Theater Review: "Insurrection": Too many leg irons in the fire

12:00AM / Wednesday, July 31, 2002Print Story | Email Story

Insurrection: Holding History by Robert Oâ€™Hara, directed by Timothy Douglas at the Berkshire Theatre Festival, The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge, through August 20 In a BTF interview, playwright Robert Oâ€™Hara says, â€œI will not be limited by othersâ€™ imaginations.â€ Neither is he limited by matters of conciseness, clarity nor empathy. I donâ€™t begrudge him his imagination; however, I wish heâ€™d do a bit more self-policing or editing of it. In this tale of Ron, a gay African-American who is trying to come to terms with his ancestorsâ€™ background of slavery, Oâ€™Hara throws a few too many leg irons in the fire and hobbles the flow of his complex material. Insurrection begins with much noise that obfuscates comprehension, a problem compounded by Jake Goodmanâ€™s inarticulate bluster as a white reporter trying to get a story about Ronâ€™s great-great grandfather, T.J. When matters settle, we learn that T.J. is, improbably, 189 years old and has spent the last century confined to a wheelchair. Unable to move any part of his body save, for some vexing reason, a toe and an eye, T.J. communicates with Ron by shining (a form of telepathy). T.J.â€™s age is an awkward contrivance to place him as an eyewitness (presumably a good eye) to prophet Nat Turnerâ€™s revolting 1831 insurrection in which some 58 white men, women and children were slaughtered by rebelling slaves. Parallels to current religious prophets whose visions lead to massacres of innocents (along with the guilty) are not examined but doubtless make Turnerâ€™s insurrection the subject of most intrinsic interest. To get to the truth about Turner, Oâ€™Hara throws in time travel which, as handled here, is a notion that distracts as it sets minds to wondering what set of rules of time travel are being employed as past and present merge and members of Ronâ€™s family find themselves in costumes and action from the past. Along the way, Ron falls in love with the rebel, Hammet who gets his life dashed out along with the other members of Turnerâ€™s army. Ron also learns that the recorded confessions of Nat Turner are bunk. Oâ€™Hara is drawing links between present and past, showing how the later gives birth to the former and how similar forces are timeless. He makes some cogent observations, particularly in the (better) second act, but by the end of the propulsive, lengthy and complex journey, we havenâ€™t learned as much as Ron. Even if he hasnâ€™t, we have trod this road before in other works. Timothy Douglasâ€™ direction elicits committed performances from his largely talented cast, the exception being Goodman, who functions as a sort of token white. The notion has merit, and it is not the color of Goodmanâ€™s skin that makes him stand out as a negative distraction; rather it is his constant one-note, broad indicating, as opposed to inhabiting, of character. Then again, there is not much to inhabit. Far better is Richard Johnson who emerges from the near-comatose state of T.J. in the present, to create a solid character whose words have resonance and dignity. In the more substantial and pivotal role of Ron, Wayne Scott offers a sympathetic enough portrayal, but not one that is powerful enough to emerge empathetically from the rush of events surrounding him. We are similarly distanced from Shane Taylorâ€™s Nat Turner, but it is less problematic here, and Taylor displays the requisite religious fervor to make one wonder if the play might veer into territory similar to Marat/Sade. Unfortunately, the climactic scenes, meant to jar us, remain canned. The best performances are from Nedra Banks, Dana L. Wilson and, especially, Cherise Boothe. All throw themselves into their multiple roles with energy, spontaneity and craft that forcefully draw us into their scenes. As for Boothe, she has enough passion and pluck to constitute an entire insurrection on her own. Working as an ensemble in movements and dances choreographed by no less that three men (Oâ€™Hara, Douglas and Gerry McIntyre), the entire cast is frequently compelling even when these episodes only lengthen rather than deepen the material (this being especially true of a bit done with parachute cloth). As well, Oâ€™Haraâ€™s snatches of unexpected songs add little; itâ€™s reminiscent of Peter Barneâ€™s use of familiar songs in The Ruling Class but without the arresting effect. In his program notes, Douglas writes that Oâ€™Haraâ€™s play â€œforces us to question, explore and discuss the atrocity that was the American slave trade.â€ He concludes that history presented viscerally, puts us on the road to truth. Good sentiments. Insurrection might have a greater visceral pull with some judicious excision that focuses us more on the history and less on the peripherals. Ralph Hammann is the chief theater reviewer for The Advocate.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

What do the current owners love about this home?

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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