by Mark G. Auerbach
(This review originally appeared in Westfield News. Used with permission of the author.)
There are three heroes on stage in the finale of the Chester Theatre’s 35th season, the American premiere of Tom Wells’ Big, big sky. The first hero is Joel Ripka, an actor with many Chester credits who stepped in at the last minute with virtually no rehearsals to play a lead role. He had the blocking, the accent, the emotion and more down pat, and even though he had his script in hand, he used it like a prop. The second hero is Hero Marguerite, a local actress who started in Chester and has built a reputation in regional theater. She is an up-and-coming powerhouse. And third, the heroes of the Chester creative team. Under unforeseen circumstances, they Big, big sky a nice performance.
In a small cafe in Yorkshire, Big, big sky is the story of Angie (Meghan Maureen McDonnough) and Lauren (Hero Marguerite) and Lauren’s father Dennis (Joel Ripka). A stranger, Ed (Abuzar Farrukh), comes in. He rents a room from Dennis while he’s job hunting. Wells’ script introduces well-defined characters and a plot full of warmth that includes some comic references to veganism, Taylor Swift and Greta Thunberg. James Warwick’s staging brings several tableaux to life and keeps the movement fluid with the small cafe. I liked Ed Check’s cafe set, Christina Beam’s costumes, Lara Dubin’s lighting and Nathan Leigh’s sound. Ripka and Marguerite stand out, but there are also good performances from McDonough (who performed in Chester years ago) along with Farukh, who performed in Chester’s Fallen from grace And Guards at the Taj. Director James Warwick (who will direct The Majestic) A moon for the wayward with Jay Sefton this fall) helped the quartet organize a harmoniously mixed series of performances.
James Barry is expected to return for last week’s performances, but you’ll get more than your money’s worth when you see the show starring Joel Ripka.
Over three decades ago, famous Irish actor Vincent Dowling decided to start a miniature theater company and chose Chester, a small mountain town in the foothills of the Berkshires. His vision paid off. Kudos to James Barry and Tara Franklin and their team for their visionary work at the Chester Theater. They told big stories in a small space and with limited resources. They transformed the Chester Theater into a vibrant, living resource for the arts in the community. I can’t wait to drive down Route 20 to Chester next summer.
Big, big sky runs until August 18. For more details visit www.chestertheatre.org.
Chester Theatre presents Big, big sky by Tom Wells. Directed by James Warwick. Set Design by Jimmy Stubbs. Costume Design by Kathleen Doyle. Lighting Design by Evan Anderson. Sound Design by Daniela Hart. Cast by James Barry, Megan McDonough, Abuzar Farrukh, Hero Marguerite and Joel Ripka. Through August 18. Chester Theatre Company, Chester, MA. For more information: www.chestertheatre.org.
Mark G. Auerbach studied theater at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He has worked for arts organizations nationally and covered the arts for print and broadcast media. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat, Athenaeum Spotlight and On The Mark for WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. He is a regular contributor to Pioneer Valley Radio and a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association.
