Reporters ’scoop the poop’ in “Floyd Collins.†From left to right are Jonathan Kay, Neal Mortimer and Sal Delmonte. (Photo by Kevin Sprague)
“Floyd Collins,†music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, book by Tina Landau, additional lyrics by Tina Landau, directed by Jared Coseglia. Berkshire Theatre Festival, The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge, through July 3.
STOCKBRIDGE — Of the 1996 Playwrights Horizon production, New York magazine critic John Simon wrote that “Floyd Collins†was “the original and daring musical of our day, concerned with saying something in words and music, not merely bringing in da noise or paying the rent.†Referring to overrated shows like “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in “Da Funk†and “Rent,†Simon was, as usual, right. Indeed, the current dean of American theater critics was rather prophetic regarding the decade that closed without much ado in the area of musicals about ideas.
Seeing “Floyd Collins†today in the full-blooded production being given it in the Berkshire Theatre Festival’s Unicorn Theatre, one is struck with its timelessness and relevance to the ever-receding American dream.
The often dissonant musical is based on the true story of Floyd Collins, a 38-year-old spelunker who crawled into a sinkhole that he hoped would lead to a majestic passage that would link all of the caves in his part of rural Kentucky. Collins reasoned that such a discovery would lead to fame and financial success through the tourist attraction that would follow. Little did he know that mere days after he became trapped over 125 feet underground in the winter of 1925, he would become the attraction as between 10,000 to 30,000 people journeyed to the site of his entrapment. While Collins, whose foot was caught in a small cave-in, was periodically visited by a cub reporter, Skeets Miller, a veritable carnival assembled aboveground for 18 days.
The story was the basis for Billy Wilder’s acerbic film, “The Big Carnival,†which starred Kirk Douglas as the reporter who brought fame to himself and Collins. The film, told from the point-of-view of the reporter, was a brilliant satire on greed, the media and unreflective consumerism. Jettisoning that perspective, Adam Guettel and Tina Landau tell the story from that of the trapped Collins. It becomes an alternately rousing and rueful consideration of the literal depths to which a man will crawl to grasp his moment of fame and piece of the American dream. It is a paean to the durability of the spirit of the dispossessed, the people who envision more than their workaday lives provide.
What first seizes your imagination at the BTF is Mimi Lien’s impressionistically impressive set depicting the lean subterranean passageway that will entrap Collins. Abetted by Matthew E. Adelson’s sly lighting, Lien invites our participation in Collins’ condition on a nearly visceral level. The music, sound design and acting complete the effect.
From the outset, as Collins sings three songs accompanied by musical director Linda Dowdell’s versatile keyboard and director Jared Coseglia’s marvelous echo effects and sound design, we are swiftly transported to the underground world that Collins loved. We share in his joy of inhabiting a place never trespassed on by another human. And in Dalane Mason’s fully committed performance as Collins, we feel the rapture of a man on the verge of self-realization. In that trio of songs, Mason exultantly sings to and with himself and communicates with an immediacy and simplicity that are disarming.
When, finally, Collins becomes wedged in the passage so that even his arms are deprived of movement, the effect is deeply empathic due to Mason’s earlier free and soaring movements (some choreographed by the estimable Julian Barnett).
Cosegila has assembled a strong cast to support Mason, and the excellent designer, Marija Djordjevic, has costumed them in earth tones with rich veins of mineral deposits — the effect is that they have sprouted from the ground like outcropping rocks. Chief amongst the talented young cast are Rachael Bell, whose voice rings clear as her surname, slightly daft, and Colby Chambers, who makes Skeets Miller’s journey both dramatic and heartfelt. Given Chambers’ resonance, one wonders if there is another musical to be mined from this story or, perhaps, the Wilder film. A captivating, if vocally muddied, rendition of “Is That Remarkable?†sung and danced by three reporters also prompts this notion. As well, the plight of the rescuers attains an interest that almost rivals that of Collins.
Occasionally lyrics are inarticulate, but this is a vast improvement over the noisily engaging but indecipherable work Coseglia wrought from last year’s “Tommy†in the Unicorn. Coseglia has also done admirable work in his staging by spelunking every stair and cranny of the quirkily engaging theater.
Guettel’s music is not as infectious as that of his grandfather, Richard Rodgers, and audiences are unlikely to leave “Floyd Collins†humming the tunes that are diverse enough to seem disparate. But there is an earnest concern here about the human condition that underscores the best of Rodgers.
