By D. A. Blackburn
Grief is a powerful emotion, and a subject that can make for potent drama. But it's not a theme generally associated with funny, insightful and satisfying theater. After all, grief is dark, and exceptionally personal. Though everyone can relate to it, we don't go out of our way to face it, or to discuss it. But the latest production at Northville's Tipping Point Theatre puts grief front and center, and the result is one of the most engaging, heart-wrenching plays in recent memory.
"Rabbit Hole" by David Lindsay-Abaire is a far cry from the playwright's earlier works, but it is little wonder that it received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2007. It is a disarmingly human story, full of complex characters and emotions. But what really sets "Rabbit Hole" apart from Lindsay-Abaire's previous efforts is its complete lack of whimsy. It is a very serious work, which feels strikingly organic for its realism.
In "Rabbit Hole," Lindsay-Abaire transports us to a place no one could ever hope to visit – inside the grieving process of a family who has just experienced the unexpected loss of a child. Mother, father, aunt and grandmother all struggle to cope with the loss, and make sense of the senseless. The story that emerges is a sincere and genuinely touching look at love and life.
Tipping Point's production is a fine showcase for Lindsay-Abaire's writing, bolstering the script's true-to-life feel with elegant design and technical work and a talented cast.
As Becca, the grieving mother, Hallie Bard gives a standout performance. Her heartache and anger seem palpable, and her expressive acting feels very natural.
Likewise, the show's other two ladies, Maggie Meyer (sister Izzy) and Ruth Crawford (mother Nat), provide strong supporting performances. As Howie, the grieving father, Jeff Thomakos is superb. It's through these roles that Lindsay-Abaire illustrates the depth of grief and the individual mechanisms people use to cope. Each shares a sense of responsibility for the death, though none are truly at fault.
Perhaps the most interesting role in "Rabbit Hole" is that of Jason, the teenage driver responsible for the accident that killed Becca and Howie's son. As Jason, Matt Hollerbach paints a convincing picture of the guilt-ridden teen. Ultimately, it's a meeting with Jason that delivers Becca from her grief, and Hollerbach is able to create a perfect tension and awkwardness in this pivotal scene.
For "Rabbit Hole," Tipping Point makes the most of its intimate space, utilizing every inch of the theater with Cory Johnson's set. Johnson, in turn, has crafted a beautiful home for the family, including a bedroom for Danny that serves as an ever-present reminder of his absence. The show's production value is very high, and the company has taken a detail-oriented approach to all the design elements.
This production of "Rabbit Hole" is a top notch offering in all respects, and a thoroughly satisfying theatrical experience.
REVIEW:
'Rabbit Hole'
Tipping Point Theatre, 361 E. Cady St., Northville. Thu.-Sun, through March 15. Tickets: $18-$28. For information: 248-347-0003 or http://www.tippingpointtheatre.org
