Venice Theatre

Venice Theatre’s Stage II production of ‘Rabbit Hole’ is riveting

November 3, 2010
By KIM COOL
FEATURES EDITOR, Venice Gondolier-Sun

Playwright David Lindsay-Abaire explores the different ways in which people deal with death in “Rabbit Hole,” playing through Nov. 7 as a Stage II production of Venice Theatre.

When young Danny is killed by a car while chasing his dog who has run into the street, lives are changed forever and the family members involved each find their own ways to deal with the death.

Candace Artim’s casting and directing were right on the money. While Becca (Amity Hoffman) was getting rid of Danny’s clothing and anxious to sell the house, husband Howie (Jeremy Stone) was watching videos of his son and also going to meetings with other bereaved parents. Becca would have none of that.

Becca’s mother, Nat (Rebecca Holahan), who had lost her heroine-addicted son to suicide when he was about 30, was trying to help her daughter deal with the loss while also still grieving for that earlier family tragedy. Into this mix comes Becca’s younger sister Izzy (Geena M. Ravella), a bit of a social misfit, who finds herself pregnant. Jason (Patrick Mounce), the young teen driver who caused Danny’s death, has other issues, which he seems to think he can deal with by forming a relationship with Danny’s parents.

Audience members sit in on all of these conversations and actions, which are so well performed as to inspire a variety of reactions from the audience. “Rabbit Hole” is so well written, directed and acted that it goes beyond the semblance of reality. Whether we like one character more than another, we all feel something about each one of them and their challenges. Equal to the acting are Kirk Hughes' set, Priscilla Boyd’s costume designs, Dorian Boyd’s sound and Derick Kitson’s lighting.