Berkshire on Stage

The four critics who review for BerkshireOnStage.com – Gail M. Burns, Roseann Cane, Macey Levin, and Barbara Waldinger – have each listed their favorite regional…

Working with only two actors, director Kristen van Ginhoven creates fascinating stage pictures, especially with the creative lighting design by Lily Fossner. Juliana Von Haubrich’s set is fittingly grimy and spare placing the play’s focus on the artist’s easel and paints.

A young struggling author jumps at a chance to work with an older and successful one, but it is fraught with challenges.

Here’s a show that has it all: great cast, fun songs, twisted plot, a man (and woman) eating plant and swift direction that keeps things moving along at a brisk pace. Critic Larry Murray loved it.

A very timely musical from 50+ years ago, “Fiorello!” and its youthful cast attacks both corrupt business-as-usual politics and the struggle of the working stiffs with good humor and great songs.

Critic Roseann Cane reports that “this production, beautifully directed by Eric Hill, boasts sterling actors who are not only up to the task, but inspired, fierce, funny, and fully realized.”

Sex over, she wants to send Johnny on his way so she can enjoy the rest of the evening watching tv and eating ice cream. But he decides he is totally smitten. Will love bloom?

The 1950’s were a very different time. Our dueling critics, Burns and Cane, explain the pre-tech era in which “Bells Are Ringing” takes place, and Ethan Heard’s staging with Kate Baldwin and Graham Rowat in the leading roles.