Rodney Hicks, Peggy Pharr Wilson, Darlene Hope, and Joey Collins Photo by Daniel Rader

An article St. Germain read informed him that the Minnesota Board of Pardons considered situations for individuals who had already served prison time and now hoped to have their records cleared anew. Each person would explain why he or she believed it was time to move forward without negatives from the past not only haunting them but strongly limiting, for example, employment possibilities. Minnesota's program could encourage hope.

Thus, St. Germain, at the top of his script, notes that he was inspired by the Minnesota board and goes on to say "All names in the script are pseudonyms. The procedures and the applicants' stories are adapted from actual cases and rulings." Theatregoers find large laminated cards on their seats which are to be raised after each presentation with either a "pardon" or "deny" to be registered and counted by the actors on stage.

Scenic designer Brian Prather situates a number of chairs in a semi-circle on stage. Every so often, one views projected words, such as those of Ghandi, Jane Goodall, and others, behind and above the actors. Actress Peggy Pharr Wilson is first up and she presents Elizabeth James's case. She was convicted for committing arson and now speaks of how she is now a very different human being. Next, Rodney Hicks portrays Donnie Blazer who, imprisoned on assault, admits that he once was drawn to guns but has taken on a parenting role to help a single mother he knows. It's complicated. Joey Collins embodies Martin Johnson, who did time for assaulting a girl who was just fifteen many years ago. He served for a decade but is still not likely to be considered for jobs and, as a musician, is not permitted to travel. Finally, we meet Florence Pullman, who killed someone, a second degree murder crime. Pullman (played by Darlene Hope) is compassionate as she talks about her life now in which she assists some who are in abusive circumstances. That she once took another person's life haunts her to this day. That might have been a perfectly meaningful ending but, instead, there's a final song during which all the actors combine to vocalize: "Forgiveness, forgiveness, tomorrow is a day too late, put down the unforgiving weight, forgiveness, forgiveness..."

As mentioned, St. Germain has structured the play so that those in the audience vote after each case. An actor (as board member) dictates both the sentiments of people holding the cards as well as the eventual Minnesota official decision on the person who just appeared. On a recent Sunday afternoon, it became clear that people in the house were more disposed, generally, to giving the presenters another try by clearing their records. The Board deciders were not so willing to forgive.

Director Ron Lagomarsino, whose dexterity is necessary, works with these actors who do not over-embellish but persuade through St. Germain's telling, specific, emotive dialogue. Lagomarsino adeptly moves the actors about the stage to actualize the fine scripting throughout.

Peggy Pharr Wilson shines time and again when BSC mounts its wintertime 10 X 10 and she is terrific once again here. Rodney Hicks, making his debut at Barrington Stage, is quite persuasive. Joey Collins, with multiple New York credits, has a most challenging task and is successful personifying a man who assaulted an adolescent girl and who now seeks to move on. Darlene Hope mixes feeling with resolve in her character portrayal, too. Forgiveness is a heartfelt, dynamic new play and these performers fully realize its potential.

The playwright, as he has demonstrated at Barrington Stage with shows such as Freud's Last Session, Dancing Lessons, Best of Enemies, and Becoming Dr. Ruth, is masterful as he combines reality with imagination through his words. That this play is performed on a stage named for St. Germain is most appropriate.

Forgiveness runs through August 25, 2024, at Barrington Stage Company, 36 Linden St., Pittsfield MA. For tickets and information, please call 413-236-8888 or visit barringtonstageco.org.