Berkshire on Stage

Delightful, inventive and disarming, THE WEEKEND: A STOCKBRIDGE STORY is making its world premiere at the St. Germain Theatre. A longtime denizen of the Berkshires, playwright Ben Diskant, has created a charming story set in autumn in the Berkshires. Directed by Alan Paul, the Artistic Director of Barrington Stage Company, THE WEEKEND is a must-see of the 2025 season. 

I believe it is tremendously difficult to write a simple love story, especially in these jaded times. Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy finds girl again – how do you make that cliché new or engaging? And so, it begins with our 30-something author who is trying to write a novel and who has a serious case of writer’s block. Staring at his blank computer screen, a buoyant and fresh-faced young woman suddenly appears onstage. It turns out to be the author’s sister-in-law and soon after her husband, Tom, is at her side. Tom is the brother of our author, and together they become the inspiration for characters in his story. The author steps into the character of “Allan” and the three of them begin to create a story,  debating and inventing their own backstories, and a context for the love story our author wants to write. Tom is a Harvard trained lawyer, overbearing and uber confident. Beth is as romantic and genuine as Tom is realistic and practical. It takes some doing, but she convinces Tom to leave New York City for a weekend in the Berkshires at her family’s lake house. Tom insists Allan should come along because it is Allan’s birthday and Tom feels an inordinate responsibility for looking after his younger  brother.

The first crucial decision the playwright makes is to set it in a time before everyone had cell phones – picking up a story in 1996 and moving back in time to the beginning of the love story in 1986. It is important because a love story is often centered around missed opportunities and as the playwright notes, “cell phones make everything unromantic.” The most significant decision is to set it in a magical place – in Stockbridge Massachusetts, at the edge of the Stockbridge Bowl (or Lake Mahkeenac). Perhaps it is easier to consider love in a place of such beauty when autumn fills the air. 

The complications—for there must be complications—arise when Jordan, Allan’s first and one true love shows up unexpectedly. It turns out she lives in a cottage next to the lakeside mini mansion of Beth’s family. It also turns out that she and Allan have not seen each other for ten years and his inability to write is rooted in the failed relationship.

It would be unfair to relate further incidents in the plot because one of the most appealing aspects of this play is seeing the characters work out their story. There are twists and turns and surprises and each one brings us closer to understanding something ineffable – love – and how it can, in the playwright’s words, “be an awakening for self-change.”

In fact, all four characters have wonderful personal revelations and unexpected emotional arcs. The relationship between Beth and Tom, between Jordan and Allan, between the two brothers, and between Allan and Beth carries us along, curious to find where the road will lead.

What could be a slight, inconsequential tale, is bolstered by outstanding performances, enchanting scenic and lighting design, and by the marvelous direction of Alan Paul. Ben Rosenfield perfectly captures Allan — the sweet “lost soul” (as his brother defines him) whose artistic ambitions are put on hold when he loses his muse, Jordon. Bill Army is right on point in his portrayal of the overbearing, cocksure Tom and yet he allows room for the deeper dimensions of the character as the story unfolds. Molly Jobe plays Beth with charm and nuance and brightens the stage at every entrance. The final ingredient in the mix is Jordan. Sasha Diamond is nothing less than amazing in navigating Jordan’s subtle contradictions, all the while keeping her character someone that Allan could never forget.

Setting this story in Stockbridge in the glory of autumn is an absolutely perfect choice and one that is sure to hold resonance for Berkshire residents. Surprisingly, the original script called for a bare stage. However, instead Paul and his design team created a dream of a setting on the intimate St. Germain stage. Wilson Chin’s scenic design features a backdrop of what Tom calls “the million-dollar view” of the Stockbridge bowl. It is set off by real trees and a mylar floor, pulling us into a world that has a touch of magical realism.  The changing times and places appear effortlessly with a few set pieces that morph into the lavish renovated “cabin,” the evening on the patio, the car, and the past. Projected dates keep us abreast of where we are in this ever-evolving love story. The highly imaginative lighting design of Amina Alexander  and the sound design by Fabian Obispo serve to make it a cohesive whole.

Alan Paul’s direction of THE WEEKEND: A STOCKBRIDGE STORY is assured, ingenious, and perfectly realizes an ephemeral, delicate world where love strives to survive. As artistic director of BSC, Paul has brought us two plays this season, THE WEEKEND and the musical FUZZY– both world premieres – that touch the heart and provide solace in difficult times. This shows a clear artistic vision and insight to what the world needs now.

As the trees turn red and gold, now is the time to take in this lovely play. 

Credits

Playwright: Ben Diskant

Director: Alan Paul

Scenic Design: Wilson Chin

Lighting Design: Amina Alexander

Costume Design: Ricky Reynoso

Sound Design & Original Composition:  Fabian Obispo

Cast:

Allan: Ben Rosenfield

Beth: Molly Jobe

Tom: Bill Army

Jordan: Sasha Diamond

Information

THE WEEKEND: A STOCKBRIDGE STORY runs September 16-October 12, 2025

For tickets, phone: 413-236-8888

Running time: 85 minutes with no intermission

Theatre: St. Germain Stage of Barrington Stage Company, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield, MA 

Closing date: October 12

Website: barringtonstageco.org