REVIEW: “Trapped in the Car with Mom” at Barrington Stage

Reviewed by Gail M. Burns, October, 1998 Its a wonderful title, isn’t it? “Trapped in the Car with Mom” is a new musical-in-progress currently being presented by Barrington Stage in the Clock Tower Building in Pittsfield. The show was presented in staged readings at Barrington Stage’s summer home in Sheffield…

REVIEW: “The Triumph of Darkness” at Shakespeare & Company

Reviewed by Gail M. Burns, October, 1998 Shakespeare & Company’s annual Halloween benefit – is highly entertaining and a lousy night of theatre. I have been wrestling with this dichotomy ever since I drove away from The Mount on Friday night. What is an entertainment presented by actors with sets…

REVIEW: “The Glass Menagerie” at the Weston Playhouse

Reviewed by Gail M. Burns, September, 1998 Weston Playhouse is closing its 1998 season with a production of Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie”. This is a first for Weston – in all its 62 years of producing plays it has never mounted Williams’ 1945 classic. It may be a first…

REVIEW: “Simpatico” at Manic Stage

Reviewed by Gail M. Burns, September, 1998 The production of Sam Shepard’s “Simpatico” at the Manic Stage in North Adams is theatre with a capital “T”. Actor/director Spencer Trova and company have mounted a riveting production of a dark and complex play. I say “…and company” because this truly is…

REVIEW: “The Little Foxes” at Oldcastle

Reviewed by Gail M. Burns, September, 1998 When I was an aspiring teenage playwright, there were very few female playwrights for me to use as role models. In fact, there was only one – Lillian Hellman (1905-1984). Naturally, I was interested in who this one pioneer was and what she…