Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield
10 10-minute plays by David MacGregor, Scott Mullen, Erin Osgood, Cynthia Faith Arsenault, John C. Davenport, Samara Siskind, James McLindon, Byron Nilsson, Maximillian Gill, Jessica Provenz
Directed by Matthew Penn, Alan Paul, Moira O’Sullivan
“I don’t unload my problems on random bartenders.”
This year’s collection of new works by assorted authors is probably the most consistently entertaining and amusing group of new plays produced in this series by Barrington Stage Company; it is their 15th year of the series. It seems that the group of plays all deal with the same concept: soul-mates, or as the first play puts it, “sole-mates.” Scott Mullen’s “Best by Date” gives us a look at the idea of sell-by dates in the lives of human beings and how that information can adjust one’s idea of relationships. Raya Malcolm and Avery Whitted give us their all in this very funny play. Almost two hours later, in the final play of the show—“Waking Greek” by Jessica Provenz—this idea is fully achieved as a couple, played by Peggy Pharr Wilson and Robert Zukerman, find themselves caught in the same dream that could possibly end their lives.
The cast is excellent this year, with no weak performances from anyone. Peggy Pharr Wilson has fewer character challenges than usual, and she delivers, as always, excellent performances in each play she is in, and they are too few this time around. Matt Neely is as good as ever, particularly in John C. Davenport’s “Love Shovel.” Robert Zukerman is entertaining in all the plays he takes part in, including Erin Osgood’s “Cricket,” in which he plays a man who is not what he seems to be. This is a special, tender role that again enhances the show’s perceived theme of soul mates.
The cast of six includes three younger players: the wonderful Maya Jackson (“Waking Greek” and “Best by Date”), the excellent Raya Malcolm (“Top Shelf Tolstoy” and “Tannenbaum”), and the flexible Avery Whitted (“”Love Shovel” and “Top Shelf Tolstoy”).
Much credit for the success of these 10 new works goes to the fine work done by the three directors: Alan Paul, Matthew Penn, and Moira O’Sullivan. With only 10 days of rehearsal, these three have forged fine productions of these 10 new pays.
The show opens with a tribute to the coming season, which features the 50th anniversary production of “A Chorus Line.” We are offered a musical moment in 10×10 as the opening “number” of this show (a hit song from that show), satirized by lyricist Matt Neely, prepares us for what is to come. This is two hours of joy that warms up a wintry day, and it is something that everyone who enjoys good theater should see. It is not a large theater, so book your tickets right away or you will miss February’s best event.
10×10 2026 runs at the St. Germain Theater in Barrington Stage Company’s Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield, MA, through March 15. For information and tickets, visit Barrington Stage’s website.
