text: Who doesn't enjoy a mystery, especially one that really stimulates the imagination? Curiously, despite their popularity, mysteries have not inspired many musicals. An intriguing exception is "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick," now at Barrington Stage Company's Stage 2 in Pittsfield, Mass.
  Based on a 1984 children's book of the same name by
  Chris Van Allburg , the musical has returned as part of the company's Musical Theatre Lab program after being seen in a bare bones workshop last summer.
  "Mysteries" is written by Joe Calarco (book) who also directs, Chris Miller
  (music) and Nathan Tysen
  (lyrics), the trio responsible for last summer's successful lab musical, "The Burnt Part Boys." This season's production of their adaptation of Van Allburg's material is billed as "full" but it remains a spare and lean chamber musical. It has a much in common with Britten's "Turn of the Screw," which is also usually presented spare and spooky.
  The Father (who may be Burdick) is played by Romain Fruge; his wife, The Mother, is played by Catherine Porter . Their lives, which seem rather like something out of "Our Town," are turned upside down when their adventure-loving son Archie ( Ben Roseberry ) disappears one night. An open bedroom window is the only clue as to where he might have gone -- or been taken.
  The Husband ( Mitchell Jarvis ) is overcome with fear for his daughter's safety even though his wife tries to calm him. Marie Van Giesen plays both mother and daughter.
  "The Mysteries of Harris Burdick" plays through Saturday (July 5) at Barrington Stage Company's Stage 2, VFW Hall , 36 Linden St., Pittsfield. Performances are tonight through Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 8 and a matinee Saturday at 4. Tickets are $25 to $30. Call the box office at (413) 236-8888, or visit the website at www.barringtonstageco.org .