Rabbit Hole
If you're reading this review on line, there's a good chance
you've never been to The Chance Theatre before. In fact, you've
probably never hear of it; and that's your loss.
As a small 45-seat theater located in the foothills of Anaheim,
it is certainly off the beaten track. But big things often come in
small packages, and The Chance is making such big waves in Orange
County it deserves your attention.
In a nutshell, this gutsy little company has been taking a big
"chance" by producing provocative theater that continually challenges
both the actors on stage and people in the audience.
It's efforts have paid off and word of its success has spred like
wildfire. Recently, just months shy of its tenth birthday, The
Chance was voted the 2nd best theatre in Orange County right on the
heels of South Coast Repertory.
To see what all the talk is about, you couldn't do better than
attend the current production of "Rabbit Hole" by Pulitzer
Prize-winning playwright, David Lindsay-Abaire. The fact that this
acclaimed drama is making its Orange County debut at a small theater
in Anaheim is a sure sign that The Chance is making its mark.
"Rabbit Hole" is an honest, straight-forward story about the
death of a small child, and the havoc and unspeakable pain that
almost destroys the people involved.
Beautifully written by Lindsay-Abaire, it's a heart-wrenching
side of life that everyone in the audience can relate to if it's not
over-acted, sentimentalized, or made maudlin. Kudos to Oahn Nguyen
for his impeccable, sensitive direction of this timeless tragedy;
and to his five-member ensemble who play off of each other like
well-tempered chambre music.
Masako Tobaru's set design and projections are sheer magic that
turn the couple's lovely living room into a child's nursery during
flash-backs; KC Wilkerson's light design creates both mood and
illusion for the transitions; and Erika Miller's costumes are perfect
for real characters who live in the real world and go through a
devastating family crisis.
You couldn't ask for a finer cast. Jennifer Ruckman and Jonathon
Lamer turn in flawless portrayals of the young grieving parents (Becca
and Howie) who struggle to come to grips with their lives after the
death of their four-year-old son, Danny.
(It was an accident, it happened so fast, it couldn't be helped!
He ran after his dog into the street, it's not my fault! He loved
the dog, but you brought it home, it's your fault! I hated the dog,
but it's still alive, and now Danny is dead!)
Alex Bueon is delightful as Izzy, Becca's kooky, free-spirited
sister, who discovers she's pregnant while Becca is still mourning
the death of her son; and Karen Webster is outstanding as Nat, the
mother of two girls whose temperament couldn't be more disparate.
Seemingly happy-go-lucky, laissez-faire, and able to roll with
the punches, Nat reveals her own secret turmoil when she tries to help
Becca get through her suffering. As in real life, the parents go
from stoic acceptance and agonizing inner pain, to ribald jokes and
desperate humor, then back again to controlled composure. Anything
at hand to get through one unbearable day after another.
Then quite unexpectedly, Jason enters the picture. Kevin Johnson
is riveting as the nervous teenage boy who accidentally caused
Danny's death. Jason is full of so much remorse about the incident,
he feels compelled to talk to the parents. His courageous entrance
into Becca's life acts as a catharsis. Slowly but surely, healing is
set into motion.
If you get the chance to see "Rabbit Hole" at The Chance, you'll
be well rewarded. This is a first-rate production. Due to popular demand
after it sold out, it has been extended through June 15th.
For tickets and further information, call (714) 777-3033 or
go online at www.chancetheater.com