IF YOU GO

What: ‘Rabbit Hole’

Where: 820 E. Genesee St.

When: Thursday, 8 p.m., Friday, 8 p.m., Saturday, 2 p.m., 8 p.m.

How much: Free

Comedy and tragedy rarely mix well together, but they do in ‘Rabbit Hole,’ a two-hour poignant play presented by Black Box Players about a family coping with multiple deaths.

The story begins as the two Corbett sisters, Izzy (Emily Robinson) and Becca (Jessica Bues), talk while sitting on stools at their kitchen table. It looks like the portrait of a typical family. Izzy recalls her day’s events and Becca folds laundry.

But the family is far from normal. The sister’s mother, Nat (Rachel Baker), is the unconventional mother who more often acts like a sister than a mother. Becca, on the other hand, always seems to hold it together and is extremely clean and responsible. Izzy is a funny troublemaker. Howie (Matthew Tolstoy) plays the ideal husband who seems to support his Becca anytime, anywhere.

‘My God, that’s so Jerry Springer,’ said Becca, as she responds to a bar fight her younger sister got into, eliciting laughter from the crowd. The audience delves into Izzy’s tale of how she punched a lady who later turns out to be the now ex-girlfriend of her boyfriend, Auggy, at the bar.

‘How do you get fired from Applebees?’ asked older sister Becca. The humor continues to hit the right chord as Becca attempts to discipline her sister for her careless, often reckless ways. Then Becca is hit with another piece of news: Izzy is pregnant.

At this point, the notion of death is not yet revealed to the audience, keeping them on edge, wondering when the issue will pop up.

Tension and suspense continue to rise, as the reason for Danny’s death is veiled until the second half of the play. His death is revealed when Howie watches a video clip of his son running around the yard during happier times.

Jason, a high school senior, unintentionally ran over Danny, who was chasing after his dog. Charlo Kirk, who plays Jason, moved the audience to tears when he read aloud his letter of apology to Becca, her family and Howie.

The memories are not easy for Becca either, as she is frustrated over how everything reminds her of Danny’s death. This is especially difficult because the family has experienced death before, when Izzy and Becca’s brother, heroin-addicted Arthur, hanged himself.

While reading aloud the letter of apology, Kirk showcased a nervous, fidgety, guilt-driven teen. His acting made the play more dramatic and intense.

Elizabeth Mitchell, a sophomore chemistry major, cried as she watched her friend Kirk perform in this scene.

Mitchell said she comes to watch Black Box Players whenever she can. ‘Not a lot of people know about it,’ she said. ‘I think it’s a great opportunity for students to get involved in theater.’

The director, David Julian Melendez, personally confronted death when his father died in November 2008. Melendez used his personal experience to create a powerful, moving play, hoping his audience walks out with a greater appreciation for the people they love.

‘Rabbit Hole’ is a must-see: great acting, a good storyline and a priceless message about life and death.

ekim13@syr.edu

Published on October 25, 2009 at 12:00 pm