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Behind the comfortable appearance of suburban neighborhoods, there are families coping with struggles and anguish that don’t translate on the 10 o’clock news. But in his Pulitzer Prize-winning play Rabbit Hole, playwright David Lindsay-Abaire shows us that these stories make for heart-wrenching drama. Now Bas Bleu Theatre brings Rabbit Hole to its stage, March 31 - May 6, directed by Robert Reid.
The power of Rabbit Hole comes both from its sterling cast and a set that’s sure to ring familiar for many patrons. Set designer Susan Crabtree creates a household that reflects the trappings of an upper-middle-class lifestyle that skillfully contrasts the look of comfort with the reality of a human tragedy.
We wanted to create an impression of a ‘McMansion’―a well-appointed home,” Crabtree said of her inspiration. But as the story evolves, we discover the home had a heart and it was ripped out. In the end, the house is just a house―people are the real home. They have to find their family again as they turn to each other.”
Rabbit Hole—awarded the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama—is skillfully layered, said director Robert Reid. Lindsay-Abaire is, I think, one of the best playwrights working today. His works are modern, funny, thoughtful and always have a strong woman as the centerpiece who is struggling with some difficult circumstance. He really knows how to write a play.”
The play debuted on Broadway in 2006, with an all-star cast that included Cynthia Nixon (Sex in the City), John Slattery (Mad Men) and Tyne Daly (Cagney and Lacey, Judging Amy). Cynthia Nixon also won the 2007 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play,” and the play was nominated for three additional Tony Awards.
Nicole Kidman produced and starred in the movie version, which received a limited theatrical release in December 2010.
Bas Bleu has assembled its own masterful cast, which includes Wendy Fulton-Adams (Nat), Nikki Gibbs (Becca) and Will Ferrie (Jason) from Fort Collins, along with Longmont’s Timothy Ackerman (Howie) and Greeley’s Felicia Tassone (Izzy).
Director Reid added This play has been a pleasure to work on because it is so well written. It also makes it difficult in a way because we are always discovering more layers of meaning and adjusting to accommodate these. There is always more to discover.”
Facts:
What: Rabbit Hole
When: March 31 thru May 6
Special performances: Free Student and Educator night, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 29, Pay-What-You-Can Preview, 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 30.
Where: 401 Pine St., North Old Town, Fort Collins
Cost: $22 adults, $17 seniors, $12 students, $10 youth, $15 Sunday matinee
Tickets: www.basbleu.org
