Barrington Stage Company, Pittsfield, MA
through
October 12, 2025
by Shera Cohen
The treat on the weekend of September 20 – 23 was a discussion by writer Ben Diskant, playwright of “The Weekend: A Stockbridge Story” premiering at Barrington Stage Company, which was the final show of the 2025/26 summer series. Director Alan Paul (Artistic Director of BSC) also fielded intelligent questions from those in attendance – some who had seen the production and some who had yet to see it.
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| Barrington Stage Company |
Various versions of Diskant’s responses about his play focused on the themes of 1) romantic love and 2) the physical setting in which the story takes place. Without spoilers, the writer loaded his answers with “what if” this, that, etc. Such is the life of essentially everyone: the all-encompassing and important question, “what if?” Diskant’s answers and examples, to some degree, focused on his writing process, especially because his lead character just happens to be a playwright writing his own play.
Next: the play at the St. Germain Stage.
The story of two couples takes place in the 1960’s in a cabin in Stockbridge, MA. Music at the start of the play is an obvious queue to the era, and the painted backdrop scene explains the location.
Tom and Beth have marital problems. Allan and Jordan, once a couple, are estranged while the spark remains between them. All actors are 30-somethings, portraying characters whose backgrounds intersect. The play works as an ensemble piece; each actor holding his/her own on an equal skill level with the others. No one outshines, yet none shine either. Bill Army takes the script given and uses it far more than the other actors to create his character. The other actors are Molly Jobe, Ben Rosenfield, and Sasha Diamond.
Anticipating the importance of the setting, as a part-time Berkshire resident and lover of all things Berkshires, the play’s title is a disappointing tease to bring in local audiences. Yes, there are often-repeated references and pictures of the Berkshires, but the play could have easily taken place anywhere and anytime.
Going back to the playwright’s talk in which Diskant spoke about each of his characters, their interactions with each other, and with their environment, told an involved, important story worthy of seeing.
Unfortunately, the end result did not carry out what was obviously intended by the writer. There is a core play here. With deeper insight of characters and backstory, “The Weekend” could be a weekend to remember.