Playreaders presents Pulitzer-winning Rabbit Hole

Theater
Rabbit Hole
Weds–(N)Thurs, Oct 3–(N)4, 7pm
St. Paul’s Church
Cardo 6
10-peso donation

In 2007, David Lindsay-Abaire won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Rabbit Hole, a play that deals with a family’s grief in the aftermath of an accident that takes their child’s life. Although the subject is a tragic one, Lindsay-Abaire imbues his characters with the humanity and humor that allow people to transcend even the worst that might befall them. Elyssa Gardner of USA Today states that Rabbit Hole presents a tragedy “with utter candor and without sentimentality,” and she describes the characters as “thinking people faced with an unthinkable situation.” Michael Sommers of the Star Ledger adds that Rabbit Hole is “a beautifully crafted work of great sensitivity.”

It’s not all angst, folks. Yes, Becca and Howie, played by Jill Gottlieb and Michael Gottlieb, are trying to figure out in their different ways how to cope, but they are aided and abetted by their family members. Becca’s sister Izzy, played by Joanna Bryne, gets involved in barroom brawls. Then there is good old mom, Nat, played by Nancy Nugent, who muses meanderingly about the Kennedys and why they have such bad luck. Finally, there is the young man, Jason, who having caused the accident that took the child’s life, wants to see the family. He surprises us with his revelations.

On Broadway, Becca’s role was played by Cynthia Nixon of Sex and the City fame, Nat was played by the ever-powerful and watchable Tyne Daly.

The author says his characters are “highly-functional, unsentimental, spirited and often funny people who are trying to maneuver their way through their grief and around each other as best they can.” That seems to describe most of us most of the time, doesn’t it? 

Sound and lights will be handled by Eli Nadel and the play is directed by Bobbie Bell. Doors open at 7pm and the performance begins at 7:30pm.