tara Franklin and Ryan Winkles with great aplomb.
Three small-cast plays offered astounding virtuosity in acting because, in each case, one actor played numerous multiple roles and each one was outstanding in the specific delineation of a slew of different characters. The actors included Ryan Winkles (MADAME MOZART), Hilary Ward (PRIMARY TRUST), and Diego Arciniegas (GALILEO’S DAUGHTER)—they were simply wonders to behold.
Speaking of GALILEO’S DAUGHTER, this new play by Jessica Dickey was presented by WAM Theatre at Shakespeare Company under the direction of Reena Dutt. The cast included Caroline Kinsolving, Sandra Seoane-Seri and Diego Arciniegas. This play was my favorite work of the season. It was a perfect harmony of creative direction, superb ensemble and individual acting, and a thoroughly delightful story chocked full of surprises. It was one of those experiences that made you sorry the night had to end.
As noted, 2024 was a great time to see Theatre in the Berkshires!