Evelyn Chen and Paul Deo Jr. Photo by Tucker Bair

Scenic designer Jason Simms has created stone tiers which lead to the beckoning pool. There is a long brick back wall, some archways, candles, and, to the rear, many, many colors which add to the atmosphere. Scott Killian's musical compositions are also dynamic.

Soon after an introduction, Midas (Gregg Edelman) brings us the recognizable story of this very wealthy person. During Midas's dialogue about family, Silenus (David Adkins), quite drunk, appears. Midas, who wants everything for himself, does give Silenus a place to stay after the man falls asleep. Midas wants all he touches to become golden and he achieves this goal.

Later, the Orpheus episode, "starring" Orpheus (Paul Deo Jr.) and Eurydice (Evelyn Chen), is dramatized. Orpheus so adores her but he is hasty in pursuit. Phaeton (Tim Liu), wishing to reach his father Apollo, drives the sun across the sky. Costume designer Amanda Roberge has dressed Liu, looking like he's a religious teenager, in contemporary pool attire. Phaeton rests on a float in the pool, hoping to get keys to the car, anything to be self-centered. Fedra Ramirez-Olivares plays Myrrha, who is definitely attracted to her father Cinyras (Adkins). Ramirez-Olivares is exceptionally moving.

The welcoming, continuous play, at times emotional and at other times comedic, transpires as one vignette gives way to the next. The actors immerse themselves in the pool yet are able to return, minutes later, newly wardrobed and ready for another role. The performers use towels to dry stone steps around the water to avoid slippage.

All of this was drawn from Ovid's "Metamorphoses," translated by David Slavitt. For the original, Mary Zimmerman also accessed Rainer Maria Rilke's poetry. The 911 tragedy occurred as the initial production was taking shape in New York City. That chapter in history is worth considering and conjuring as one observes the Berkshire Theatre Group production.

The performers take on multiple roles. Gregg Edelman is on stage toward the beginning and ending of the show and he brings a relaxed, knowing presence throughout. Kelli Simpkins has at least four parts and, facing toward the audience, she too is warm and direct. David Adkins shows exceptional versatility as Silenus, Cinyras, and more. He has performed at BTG in some gripping dramas and succeeds here in creating many varied characters.

Evelyn Chen transfixes during each of her many moments. She is a New York City dancer who has performed pieces developed by Bill T. Jones, Merce Cunningham, Lar Lubovitch and many more. She combines grace, strength, and finesse according to the demands of each of many roles in Metamorphoses.

Director Isadora Wolfe is exemplary as she interprets and facilitates with her stirring rendering of Mary Zimmerman's excellent, sometimes effervescent work. Wolfe has expanded upon her shining career as a dancer and choreographer and she now draws forth a number of profound performances. She employs various sets of skills to conquer the challenge of mounting a complex show. Metamorphoses catches attention immediately and sustains its allure from start to finish.

William Wordsworth defined poetry as "the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings." Wolfe, in her notes for the current production, concludes by saying, "Here's to finding hope through poems, mistakes, and love." This show evidences pain and hurt as well. Metamorphoses is dependent on a tantalizing, inviting pool of water, heated to be sure, and at the center of this production. The cumulative performance, thanks to all of the actors, nearly invites those watching to dive in with everyone else–if only that were possible.

Metamorphoses runs through October 26, 2025, at Berkshire Theatre Group, Unicorn Theatre, 6 East St., Stockbridge MA. For tickets and information, please call 413-997-4444 or visit BerkshireTheatreGroup.org.