Last chance for 'Rabbit Hole'
I want to put in one last plug for the Artists' Repertory Production of "Rabbit Hole," which is in its closing weekend at the Severance Building. (It plays 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday). You know, it's interesting how many times people complain to me about how they wish there was more theater in Fresno -- and then don't go when a local company opts to produce a searing, provocative work. The good news about "Rabbit Hole" is that even though the subject is very dark -- it's about a couple who have recently lost their child in an accident -- that there's a strong, bright, healing quality to the play. I've thought a lot about this production since I first saw it, and I recommend it to theater-goers who want to be pushed a little.
Here's my Beehive review.
Comments:
It's some of the better acting I've seen in some time. I really liked the production, from the great set to the simple yet very effective lighting.
It's hard to call what Michael Peterson does a 'breakout' role, since he's been acting for so long, but it's his best performance ever...and maybe it's partially due to acting alongside the great performances by his actual wife (and wife in the show) Jennifer Hurd-Peterson and Hayley Galbraith. The performances are very real.
And, not to be confused, while this play has a depressing theme, it's still funny. It reminds me very much of "Ordinary People," that equally poignant film from 1980 (I had to look that up).
Definitely go see this.
Posted by: Stephen at February 13, 2009 2:24 AM
A stellar cast, and impeccable directing. Any audience member will feel as if they are sitting right in the living room with these characters. The play is quite moving, and
very real on a human level. I felt the pain of the couple, and I identified with all of the challenges they faced in
many aspects of their lives. How we deal with intense grief is a many-faceted supposition. And the implications it brings up with other family members is also shown with the
incredible performances of the wife's mother and siter. I am personally blown away by the talents of Jennifer and Michael Peterson. Fresno is so lucky to have them both, as they have contributed so much to the dramatic arts here!
Posted by: JANET at February 13, 2009 11:30 AM
This is excellent theatre. Plain and simple.
Posted by: Heather Parish at February 13, 2009 5:36 PM
I have commented on the previous posts with regard to this play, but it bears repeating what a phenomenal job they have done.
Posted by: Vince at February 13, 2009 9:54 PM
Donald:
Julie Ann Keller did a very nice job with this show. It seems the director gets forgotten now a days. I am curious who is directing the other shows Fresno will be seeing this year. I know Scott Hancock directed Footloose and Elizabeth Fiester is directing Little Women at GCP, but what about the other shows in town, im interested in what they have done before as well?
GCP: Sweet Charity? Hairspray? Married Alive?
At CMT: Evita? High School Musical 2? Alice and Wonderland?
Centerstage: Beauty and the Beast?
I am looking forward to such a good season for kids and adults! Let us know Donald!
Posted by: MaryAnne at February 15, 2009 9:21 AM
MaryAnn-- you are certainly correct that the director often gets forgotten. . . but I find it happens most often when a show is good. When a show is poorly done, the director takes the brunt of the criticism (and rightly so).
At Woodward Shakespeare Festival this year, the directors are:
AS YOU LIKE IT: Mike Peterson, who you saw as 'Howie', the husband, in "Rabbit Hole" is directing. He also directed "Arcadia" and "Glengarry Glen Ross" at ART.
RICHARD III: Arlene Schulman, who directed our "Hamlet" last year, will return for the 2009 tragedy.
Heather Parish
Artistic Director, WSF
www.woodwardshakespeare.org
Posted by: Heather Parish at February 16, 2009 4:34 PM
CMT just posted their directors for this summer. Eric Estep is directing Alice in Wonderland, Skyler Gray is directing High School Musical 2 and Terry Lewis is directing Evita. I know who Terry Lewis is, but not the other two. Anyone know?
Posted by: Annie Bonner at February 17, 2009 12:24 AM
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