REVIEW: “The Seafarer” at Schenectady Civic Players

by Dan Mayer Just on the heels of St. Patrick’s Day, Schenectady Civic Players feature award-winning Irish playwright Conor McPherson with their latest production. The Seafarer is a dark comedy about a struggling alcoholic with a guilty conscience surrounded by heavy drinkers at Christmastime, but there may be more dark…

REVIEW: “The Roommate” at Albany Civic Theater

by Dan Mayer In her director’s note, Albany’s own Benita Zahn describes Jen Silverman’s The Roommate as “a play about trust, change and crafting a life we want.” It’s also a play about a modern day Odd Couple with “women of a certain age,” but Albany Civic Theater‘s production has…

Berkshire On Stage Critics Pick Their Favorites

Holiday greetings from all of us at Berkshire on Stage! This is your Webmaster (Webmistress??), Gail M. Burns (and my dog, Sylvie). I asked my excellent team of theatre critics to write a little something about their favorite experiences of 2025. I gave them no instructions as to length or…

Favorites of 2025: Dan Mayer

100 Saints You Should Know – Schenectady Civic Players This was an early favorite, so much so that I saw it twice. A strong cast of characters grapple with questions of faith, all looking for answers but also comfort, and ultimately finding it in the emotional connections they share. It’s…

REVIEW: “Fuddy Meers” at Albany Civic Theater

by Dan Mayer A play that aggravates spellcheckers and invites the question “Wait, what’s it called?”, David Lindsay-Abaire’s Fuddy Meers is an absurd comedy with a disturbing edge. Albany Civic Theater‘s production brings the off-the-wall characters to life with a fresh cast at the top of their game. The title…

REVIEW: “The Girl on the Train” at Schenectady Civic Players

by Dan Mayer Author Paula Hawkins’ novel The Girl on the Train became an international best-seller, as well as a 2016film starring Emily Blunt, before being adapted for the stage. Schenectady Civic Players‘ production takes off like a speeding locomotive, but audiences may be in for a bumpy ride. The…

REVIEW: “Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train” at Albany Civic Theater

by Dan Mayer The name Stephen Adly Guirgis may sound familiar to theatergoers in the capital region. He graduated from SUNY Albany, and Harbinger Theatre has recently produced two of his plays: the award-winning Between Riverside and Crazy this past July, and The Motherf**ker with the Hat in 2023. Albany…