"Rabbit Hole" Play Review

 Fiction Into Film 14 October“Rabbit Hole” The play Saturday October 9, 2010 was a success. I was rather surprised because it was so simple and it was the type of play where they read some of the script. The play “Rabbit Hole” was by David Lindsay-Abaire. The four main characters were Howie, Becca, Izzy and Nat of course with the exception of the young boy who accidentally hit Becca and Howie’s child Danny. It went exceptionally well. The director originally for the play was directed by Daniel Sullivan. In this play though, Grace Austin directed Amanda Barkley, Holly and the other actors in the play. Each gave a 100% effort and the illustrations of the role they played were well. The set design consisted of a well maintained kitchen with black cabinets and a black fridge/refrigerator. The refrigerator was full of goodies that Becca made. There was a couch, lamp and t.v. on the opposite end of the stage well maintained and kept. In the play, part of the props were Danny’s toys that Becca decided to get rid of because they reminded her of him and thinks that the house should be sold to get rid of the memory. Clothes were also part of the prop. Becca got her laundry and folded it. There is also a stereo where music was played. Costumes were normal dress. Howie came home to his wife Becca in business attire. Becca and Izzy and Nat wore regular everyday clothes. At night the play showed Becca in her night clothes reading a letter that had a story dedicated to Danny from the boy who accidentally hit him when he ran into the street. Each of the characters had a very good idea of their role and understood the feeling and emotions that were supposed to be associated with their role as well. The special effects consisted of music and dimmed lighting when there was a change from scene to scene. They had a very good choice of music. Lighting focused on the characters change or switch in role. The light shined from one actor to another when the attention changed to a different actor. Music also played during intermissions. The overall performance was a brilliant play about a family that lost their son. One day Becca had to run in to answer the phone when her son Danny was out in the yard. Boys like dogs so they follow dogs. The dog ran into the street and Danny followed. Danny got hit by a young teenage driver who couldn’t stop in time. Becca and Howie both live in deep regrets even though it wasn’t their fault whatsoever. Becca is haunted by Danny’s memory because her life consist of the day to day living in the same old house that he grew up in before he got killed. Becca insists they get rid of the house and sell it. Howie supports their decision and starts to put it up for sale and allow shows of the home. Events consisted of Izzy’s birthday and fights that went on that were arguments between Becca and Howie. Becca accidentally recorded over Danny’s tape and Howie got upset because it was the only tape they had of him. They also chose to change his room and get rid of his toys as they move on. There was a nice and simple ending were Becca asks, “What do we do now?” as she holds Howie’s hands after much triumph in overcoming their battles as a young couple. Becca has trouble dealing with her feelings and emotions at first over the loss of her son and Howie is angry as well. Howie recommend therapy and then quits when Izzy, Becca’s sister finds him spending time with another woman because Becca is sometimes unbearable. Howie then quits therapy. Eventually in the end they grow closer together because of the loss of their son wondering what’s next.