Berkshire on Stage

The beauty of ten ten-minute plays is the variety of stories and genres capturing the audience’s attention, the chance to see the work of diverse playwrights, and the quick resolution of conflicts and dramas. The challenge is one cast portraying wildly different characters in limited time with minimal sets, serving and satisfying an audience with tapas, rather than a full meal. The part veteran, part new cast of the 14^th Annual 10×10 New Play Festival mostly leaves us pleasantly full.

As performed most years, the opening musical number is a song parody, this time of One Day More from Les Miserables, lyrics by Matt Neely and performed by the entire cast. An amusing beginning, sung with variable singing talents, we are introduced to the actors who will entertain us for the next two hours.

Ordained by Mark Harvey Levine and directed by Alan Paul finds Peggy Pharr Wilson playing a newly ordained (off the internet) minister, Sharon, looking to marry two random individuals she meets at the airport waiting for a plane. Neither Abby (Raya Malcom) nor Gary (Xavier Reyes) know each other nor have any interest in getting married. Yet, Sharon is unbothered by their resistance. Of course, in short order, we watch this couple briefly fall for each other. Off the bat, this mini romcom, with a dash of absurdity becomes the perfect appetizer to start the festival.

Entering as a Grim Reaper clad Death, Robert Zuckerman in Wheel of Fortune Reversed by Scott C. Sickles and directed by Matthew Penn, confronts Michael (Reyes) over a chess board. What becomes obvious is Michael is facing death in hospice and questions what he can expect and what he desires. In short order, Michael presents thoughts we all have about facing fear, oblivion or peace, while knowing death is inevitable. While well done with brief elements of humor, we are eager for the next course.

Unsatisfying is Friendship Dynamic by Alex Dremann, directed by Paul. While we see four friends in a car: Orlean (Malcolm), Trace (Reyes), Page (Lori Vega), and Blunt (Neely), the relationship amongst the four is difficult to determine. An off-roading trip turns into tornado chasing. Clever is the use of umbrellas indicating the direction of the strong wind. However, the plot and point seem to be missing. This course feels unfinished.

A Happy Child by Melinda Gros and directed by Penn is the most powerful piece in the festival. On a park bench, we see Wilson as The Woman and Malcom as Rory, The Woman’s daughter. Malcom transforms into a troubled, tearful, homeless soul having a chance meeting with her mother. We see patience and pain as The Woman talks about caring for Rory’s happy daughter, and hoping for Rory to see her, while feeding Rory sandwiches she has brought along. At the same time, they look for a beautiful hawk which flies by, lands, and retreats, an obvious symbol for Rory. Both Wilson and Malcolm grab our hearts as we wonder what led to these difficult circumstances. We are filled.

We see the entire cast except Malcom in Poetry, Prose and…Pirates! by Ken Preuss, directed by Penn, about a writer’s group. What begins with Peg’s (Wilson) thrill at having a poem published in the New Yorker, turns into each group member having stolen Shelly’s (Vega) original idea, creating a book, play, Netflix show, blog and podcast about a pirate. Reyes as Chad is the star of this piece portraying a flamboyant, hysterical Pirate on stage. We are ready for a brief siesta with intermission.

Safe Haven by James McLindon and directed by Penn feels like an intermezzo, not a satisfying bite. Taking place at the Pittsfield Fire Department, we see Reyes as the Nephew dragging in his drunk Uncle (Zuckerman), hoping to leave him there during Thanksgiving, just as a newborn can be dropped off at a firehouse, no questions asked. Neely as the Firefighter informs the Nephew this is not possible. Filled with political references, fresh from the most recent headlines, we sense the dialog is newly written, with the uncle shouting right wing slurs, while the Firefighter and Nephew commiserate.

Facing the largest set of the evening, Choosing You by Rachel Lynett and directed by Penn, we see Malcolm (Aurora) playing the partners of divorce lawyer Tyler (Reyes) in the dining room, and social worker Cass (Vega) at a later time in the living room. Issues of regret from living with a controlling lawyer and moving on to a woman who cares, are a tall order for a ten-minute play. The set overpowers the story, and the story lacks a conclusion.

Altared by Brent Askari and directed by Paul brings Wilson back in a comic role of Kay, a mother of the bride who takes a microdose of mushrooms and is hallucinating before the ceremony. Wilson makes us laugh as she interacts with Gwen (Vega), the Maid of Honor and Roger (Neely), the Best Man. While funny, Altared lacks much of a conflict or a plot. Still, we smile, as we look forward to dessert.

Wilson, back again in Senior Prom by Robert Weilbezahl and directed by Paul, plays Deborah meeting Mike (Zuckerberg) in a senior living facility. She remembers Mike from high school as a boy who rejected her as a prom date. Looking back and reminiscing, we watch Deborah and Mike learn what has become of their lives and are surprised by what they share. All is very relatable in this sweet piece.

And for the most fun, original play, Forever Is a Long Time, written by Jessica Provenz (my favorite playwright from last year’s 10×10) and directed by Paul portrays the courtship of two penguins, Astrid (Vega) and Bjorn (Neely) who mate for life. Zuckerman as the Zookeeper describes this courtship as Vega and Neely believably inhabit the movements and sounds of penguins. Astrid and Bjorn innocently and comically talk about the challenges of staying together forever, and mimic the bizarre process of penguin copulation. What a novel depiction of marital fidelity in a drama. This dessert is delicious.

The veterans and newcomers to the cast do an amazing job of switching roles and characters and immersing themselves in each play. Simple sets and lighting design, by Erika Johnson, while switching backdrop color with each play, easily shifts the mood. Likewise, music and special effects by Sound Designer, Amy Altadonna highlight the atmosphere of every piece.

Costume Designer, Peggy Walsh, gets a special shoutout for the easily recognizable penguin outfits worn by Neely and Vega.

With a full buffet of delectable dishes in 10×10, we get an assortment of theatrical choices to nurture our dramatic yearnings, thanks to Penn and Paul. Go indulge.