MARK AUERBACH
STOCKBRIDGE – The Berkshire Theatre Group has a lovely production of Terrence McNally’s “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” at the Fitzpatrick Main Stage on its Stockbridge campus. One of McNally’s early works, “Frankie and Johnny…” is a portrait of two middle-aged people, Frankie, a waitress, and Johnny, a short-order cook at the same restaurant, who try to forge a deeper connection after a one-night stand. They both have a lot in common, and yet, they only see the differences, until they reveal the layers of the trepidations and insecurities, as their relationshp progresses. McNally’s script, laced with some great laughs, is accessible and sentimental, with undertones of self-consciousness and those uneasy moments that people of a certain age have, when they’re trying to connect.
Angel Desai and Darren Pettie in “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” at Berkshire Theatre Group. (Photo by Michelle McGady)
Terrence McNally has been one of America’s most prolific writers of plays and musicals, winning Tony Awards for his plays “Love! Valour! Compassion!” and “Master Class,” and his librettos for the musicals “Ragtime” and “Kiss of The Spider Woman.” He’s an Emmy winner for his groundbreaking TV special, “Andre’s Mother,” and he’s also known for “The Ritz,” “The Rink,” and this season’s “The Visit,” for which he was nominated for a Tony. “Frankie and Johnny,” set in 1987, shows no signs of age.
Karen Allen, the actress (Raiders of The Lost Ark, Animal House) who now directs at theatres when she’s not busy owning a fiber arts store in Great Barrington, weaves great performances and production values together to make “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” a most satisfying comedy. It’s difficult to make a two-character play seem effortless, but she’s given Angel Desai (Frankie) and Darren Pettie (Johnny) a lot of foundation to develop great characterizations and solid performances. They’re both, individually, and in duet, nuanced, and synchronized and a pleasure to watch.
John McDermott’s scenic design of a Hell’s Kitchen studio is great, and Shawn E. Boyle’s lighting design, from moonlit bedroom to studio aglow in morning sun, is superb. Scott Killian’s sound design, which includes a radio station on-air in the background, is brilliant. Hunter Kaczorowski ‘s costumes are effective.
Angel Desai and Darren Pettie in “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” at Berkshire Theatre Group. (Photo by Michelle McGady)
I’ve always been a fan of Terrence McNally’s work, especially his striking libretto for Jake Heggie’s opera “Dead Man Walking” and the emotionally powerful “Love! Valour! Compassion!” I was unfamiliar with “Frankie and Johnny.” (I missed the movie version with Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino). Berkshire Theatre Group’s production, especially Karen Allen’s direction, and two fine performances by Angel Desai and Darren Pettie was a nice summer Saturday night theatre experience for me.
Berkshire Theatre Group’s diverse offerings this season have been a delight. I’m so glad that I’ve had the opportunity to see such a rich array of dramas, comedies, and musicals there.
The Berkshire Theatre Group presents “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” by Terrence McNally. Directed by Karen Allen. Scenic design by John McDermott. Costume design by Hunter Kaczorowski . Lighting design by Shawn E. Boyle. Sound design by Scott Killian. Cast: Angel Desai and Darren Pettie. Through August 22. The Berkshire Theatre Group’s Fitzpatrick Main Stage, 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.
