#1
Posted: 1/13/06 at 1:06am
RABBIT HOLE Review
Geniuses Lindsay-Abaire’s new play, “Rabbit Hole,” fortunately has arrived just in the time to save an anemic Broadway season. Miraculously this brand new world premier, now playing at the Biltmore theatre, is now in previews and is better shape than most long running hits. This splendid play will no Doubt (well actually it is damn near as perfect) give theatre enthusiasts something to be thankful for; a true blue dramedy we can rejoice in. An emotionally charged, comedic yet passionate, two hour powerhouse that will not succumb to the winter blues, but instead spring eternal into what will hopefully be a very extended run of one of the best plays of this decade so far!
Without giving away too much about this hauntingly complex five person masterpiece, the basic outline is this: A mourning wife and mother, portrayed by the incomparable Cynthia Nixon with more inner potency than a determined mule, is faced with an incomparable decisions as she deals with the loss of her five year old son. Should she mourn in the same way as her husband (John Slattery)? Should she follow her sharp witted mothers (Tyne Daly) neurotic yet compassionate advice? Or should live be as simple as her free spirited sister (Mary Catherine Garrison) makes it all seem? After all it is New York; and don’t New Yorkers deal with life in their own special ways? Or so they would like to think!
Nixon gives the most mesmerizing performance on the Biltmore stage since MTC restored it to its present spangle a few seasons back. That stage is certainly on fire when Nixon goes head to head with each of her remarkable co-stars; especially the incomparably talented, and soon to be two time Tony bearer Tyne Daly. As Nixon’s mother, Daly has every single nuance nailed and it is only the first preview. Her mother attitude and dry wit and sardonic humor abounds in spades as she and her family deal with the untimely death of her grandchild. It is because of Daly and Nixon’s solid acting chops that one realizes we all must deal with loss in our own very special and private ways. How these two are able to spin the story to suit an audience is an art all its own; much like Brian F. O’Byrne and Cherry Jones did in last seasons “Doubt.” The task seems quite plausible with help from three of the most enthralling supporting talents on today’s stage. Mary Catherine Garrison brings a young innocence and unbelievable charisma to the role of Nixon’s sister that any fluently articulated performer may overplay. And no overplaying of any sorts does John Gallegher Jr. channel as the culprit of a very unearthly crime. John Slattery is a perfect mate that goes toe to toe with Nixon’s heavily burdened being. But when all is said and done, it is Daly & Nixon’s turns as the unknowing and wavering guardians that will leave audiences so stunned that a rupture of applause will engulf the aptly suited theatre upon the emotional curtain call.
Director Daniel Sullivan proves why his eye for detail is certainly unmatched. In the hands of a lesser conductor, “Rabbit Hole” may have not been the raving success it will most likely be. It doesn’t hurt that his ensemble of technical designers are full of unwavering talent. John Lee Beatty has created a set so lifelike in quality, that the air even permeates real life. Instead of feeling like one has entered a theatre, the theatergoer feels ready to move right in to the rotating marvel of a home. Beatty is one of the hardest worked and underappreciated scenic designers for the stage and with “Rabbit Hole” exemplifies how a set can be life like and certainly Tony Award worthy.
A more rewarding play cannot be found on any continent this season. They may try to invade our houses with transfers and revivals, but David Lindsay-Abaire has arrived not only on the great white way, but with “Rabbit Hole” has been added to a list of the greats! If there was ever a more certainty, it would be that “Rabbit Hole” is without a doubt a smash hit!
Geniuses Lindsay-Abaire’s new play, “Rabbit Hole,” fortunately has arrived just in the time to save an anemic Broadway season. Miraculously this brand new world premier, now playing at the Biltmore theatre, is now in previews and is better shape than most long running hits. This splendid play will no Doubt (well actually it is damn near as perfect) give theatre enthusiasts something to be thankful for; a true blue dramedy we can rejoice in. An emotionally charged, comedic yet passionate, two hour powerhouse that will not succumb to the winter blues, but instead spring eternal into what will hopefully be a very extended run of one of the best plays of this decade so far!
Without giving away too much about this hauntingly complex five person masterpiece, the basic outline is this: A mourning wife and mother, portrayed by the incomparable Cynthia Nixon with more inner potency than a determined mule, is faced with an incomparable decisions as she deals with the loss of her five year old son. Should she mourn in the same way as her husband (John Slattery)? Should she follow her sharp witted mothers (Tyne Daly) neurotic yet compassionate advice? Or should live be as simple as her free spirited sister (Mary Catherine Garrison) makes it all seem? After all it is New York; and don’t New Yorkers deal with life in their own special ways? Or so they would like to think!
Nixon gives the most mesmerizing performance on the Biltmore stage since MTC restored it to its present spangle a few seasons back. That stage is certainly on fire when Nixon goes head to head with each of her remarkable co-stars; especially the incomparably talented, and soon to be two time Tony bearer Tyne Daly. As Nixon’s mother, Daly has every single nuance nailed and it is only the first preview. Her mother attitude and dry wit and sardonic humor abounds in spades as she and her family deal with the untimely death of her grandchild. It is because of Daly and Nixon’s solid acting chops that one realizes we all must deal with loss in our own very special and private ways. How these two are able to spin the story to suit an audience is an art all its own; much like Brian F. O’Byrne and Cherry Jones did in last seasons “Doubt.” The task seems quite plausible with help from three of the most enthralling supporting talents on today’s stage. Mary Catherine Garrison brings a young innocence and unbelievable charisma to the role of Nixon’s sister that any fluently articulated performer may overplay. And no overplaying of any sorts does John Gallegher Jr. channel as the culprit of a very unearthly crime. John Slattery is a perfect mate that goes toe to toe with Nixon’s heavily burdened being. But when all is said and done, it is Daly & Nixon’s turns as the unknowing and wavering guardians that will leave audiences so stunned that a rupture of applause will engulf the aptly suited theatre upon the emotional curtain call.
Director Daniel Sullivan proves why his eye for detail is certainly unmatched. In the hands of a lesser conductor, “Rabbit Hole” may have not been the raving success it will most likely be. It doesn’t hurt that his ensemble of technical designers are full of unwavering talent. John Lee Beatty has created a set so lifelike in quality, that the air even permeates real life. Instead of feeling like one has entered a theatre, the theatergoer feels ready to move right in to the rotating marvel of a home. Beatty is one of the hardest worked and underappreciated scenic designers for the stage and with “Rabbit Hole” exemplifies how a set can be life like and certainly Tony Award worthy.
A more rewarding play cannot be found on any continent this season. They may try to invade our houses with transfers and revivals, but David Lindsay-Abaire has arrived not only on the great white way, but with “Rabbit Hole” has been added to a list of the greats! If there was ever a more certainty, it would be that “Rabbit Hole” is without a doubt a smash hit!
Updated On: 1/13/06 at 01:06 AM