Ralph Hammann is The Advocate’s chief theater critic.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
State Fire Marshal Offers Cold Snap Heating Safety Tips
STOW, Mass. —With temperatures expected to dip into the teens overnight this week, Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine is reminding residents to stay warm safely and protect their loved ones from some of the most common home heating fires.
"We're expecting very cold weather in the nights ahead, and home heating appliances will be working overtime," said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. "Heating equipment is the leading cause of carbon monoxide at home and the second leading cause of residential fires. Whether you're using gas, oil, solid fuel, or space heaters to keep warm, be sure you keep safe, too."
State Fire Marshal Davine said there were nearly 6,000 heating fires in Massachusetts from 2019 to 2023. These fires claimed eight lives, caused 139 injuries to firefighters and residents, and contributed to over $42 million in damage. And in 2023 alone, Massachusetts fire departments reported finding carbon monoxide at nearly 5,000 non-fire incidents.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Every household needs working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of their home. Check the manufacturing date on the back of your alarms so you know when to replace them: smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years, and carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced after 5 to 10 years depending on the model. If your alarms take alkaline batteries, put in fresh batteries twice a year when you change your clocks. If it's time to replace your alarms, choose new ones from a well-known, national brand. Select smoke alarms with a sealed, long-life battery and a hush feature.
Natural Gas and Oil Heat
If you have a furnace, water heater, or oil burner, have it professionally checked and serviced each year. This will help it run more efficiently, which will save you money and could save your life. Always keep a three-foot "circle of safety" around the appliance clear of anything that could catch fire. Never store painting supplies, aerosol cans, or other flammable items near these appliances. If you smell gas, don't use any electrical switches or devices: get out, stay out, and call 9-1-1 right away.
Residents struggling to pay for heating bills or maintenance may be eligible for assistance through the Massachusetts home energy assistance program (HEAP). No matter what type of heating equipment you use, HEAP may be able to help you pay your winter heating bills or maintain your heating system. All Massachusetts residents are encouraged to explore eligibility for this free program and apply for assistance.
Solid Fuel Heating
If you use a fireplace or a stove that burns wood, pellets, or coal, always keep the area around it clear for three feet in all directions. This circle of safety should be free of furniture, drapery, rugs, books and papers, fuel, and any other flammable items. To prevent sparks and embers from escaping, use a fireplace screen or keep the stove door closed while burning. Use only dry, seasoned hardwood and don't use flammable liquids to start the fire. To dispose of ashes, wait until they are cool and shovel them into a metal bucket with a lid and place it outside at least 10 feet away from the building.
Have your chimney and flue professionally inspected and cleaned each year. Most chimney fires are caused by burning creosote, a tarry substance that builds up as the fireplace, wood stove, or pellet stove is used. If burning creosote, sparks, embers, or hot gases escape through cracks in the flue or chimney, they can cause a fire that spreads to the rest of the structure. Annual cleaning and inspection can minimize this risk. Contact the Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild or Chimney Safety Institute of America to identify reputable local companies.
Space Heaters
Keep space heaters at least three feet from curtains, bedding, and anything else that can burn. Plug them directly into a wall socket, not an extension cord or a power strip, and remember that they're for temporary use. Always turn a space heater off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
When purchasing a space heater, select one that's been tested and labeled by a nationally recognized testing company, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Intertek (ETL). Newer space heaters should have an automatic shut-off switch that turns the device off if it tips over. Unvented kerosene space heaters and portable propane space heaters are not permitted for residential use in Massachusetts, State Fire Marshal Davine said: the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning that they pose is too great.
Monument Mountain's Everett Pacheco took control of the race in the final mile and went on to a convincing Division 3 State Championship on Saturday at Fort Devens. click for more
Mila Marcisz ripped a shot from the top of the 18 that slipped just under the swing of teammate Adele Low and past the Mustangs keeper in the fourth minute of the second overtime to give Mount Greylock a 1-0 win. click for more
Mount Greylock dominated for much of the game, compiling a 17-4 advantage in shots on goal, not to mention numerous Mountie chances that went just wide or high of frame. click for more
Nora Schoeny, Gianna Love and Elyssa Scrimo Sunday led the Lenox girls cross country team to a narrow victory in the Division 2 race at the Western Massachusetts Championships at Stanley Park. click for more
Wahconah High senior Tim Kaley Sunday earned his second Berkshire Classic Championship by shooting a 77 at the Country Club of Pittsfield. click for more
