Berkshire on Stage

EDITOR’S NOTE: This review was written in response to a preview performance of 1999. As with any world premiere production, some changes may have been made before the official opening.

Having the opportunity to see a preview of the world premiere of 1999,, I am confronted with the numerous issues women struggle with in the entertainment world, while facing the dilemma of patronizing artistic work created by ‘monsters.’ Leave it to WAM Theatre (Where Arts and Activism Meet) to support and mount the visionary work of playwright, Stacey Isom Campbell and to give Artistic Director Genée Coreno the important role of bringing 1999 to the stage.

A sea of stacked TVs from the 1990’s, as well as some lamps and a boom box line the upstage floor. Designed by Baron E. Pugh, along with Sound and Video Designers, Cosette Pin and Dana Freeman, we see these monitors and the videos they depict playing a huge role in how we experienced television at the turn of the century, and the current social media world of the three characters. Lighting Designer, Jemma Kepner, highlights all these effects. Emma, played by Zoë Laiz, enters as a professor of movie criticism and an Oscar-winning producer. Teaching in 2019, she explores the movies of 1999, a year
when so many well-regarded films were shown. In many of these movies, the characters are searching for beauty and redemption. However, several films in the late 90s were produced by Harvey Weinstein of Miramax, an accused and convicted sexual predator, who often used his power in the movie business to
prey on and sexually assault women. His behavior sparked the MeToo Movement. A student, Naomi (Zurie Adams) questions the validity and ethics of watching these films, unwilling to patronize works of monsters. While Emma gives her the option to watch and write about other films, she thinks back to the1990s when she was an up-and-coming screenwriter and filmmaker.

She met Reese (Caroline Festa), a dear friend who hoped to become a successful actress. Reese presents as a tough seductive woman who seems up for any challenge to succeed. Together they agree to make a short film. Knowing the importance of meeting powerbrokers in the industry (mostly men), and being offered a possible part in a movie, Reese decides to meet with a famous producer, with both Emma’s encouragement and warning about being alone with him. Believing she can take care of herself, Reese goes off and eventually returns having experienced what she resisted fearing. She is shattered. Rather than report him, as Emma insists, Reese loses interest in her career and leaves town. In the
meantime, Emma, after confronting the perpetrator, gets a financed production company contingent on the promise of an NDA from both Emma and Reese. Such were the times for women in the 1990s, who were desperate to make art, yet subject to the power of predatory men…monsters.

Going back and forth between 1999 and 2019, we learn about the subsequent relationship between student Naomi and Reese and the tragedy that befalls Reese. Leaving Emma to wonder whether she has sold out her best friend to advance her career, we see her struggle between loving having a “seat at the
table” with men in the industry, while reconciling herself to the fact that many of these men could be charged as criminals.

Under the expert direction of Coreno, all three women do an admirable job in these three roles. Each part is well-defined. Laiz, in particular, shines in her conflicted position as she makes difficult decisions. This play deals with sexual assault and reference to suicide. Given that the play is still in preview, I imagine
the intensity of this drama will only grow as the run continues. Both Adams and Festa have emotional moments to convey which need to grow more urgent. At 90 minutes, the play feels slightly long after the play’s climax. Coreno keeps the pace swift with a stage crew member quickly moving and dropping off
props as scenes change. The visuals on the television screens with titled scenes on the backdrop attract
our interest throughout the play. We watch the action enacted on the monitors between Emma and Reese as they make their movie, while Naomi makes her TikToks with youthful enthusiasm. This play and our world are intimately consumed with screens.

Costume Designer, Malory Stewardson Grillo, finds outfits appropriate for a college student, a professional, and an actress comfortable with her sexuality.

A provocative play, we are left wondering if it is ever appropriate to appreciate the work of abusive artists. Do the greats all step on others to make it to the top, no matter the damage they leave behind? How much valuable art would be ignored if we judged the character of all creators? Women have never had it easy. The MeToo movement began an era where men were forced to take responsibility for their abuse of power. Have we made progress? Campbell’s 1999 under Coreno’s direction leaves us with so many questions and very few answers. However, the questions must be asked and 1999 illuminates them.

The WAM Theatre production of 1999 by Stacey Isom Campbell, directed by Genée Coreno, runs October 16-November 2, 2025 at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA. CAST: Zoë Laiz as Emma, Zurie Adams as Naomi, and Caroline Festa as Theresa. Diana Quetti understudied all the roles. CREATIVE TEAM:  Stage Manager Nathaniel Bokaer, Assistant Stage Manager Luna Hayes, Scenic Designer Baron E. Pugh, Costume Designer Malory S. Grillo, Wardrobe Victoria Bokaer, Lighting Designer Jemma Kepner, Sound and Video Designer Cosette “Ettie” Pin, Associate Sound and Video Designer Dana Freeman, Props Designer Pamela Quirinale, Intimacy Consultant Kim Stauffer, and Vocal Coach Wendy Welch.

WAM Theatre is proud to offer equitable ticketing for this production and encourage patrons to select the ticket price that best fits their needs. Tickets range from $26 – $56. WAM invites audience members to choose from one of the suggested price levels. Additionally, WAM offers $5 for EBT card holders. https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/wamtheatre/items/630261/