Stages

A digest of what's playing on stages in and around the Berkshires based upon reviews by Berkshire Eagle theater critic Jeffrey Borak. Capsules include publication date of the review, closing date of the production, performance schedule and production running time.

H denotes a highly recommended critic's choice.

THE LIAR. David Joseph's captivating title-role performance anchors this otherwise uneven treatment of David Ives' adaptation of Pierre Corneille's comedy about an adventurous young man in Paris for whom the unimagined life is far too dull so he invents and reinvents himself in the pursuit of love. The production doesn't fully grab hold until the second half of the second act but it is sustained throughout by a steadily driving pace and some alert, shrewdly crafted performances around Joseph, chiefly Dana Harrison as diametrically opposed identical twin maids and Douglas Seldin as a trusty manservant who cannot tell a lie while his master (Joseph) cannot tell the truth (2/20). Through March 24. Eves.: Fri., Sat. 7. Mats: Sundays and selected Saturdays at 2. (2:17).

Shakespeare & Company, Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, 70 Kemble St., Lenox. Tickets: $50-$15. (413) 637-3353; www.Shakespeare.org.