GREAT BARRINGTON — The English-American Alison Larkin has written, and stars in, a new play about her life: “Grief, the Musical …a Comedy,” which opens the Great Barrington Public Theater’s 2022 season. From June 3–12, the comedienne gets an opportunity to tell the story of her life in brief, with a concentration on her one true love experience. She gets this chance with the help of two Jimmys — in the form of producer Jim Frangione and director James Warwick, both of whom she counts as friends.
On learning that she meant to write something on the subject of her life’s journey toward love after age 50, Frangione pledged to produce the as yet unwritten play. He sustained that promise with nudges and bicycling drop-in visits, and loudly stated “needs” to get the play on its feet at his still new company, Great Barrington Public Theater (GBPT). Now in its second season, GBPT opens its June collection of solo shows with Larkin’s play. Viewed at a recent rehearsal, it is clear that director James Warwick is as much an influence as producer Frangione has been.
“This person [Warwick] is making me slow down,” Larkin announced to a room full of people working on the play with her. “It’s a miracle!” Larkin was still unsteady in her lines and was rushing through scenes, when the director poked her verbally. “Where are you going, Alison?” he asked her. “What’s the hurry about? Take a breath, look around, then move.”
He questioned her on small changes she made in the script and they talked about how the changes would have an effect on the audience. Her comic instincts were challenging her talents as an author, along with her memory of the real-life situations which form the core of the play. She deals in brief with her British parents and her American birth-mother, with her children and their father. “Don’t marry a man you deeply love,” she said, “it will make the end too difficult.” Her philosophy is neither American nor British, but strictly her own.
“Grief…” is not truly a musical, although there are songs sprinkled throughout, with Larkin’s own lyrics and music by Emmy Award-winning artist Gary Schreiner, who will be on stage with Larkin during the show’s run.
Larkin’s meeting with Bhima, the man who becomes her great love, plays out in the lobby of the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge. Throughout the first half of the play, Larkin voices others in her conversations, including her American mom and her husband. With Bhima the dialogues feel richer and less comic in tone. True love, it seems, tames the comedy of Larkin’s life. The comedy she is playing moves closer to its title. As her affair and engagement become more serious, so does the play.
Warwick is the perfect partner for Larkin in the play’s transitions. He’s sensitive to loss and to the British state of mind in such momentary modulations in her life. He also feels confident in speaking to her about these changes. “I know her,” Warwick said,” and I know how I can say things I couldn’t say to another actress, to someone else.” Occasionally he joined her on the rehearsal room stage to show her how to angle a moment for maximum effect, and unlike another actress, she took the direction, understood it, acknowledged it and made it her own.
There is a talented and professional design team working with Larkin and the Jimmys on this production: Costume Designer Arthur Oliver, Lighting Designer Brian Barnett, Projections and Sound Designer Jacob Morgan Fish, and Stage Managers Katherine McCombs and Nathaniel Bokaer-Smith. The set has been designed and coordinated by director James Warwick.
This show, and the three solo shows that follow it, will be performed at the Daniel Arts Center at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, in Great Barrington.
