Shows that are must-see theater
There are two shows you ought to go right out and see. As usual, I got dragged along to both by the Lovely Roselle, an insatiable culture vulture. For the record, my intake of drama is usually limited to multiple repeats of "Law & Order," and my general rule is that theater that makes you think (often, this means suffer) is not for me.
But, last week, we went to see two wonderful presentations, one by Barrington Stage Company at the Mahaiwe Theatre and the other at the Unicorn Theater of the Berkshire Theatre Festival. As you may know, I recently ruffled some feathers at the BTF because some folks thought I was being too nice to the brilliant Julianne Boyd. I was allegedly joined in that conspiracy by a junior partner, The New York Times, whose political reporter was once so mad at me that he said, "If Mario Cuomo croaks on your show, you won't read about it in The
New York Times."

In any case, the two shows were "My Buddy Bill" at the BTF and "Elegies: A Song Cycle," by Bill Finn (who co-wrote "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"), at Barrington Stage. I would suggest that you run to get tickets for both. Do it fast — they won't be here that long, and the word will get out, and you'll be out of luck.



First up, "My Buddy Bill" at the Unicorn at Berkshire Theater Festival. Wow! What fun.

The writer and star of this one-man show, Rick Cleveland, who has written for "The West Wing" and now writes for "Six Feet Under," is one funny man. He tells the story about how he got to know Bill Clinton through a fluke meeting when the "West Wing" folks were given a tour of the White House.

He made friends with the president's dog, the late Buddy, and that led to a close and fairly intimate relationship with Bill himself. This made Rick an FOB, or as everyone knows, a "friend of Bill."

He tells hilarious tales of double-dating with the Clintons, of his troubles with the Secret Service and of a trip abroad with the president and his friend, actor Christopher Walken. The guy is such a good actor and such a good writer that you pretty well believe the whole cockamamie story until you get outside the theater and begin to add it all up.

I will say, as a fierce supporter of Hillary's run for the Senate and presidency, that author Cleveland takes liberties in building the antifeminist case against Hillary and portraying her as a bit of a shrew who is putting the screws to Bill. We have someone who works for us at WAMC who often chides me for something I've done, suggesting that "it may not be in the personnel manual, but it's sure funny." This is funny stuff.

I had a chance to speak with Cleveland, and he has an astounding mind. No wonder he's won Emmys and other honors. Never mind all that, he is here among us, and the show is closing tonight. Do not miss this performance, and make sure to tell Kate Maguire, the head lady at BTF, "Thank you for bringing this wonderful presentation to us."



The next night, we saw "Elegies: a Song Cycle." I loved every single second of the magnificent Bill Finn's work. The man is a genius, pure and simple. Every good word that is written about him is deserved. The fact that he is teaming up with Julie Boyd speaks a lot about both of these driven personalities.

"Elegies" is Bill Finn's story about people past and the demise of the World Trade Center. It is done with style, grace and tact. It's tough stuff but incredibly beautiful. Just bring a lot of tissues. "Only One," a song about teachers — Finn is a teacher — ought to be adopted by the United Federation of Teachers as its anthem. For those of us who slaved in the halls of an academic institution, it says it all. Another song, "Anytime (I Am There)," had everyone around me crying. It sums up what each of us has thought about someone whom we cannot live without for the rest of our lives. I want it played at my memorial service if I get one.

"Boom Boom" and "Looking Up" are the wonderful tributes to those who perished in the 9/11 disaster. It isn't all somber. One of the songs, a tribute to all our dead dogs, is both funny and poignant. The show will run until Aug. 28.

Come on, folks. This is what the Berkshires are about. Get going. "Law & Order" reruns will roll around many more times.



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Alan Chartock, a Great Barrington resident, is president and CEO of WAMC Northeast Public Radio and a professor of communications at SUNY-Albany. His web site is www.alanchartock.com.
- posted by Sarah @ 8/22/2005 07:38:00 AM