John Cariani Photo by Daniel Rader

Director Ellie Heyman is nothing short of inventive as she maximizes the performance space. Will Van Dyke provides music and lyrics and Jeff Talbott book and lyrics for this show, the sixth they're written together. Talbott was evidently assisting with his own, older mother's life and times and thought to ask Van Dyke about a song exploring that realm. That was the genesis of this presentation. The notion of expression through a puppet carries, with insight, compassion and humor in a beautifully uplifting hour and forty-five minutes of theatre.

Immensely versatile John Cariani plays The Human, who happens to be a playwright. Standing stage left, Cariani begins with a medium-length monologue: "In the spring of last year, I got a call from my mom. We talk a lot. As in every day. So ... a lot a lot. She's not, you know, young. And so once a day, when I can't figure out how to write one more stupid word in one more stupid play, I call her, but this time she called me. Ninety-nine percent of the time it's me calling her, so the fact that she called me was ..." The Human goes on to speak of the town where he grew up and finally says, "Let's call the town Monsterville." Here's the catch: Cariani's The Human articulates these words and, if you watch him, you will see an expressive performer. It is fuzzy, the bright red puppet, however, at center stage, artfully manipulated by actor Teddy Yudain, who delivers the dialogue directly to the audience. The Actress who happens to be the mother (Cass Morgan) appears well into the production as does the puppet who represents her.

It's not terribly shocking to discover that the mother has a serious health issue. Amanda Villalobos has designed the transfixing puppets and she's created one whose eye grows redder and redder as disease encroaches. Scenic designer Raphael Mishler's set includes a sofa and an upright white display board upon which projections appear. Some hanging wind socks provide nifty atmosphere. Pianist Shraman Ghosh, bassist Carl Carter, and guitarist Ben Clark are positioned stage right. Ghosh and Clark have vocals and Carter blurts out some timely words near the end of the play.

fuzzy is a sweet, significant treat for those watching and, honestly, who would ever think, on the surface, that a musical featuring an expressive puppet could resonate with such a combination of charm and profundity?

John Cariani mellifluously delivers the production's first song with a lovely presentation of "Write What You Know." Later, he demonstrates a deft, unwavering touch singing in his upper register. Cass Morgan vocalizes the touching "Squirrel in the Wind." This is not at all a small musical. Rather, its import and impact are huge even if we have an on stage an orchestra of three players.

All three actors shine. John Cariani trained three decades ago at Springfield, Massachusetts' StageWest. He has appeared, on Broadway, in Caroline or Change, The Band's Visit, Something Rotten!, and Fiddler on the Roof, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. This is his third visit to Barrington Stage where, several seasons ago, he captivated theatregoers with his performance in Dancing Lessons. Cariani is also a playwright and his Almost, Maine has been widely produced on both professional and school stages, and translated into more than a dozen languages. Cass Morgan, new to Barrington Stage, was on Broadway in Hair, Pump Boys and Dinettes, which she co-created, and a number of other shows. Teddy Yudain, making his BSC debut, was seen Off-Broadway in Little Shop of Horrors and he has a number of regional theatre credits, too. Yudain is simply superb with the puppets.

Director Ellie Heyman, bringing with her multiple credits on New York City stages, artfully realizes the compelling, heartfelt promise fuzzy holds. Timing is pivotal and this director proficiently and fluently shifts performers about when the script calls for movement. She does so with precision. Heyman, the writers, musicians, and actors proceed with heart and sensitivity from start to finish. You, too, might smile through tears as you watch and ultimately rejoice.

fuzzy: a new musical runs through July 27, 2025, at Barrington Stage Company, St. Germain Stage, 36 Linden St., Pittsfield MA. For tickets and information, please call 413-236-8888 or visit barringtonstageco.org.