Berkshire Theatre Group
through September 1, 2012
by Shera Cohen
The program book for “Homestead Crossing” states that the
play is “about life, love and relationships.” Well, those three subjects seem
to describe the subject matter of just about half of the plays ever written.
“Romeo and Juliet” fit the bill, as does “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.”
Indeed, if one was to mix the pair of couples, put them in one setting, then
lighten them up (a lot) the end result is a bit like Berkshire Theatre’s world
premier of “Homestead Crossing.” However, even though the story is fun does not
mean that it is without depth.
Anne and Noel (Corinna May and David Adkins) live a
middle-aged boring life in their lovely home. Enter Claudia and Tobin (Lesley
Shires and Ross Cowan) who are younger, eager for life, and lost in the midst
of a proverbial dark and stormy night. Each pair is in the midst of arguing.
Seemingly disparate couples, the dialogue take delicate steps to intertwine the
four personalities through experiences, dreams, mores, and expectations. May
and Adkins easily don the demeanor of a mundane married couple with mutual
comfort. Their crisp repartee, with undertones of solemnity, creates a real duo
to watch, albeit relatively uninteresting to the audience. Shires and Cowan’s
characters intrude and infuse quirkiness into the scene (both actors are
terrific at quirky). They are the polar opposites of Anne and Noel. Or are
they? Ah, the mystery. Now the foursome comes alive.
Director Kyle Fabel moves his quartet on an even level in
the one-set (living room). While in some important segments the actors seemed
to be blocked by furniture, there is, after all, just so much that can be done
in one static room. Whether unintentional or not, the relatively even and
motionless set added to the purpose of the play’s focus. Although seemingly
insignificant, the title “Homestead Crossing” is, in hindsight, absolutely
perfect.
Kudos to playwright William Donnelly on his world premiere
and to Berkshire Theatre for mounting this special story of live, love, and
relationships.
