Saturday, September 12, 2026

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

J. Peter Bergman

J. Peter Bergman was the Director of Communications at Herman Melville's Arrowhead and, for seven years, the Executive Director for the Edna St. Vincent Millay Society at Steepletop in Austerlitz, New York. In the past he has been a writer for The Berkshire Eagle, Berkshire's Week, The Advocate, The Berkshire Beacon, and The Independent, and is a contributor to The Edge and BerkshireBrightFocus.com. He is a novelist, poet, and author of short fiction. His book, "Counterpoints," won the 2002 Friends of Charles Dickens Award and his second novel, “Cement Dust,” won a 2020 IPPY Award for fiction. He has been a paid theater critic since he was 15 years old.

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THEATER REVIEW: Dorset Theatre Festival’s production of ‘The Understudy’ plays at the Dorset Playhouse through July 19

If the work of theater interests you, this is a perfect play for you. If the course of romantic pairings intrigues you, this is also a play for you. If you just want to experience a fun time, see this play. It has a limited run, so see it now.

THEATER REVIEW: ‘Rebel Town’ plays at Monument Mountain Regional High School through July 19

Even the almost historical shows, such as “1776," emerge as dramatic triumphs compared to “Rebel Town.” The latter still needs a major overhaul to become a viable, memorable, and worthwhile musical theater experience.

THEATER REVIEW: Barrington Stage Company’s world-premiere production of ‘Estate Sale’ plays on the St. Germain Stage through July 25

This moving melodrama is perhaps the most unusual show you will see all season. We are lucky to have its world premiere here in Pittsfield. I defy anyone over the age of 30 to see it and not be moved.

THEATER REVIEW: ‘The Secret Garden’ plays at the Mac-Haydn Theatre through July 19

Good times are back at the Mac. I would love to have this production around for a long time, but it only has two weeks. Whether you know it or not, it is one musical that needs to be seen and appreciated.

THEATER REVIEW: Chester Theatre Company’s production of ‘Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer’ plays through July 12

For me, this was an unanticipated theatrical triumph. That is due, in part, to the talent on stage.

Berkshire Theatre Group presents Broadway musical ‘1776’ for annual community project

We have this now-classic with us until the 16th of the month. It is a good opportunity to celebrate who we are, and what we have, while we still have it.

THEATER REVIEW: ‘Swingtime Canteen’ plays at Sharon Playhouse through July 5

This is simply a show that must be seen. Sharon Playhouse jumps into the number-one spot of the season with "Swingtime Canteen."

THEATER REVIEW: Dorset Theatre Festival’s production of ‘Deceived’ plays through July 4

It is hard to imagine a better production of this “new” play, which had its world premiere in 2022. This is a wonderful season opener for Dorset, and it is hopefully a harbinger for what is yet to come there.

THEATER REVIEW: Great Barrington Public Theater’s production of the one-man play ‘Fragments’ plays at Saint James Place through July 5

First performed at the Becket Arts Center, this one-man triumph—developed at GBPT after Artistic Director Jim Frangione approached Petosa about expanding it—brings me a pleasant relief from my dislike of one-person plays.

THEATER REVIEW: ‘Fireflies’ plays at Shakespeare & Company through July 19

The run of this play is just a month, but it is a relief from the heavy drama that surrounds it in our regional theaters right now. It is a show we need.

THEATER REVIEW: The Mac-Haydn Theatre’s production of ‘9 to 5’ plays through July 5

Unfortunately, no show can be successful without a reasonable ensemble to support the leads. In this instance the Mac, usually so very good at this, has denied the women that backup.

THEATER REVIEW: ‘The American Five’ plays at Berkshire Theatre Group’s Unicorn Theatre through July 11

An unlikely triumph, "The American Five" delivers an audience-pleasing experience.

THEATER REVIEW: Chester Theatre’s production of ‘R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe’ plays the Chester Town Hall through June 28

Called a better prophet than an engineer, Buckminster Fuller helped create the world we live in now and should be an excellent subject for a play. This play defeats that concept.

THEATER REVIEW: The world premiere of ‘The Zionists: A Family Storm’ plays at Barrington Stage Company’s Boyd-Quinson Stage through July 3

This is certainly the most vital work of the season to date. It is a powerful, if imperfect, play, and the final moments are deliberately indecisive.

THEATER REVIEW: ‘The Addams Family Musical’ plays at the Mac-Haydn Theatre through June 21

This is a great way to open the 2026 season, and I am so glad to have seen it.

THEATER REVIEW: ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ plays at Hartford Stage through July 5

The company of nine players delivered a fine edition of the show, and the designers all delivered more than I anticipated, giving the musical all that it deserves and expects.
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