Quannapowitt Players' 'Rabbit Hole' Presents a Stirring Portrayal of Grief and Healing

Grieving takes time. Nobody fights battles alone.

Quannapowitt Players presents Rabbit Hole, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire. Becca and Howie grapple with the unimaginable loss of their young son, Danny. While struggling with the unbearable journey of grief, they reluctantly unbury memories.

The weight of emotions was deeply felt during Quannapowitt Players' stirring performance of Rabbit Hole. This is a captivating and well-directed play that merits praise for its magnificent portrayals of grief. There’s no right way to handle grief, but eventually we’ll figure things out.

At the heart of Rabbit Hole are Becca and Howie, played tremendously by Jenny Fielding and Tom Berry. Both characters have very different reactions to handling grief. While Howie chooses to wear emotions on his sleeves, Becca locks up her feelings, becoming tightly wound and quick to snap at anyone.

Their relationship is integral as they dispute the situation. Fielding and Berry each have emotionally challenging scenes, expressing anger or heartwrenching sadness. Their scenes together, whether tense arguments or unsettling silence, are performed with acclaim as they explore the layered emotions of their characters' impactful story.

Danielle Wehner (Izzy), Margaret McCarty (Nat), and Devyn Berry (Jason) play supporting roles. Actors courageously portray difficult and raw emotions. The cast does a remarkable job in their scenes. They all have different opinions on the situation, which affects their relationships.

Danielle Wehner is a highlight as Becca’s sister, Izzy. She’s the comic relief of the show, giving audiences a needed laugh. Wehner was great at conducting this character, who selflessly becomes the mediator to control arguments.

Margaret McCarty is excellent as Nat, the sisters’ mother. She has experienced her own journey with loss. The conversation between Becca and Nat is a moving and resonating scene.

One of the most powerful monologues of the show is delivered by Devyn Berry, who plays Jason. His monologue about guilt and confusion is haunting, filled with sincerity and vulnerability. His character is essential, showcasing a complex layer of grief.

Grief is a tough topic to depict, but director J. Mark Baumhardt goes at it with invincibility. He does an incredible job with every layer of this show, creating an emotionally impactful journey.

Rabbit Hole is a dialogue-heavy show. The dialogue is an important element. Often, characters avoid the topic, having conversations they wouldn’t usually have. That’s one of grief’s symptoms.

The set design for Rabbit Hole is particularly striking. Set designer Ruth Neeman created a bleak setting. Dark and Subdued colors permeate the stage, fitting for the play’s emotional themes. Furniture and characters are so spaced out, representing the distance and emptiness left behind after the tragedy.

We can all relate to the show’s themes about grief. Grief is not easy, but we’re not alone. Baumhardt said it best: “Sitting in a theater with members of your community, relating or disagreeing with how characters handle the challenges of loss can be a cathartic experience.”

Rabbit Hole is an impactful show. I heard a lot of sniffles in the audience. I felt tears, myself. Some women sitting behind me really responded to the show’s relatable themes. During intermission, they talked about how happy they were to see this show together. Theater is a therapeutic experience.

This show is a lesson about grief. It’s a heavy play with difficult scenes that showcase characters crying or fighting with each other. It’s all normal. This show may be the medicine someone needs to reach out, cry, and share a conversation.

Rabbit Hole plays at Quannapowitt Players until June 7. Take a friend and experience this remarkable show.