MARK AUERBACH
STOCKBRIDGE – The author Henry David Thoreau is probably best known for his chronicle Walden, a collection of thoughts acquired while living in simple solitude on the shores of a small pond. Thoreau, a native of Concord, was also a prolific naturalist, philosopher, abolitionist, and tax resister, whose essay “Resistance to Civil Government” or “Civil Disobedience”, has influenced philsophers, historians, and politicians to the present day. For a man who died young, he created a wealth of work which defines the American transcendentalist movement.
David Adkins as Thoreau. (Photo by Michael J. Riha)
Veteran Berkshire Theatre Group actor David Adkins wrote a solo piece about Thoreau, which has its world premiere at Berkshire Theatre Group’s intimate Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge (through July 11). His frequent collaborator, Eric Hill, stages the monologue. Adkins and Hill have worked together most recently in last season’s Poe, written and directed by Hill and starring Adkins.
Solo theatre is a challenge for playwright, actor, and director. It’s extremely difficult for one actor to hold an audience’s attention for an hour or more, without the support of other actors, musicians, or pyrotechnics. It’s a challenge for an audience to focus intently on the performance, so a top-notch director is required for the right pace. When it all comes together, such as Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Tonight, Julie Harris in The Belle of Amherst, or Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane… it’s riveting.
Adkins, a consummate actor, crafted a strong script for his portrayal of Thoreau, which highlights the author’s world view on civil disobedience, in context with the story of John Brown at Harper’s Ferry. It’s a strong juxtaposition to the naturalist Thoreau most of us know from Walden. Director Eric Hill gives Adkins’ script a well-nuanced pace, and showcases Adkins acting abilities. Together, Adkins and Hill create an intense theatre piece which require the audience to meet them more than halfway.
Michael J. Riha’s set and David Murin’s costumes enhance the production. Matthew E. Adelson’s sublime lighting design, and J. Hagenbuckel’s superb sound design are among the best I’ve seen this season.
I’ve been covering a lot of musicals of late, which really demand little of me as an audience member, other than to sit back and be entertained. Adkins and Hill challenged me to pay rapt attention, become involved, and to think about a master of American literature who brings up themes which are relevant now amidst today’s headlines. The Berkshire Theatre Group’s Unicorn Theatre is the ideal place to watch Thoreau or Return to Walden, because even in the back row, you’re only eight rows from the stage.
The Berkshire Theatre Group presents the world premiere of Thoreau or, Return to Walden by David Adkins from the words of Henry David Thoreau. Directed by Eric Hill. Scenic design by Michael J. Riha. Costume design by David Murin. Lighting design by Matthew E. Adelson. Sound design by J. Hagenbuckle. Stars David Adkins. Through July 11. The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge, MA. For tickets: 413-997-4444 or www.berkshiretheatregroup.org.
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
