Albany, NY (10/13/25)–Harbinger Theatre is thrilled to receive its first three nominations from the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association for their production of Deep Blue Sound by Abe Koogler which ran at Steamer No 10 Theatre from 9/12-9/21. The Berkshire Theatre Critics Association is in their 9th year of honoring and celebrating the excellence and diversity of theater in the greater Berkshire region.
The Berkie nominees are Tony Pallone for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play, Chris Foster for Outstanding Direction of a Play and the entire cast for Outstanding Ensemble Performance.
The cast was shocked and excited for the additional accolades after recently closing the show about a small community in the Pacific Northwest which comes together in reaction to the disappearance of a pod of migratory whales that visited their island community annually.
The director and Harbinger Co-Founder Chris Foster said “Working with such a fantastic group of people on this wonderful play was rewarding enough for me.” The lighting designer David Caso echoed his thoughts “The best recognition to me is how we all felt about the show.” When informed of the nominations the playwright Abe Koogler responded “That is wonderful! I’m really thrilled to hear it! So glad that you did the play. Wonderful news.”
Tony Pallone wanted to acknowledge the BTCA
“I’m so grateful to the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association for recognizing the work of the incredibly talented group of people who made Deep Blue Sound come to life. I was deeply honored for the chance to work with each and every one of them, and I’m very much looking forward to the possibility of future collaboration with Harbinger Theatre. To everyone who sees themselves as a little minnow: Know that you are a whale.”
The play received some of the best reviews Harbinger has ever seen after four years and 18 productions. Joanna Palladino of RadioRadioX said “The ensemble cast of Deep Blue Sound is sensational!” “Harbinger Theatre’s Chris Foster has assembled one of the strongest casts and perfectly placed them in roles for which they seem made” wrote Bill Kellert in Nippertown. Rory Graham in Metroland commented “I was struck by Pallone’s reserved emotional performance” while J. Peter Bergman, President of the BTCA said in his review “Any play that features Kathleen Carey and Tony Pallone is well worth seeing, and this one is no exception.” Kathleen Carey won the Berkie for Outstanding Actress in a Play for her performance in The Theater Barn’s Good People in 2021.
Bob Goepfert wrote in The Saratogian that “Deep Blue Sound is that rarest of things-it’s a play that will have you feeling better about life.”
Harbinger was founded out of the Pandemic by members of Acting Class with Patrick White. They had produced Death Tax by Lucas Hnath in June of 2021 shortly after their Scene Night in April when public performances were allowed in New York State again. Harbinger’s first performance in December of 2021 was The Christians by Hnath which recreated a megachurch in the Barn with Nicky Lightz help and a choir of 14.
Harbinger has produced 18 Capital Region premieres including the World Premiere of Custom Cuts and the only public performance of Destroying David by Jason Odell Williams as a two-hander. They have worked with over 100 actors and introduced the work of Robert Askins, Lindsey Ferrentino, Josh Harmon, Ike Holter, Abe Koogler, Frances Poet, Bryna Turner to Albany and its surrounding cities, towns and hamlets.
Every year of their existence they have been on the year-end 10 Best lists somewhere, including Berkshire On Stage, Broadway World, The Daily Gazette, Nippertown, RadioRadioX, The Saratogian or The Troy Record. Honored productions include The Christians, Andy and the Orphans, The Motherf**ker with the Hat and Maggie May.
Harbinger’s next production is the Capital Region premiere of Swing State by Rebecca Gilman at Sand Lake Center for the Arts (2880 Rte 43). Recently widowed, Peg tends to the native plants in her 40-acre rural Wisconsin prairie backyard, her solitary days interrupted only by visits from a family friend with a checkered past. When a mysterious theft alerts the authorities, a string of events unfold that forever changes their lives. The play looks at the division, mistrust and fear infecting our daily life. Performances 11/13, 11/14, 11/15, 11/21, 11/22 at 7:30pm and 11/16 and 11/23 at 2:30pm. 11/13 is a FREE Preview performance. There will be talkbacks after 11/14 and 11/21 and 11/15 will celebrate the Wisconsin setting of the play with a Cheese Tasting Reception at 6:30pm. $15 Tickets www.actingclasswithpatrickwhite.net