Michael Wartella Photo by Tucker Bair

John Merrick (Wartella) was part of a freak show and was called the Elephant Man. Circus-like, the show moves from London to Brussels and back to London during the Victorian Era. A physician, Frederick Treves (Harry Smith), takes an interest in Merrick, a man who seems to repel or engage people. Merrick's body is awkwardly deformed and his facial configuration is oddly and, it appears, painfully skewed. In all, the contortion is immense. The intrigued Dr. Treves, however, is more than intrigued. He is compassionate, wishes to assist, and brings in Mrs. Kendal (Laura Shatkus), an actress, with the hope that she can establish some rapport with Merrick. Merrick explains that he is in the process of reading Romeo and Juliet and she responds that she's played Juliet. Merrick and Mrs. Kendal ruminate about love. Merrick confides in her enough to tell her that he wishes for a mistress.

Merrick, despite his physical limitations such as the use of only one hand, is smart and talented. Every so often, he dabbles with a small church model which is set between the audience and him. He is cerebral, aware, and, in his own way, driven. Michael Wartella is a multi-talented individual who is also a writer and cartoonist. He has previously appeared at Berkshire Theatre Group, acted on Broadway, with national tours, and at many regional theaters. As John Merrick, Wartella is convincingly disciplined throughout. He never wavers and his portrayal commands attention each and every moment. This actor is remarkably adept and fully absorbing throughout the two hour play.

Harry Smith's Dr. Treves genuinely means to help Merrick. He is also a realist who ultimately understands that he will not succeed and that Merrick's heart is failing. The impressive Harry Smith has acted on Berkshire Theatre Group stages twice before and he has taken roles on and off Broadway. His credit list includes many regional productions, film and TV.

Bernard Pomerance, basing the plot on the actual Joseph Merrick, fills out the cast with a number of supportive characters, all of whom enrich the proceedings. Should you attend, be prepared, for example, to chortle at and with the Pinheads who wear creative masks. No spoilers here about who they are and why they might be shielding their faces.

John Merrick was physically repulsive or disproportioned or even grotesque by standards of his day. Would he be judged similarly here and now? What, after all, is a normal look and who has the right to stamp one definition as universally acceptable? Early on, John Merrick and Frederick Treves join to insist upon respect for Merrick. The situation is obviously unfair to Merrick but societies were then and still might be mean spirited.

Eric Hill's imprint upon this performance is a profound one. He was a gifted actor long before he became a perspicacious director. He's able to draw upon several skill sets when facilitating a show and is able to empathize with actors. He now delves into a script that is rich in implication. Theatre is a team sport and The Elephant Man, taken as a whole, comes together swiftly and becomes fully arresting.

The Elephant Man runs through June 15, 2025, at Berkshire Theatre Group, Unicorn Theatre, 6 East St., Stockbridge MA. For tickets and information, please call 413-997-4444 or visit www.BertkshireTheatreGroup.org.