David Adkins and Tara Franklin in Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo (Zoo story) . Photo by Emma Rotherberg-Ware.
by Mark G. Auerbach
Even though I’ve been covering theatre for years, I’m like a kid on Christmas morning, when a theatre announces a new season. When Berkshire Theatre Group announced a production of Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo (Zoo story), to be staged by Eric Hill, a director I worked with thirty years ago at StageWest, and an artist who balances the playwright’s intent with the audience’s expectations, I was thrust into a state of perpetual anticipation. Then, Hill announced his cast of three of regional theatre’s finest: David Adkins, a master of nuance so brilliant in last season’s Bakelite Masterpiece; Tara Franklin, star of The Homecoming which was also staged by Hill, and Joey Collins, an alum of Hill’s The Homecoming as well. For me, At Home at the Zoo (Zoo story) has been my “must see” theatre this summer.
At Home at the Zoo (Zoo story) first appeared as a one-act, The Zoo Story, early in Albee’s prolific career. Paired with Samuel Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape, The Zoo Story opened in Berlin in 1959, and was mounted Off-Broadway the following year, before Albee wrote his most famous work, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Albee revised The Zoo Story and gave it a first act, and the new play, now titled Peter and Jerry, had its world premiere at Hartford Stage in 2004; it had an off-Broadway run with Bull Pullman starring, and other regional theatre productions, before the current version At Home at the Zoo (Zoo story) satisfied Albee. The version performed at BTG is the only version licensed by Albee’s estate, who gets approval over the producing theatre, director, cast, and design elements.
The Albee estate will not be disappointed in any aspect of Berkshire Theatre Group’s production. Randall Parsons’ beautiful set juxtaposes a smartly-decorated New York apartment with a Central Park bench. David Murin’s costumes are perfection, including a chic set of lounge pajamas for Ann, the character played by Tara Franklin. Solomon Weisbard’s lighting is superb as well. Eric Hill’s direction is so true to Albee’s intent, balancing the humor with the shock value, and giving meaning to every pause. It’s brilliant.
Joey Collins and David Adkins in Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo (Zoo story) . Photo by Emma Rotherberg-Ware.
The new first act gives Peter, a publisher of textbooks, a backstory. Peter, played by David Adkins, is successfully married to Ann, played by Tara Franklin. It’s a relationship that’s become routine–polite, caring, but without any spontaneity, until some spontaneous combustion turns their relationship, through twists and turns, into something new. Albee’s lines are rich in humor, but beneath the laughs are serious doings. In the second act, the original Zoo Story, we meet Jerry, played by Joey Collins, who interacts with Peter on a park bench. Their encounter, also moved along by Albee’s humor, takes a darker edge, and the shocking end of the play takes the breath away.
David Adkins as Peter, handles the role with style. Peter doesn’t act, but reacts, and Adkins’ timing and reactions are solid. Tara Franklin and Joey Collins have the dramatic fireworks, she as a mannered housewife, seething beneath the surface; he as a quirky drifter who weaves stories. Franklin and Collins offer some of the best performances I’ve seen this year. The company is top of the line throughout..
For the serious theatregoer, At Home at the Zoo (Zoo story) will enthrall. Superlative writing, solid direction, superb acting, and a great creative team showcase the best that Berkshire Theatre Group has to offer.
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The Berkshire Theatre Group presents At Home at the Zoo (Zoo story). by Edward Albee. Directed by Eric Hill. Scenic design by Randall Parsons. Costume design by David Murin.. Lighting design by Solomon Weisbard. Sound design by J Hagenbuckle. Cast: David Adkins, Joey Collins, Tara Franklin.. Through Auhust 26. The Berkshire Theatre Group’s 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. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat Radio on 89.5fm/WSKB Radio.
