Berkshire on Stage

The Lehman Trilogy by Stefano Massini takes us through the 164-year history of Lehman Brothers, one of the largest and most influential banks in the world, until its collapse in the recession of 2008. The talented Kevin McGuire, William Oliver Watkins, and Oliver Wadsworth have the arduous task of taking us through the immigration in the 1840s of Henry, Emmanuel and Mayer Lehman from Bavaria to Alabama, and then playing all the other relatives and associates who appear in this three hour and 15-minute play. at Capital Repertory Theatre Aside from two brief intermissions, these incredible actors never leave the stage.

Henry, a German Jew, is the first brother to immigrate to America in search of a better life. He opens a clothing store and his brothers soon follow. Henry calls himself the ‘head’ of the company and makes all the decisions. His brother Emmanuel comes soon after, followed by the youngest, Mayer. Emmanel is seen as the ‘arm,’ while Mayer is mocked as the ‘potato,’ given little decision-making capability.

We watch these brothers endure the great fires of cotton plantations, the death of the oldest, Henry, from Yellow Fever, and the Civil War. We experience the change of business products from fabric and clothing, to cotton, to factory production, to arms, to banking. We see the move to New York City, the emergence of Wall Street and the Stock Exchange, and the beginning of the computer age for the subsequent generation.

Marriages and children result in one son showing interest in art, while another pursues a government position. We see a religious Jewish family immigrating to America, and watch as rituals and traditions die off through the generations.

The Stock Market crash of 1929 leads to panic and fear, yet the Lehman Brothers endure. By 2008, when Lehman goes under, no Lehmans are involved in the company.

Part One, from 1844 to 1867, is the most compelling part of this trilogy. Watching the original brothers struggle and succeed, while appreciating their individual personalities, makes this a swift paced opening act. While all three actors play multiple roles, McGuire and Wadsworth display a great ability to take on different personalities, genders, ages, and accents, less seen in the characters Watkins plays.

Part Two, from 1878 to 1929 and Part Three, from 1929 to 2008, feels less about family and more about business, and is less interesting to watch than the early years.

Fred Rose, cellist, and Emily Mikesell, violinist, are delightful additions to playing background music, composed by Steve Stevens, leading the audience to almost feel as if we were watching a movie. Rose, surprisingly, has a strong acting and musical background, both on Broadway and in this theater.

Sound Design, also by Stevens, is strong with multiple sound effects, including bells, guns, tennis balls, trains, and a cash register enhancing the reality of our experience on this relatively bare stage. 

In shades of grey and black with tables, chairs, and numerous file boxes, Set Designer, Brian Prather and Director Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill move the actors up,  down, and around the boxes, which serve as stairs and various set pieces. The multiple-use boxes ably represent how business changes swiftly as the economy shifts.

Lighting Design by Rob Denton and Projection Design by Camilla Tassi effectively show the fires, the Civil War, the numerous company name changes and the stock market crash. These stunning projections orient the audience to time and place. We see the progression of the years, despite the consistent 1,800s black three piece wool suits worn by the three brothers, designed by Andrea Adamczyk, throughout the duration of the play.

For lovers of business who have understanding of finance and the Stock Market, The Lehman Trilogy is the ultimate story of the rise and fall of an ambitious family company in constant search of greater profits. For those who appreciate a family drama, we find three actors who convey their relationships strongly in Part One. We miss these original relationships in Part Three.

The music and projections envelop the audience. The Jewish thread throughout the play is poignant as we watch this immigrant family assimilate and shed their observance. The desire for money and the subsequent loss of it is a haunting reminder of what we are currently experiencing in our country today. Money and family. What is more important? Director Mancinelli-Cahill leaves us with this provocative question.

The Lehman Trilogy by Stefano Massini, directed by Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill, runs from March 7-April 6, 2025 at Capital Repertory Theatre, 251 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY. CAST: Kevin McGuire as Henry Lehman, Oliver Wadsworth as Mayer Lehman, and William Oliver Watkins as Emanuel Lehman. CREATIVE TEAM: Set design by Brian Prather, Lighting Design by Rob Denton, Projection Design by Camilla Tassi, Sound design by Steve Stevens, Costume design by Andrea Adamczyk. Music composed by Steve Stevens, Fred Rose, cello and Emily Mikesell, violin. https://attherep.org/

Run time: 3 hours and 20 minutes with two 15-minute intermissions

Please note there are trigger warnings for this production: Gun shots (recorded). There are NO guns in the show; mentions about suicide; bright moving lights; loud noises (Civil War cannons, battle sounds, fire).