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Rabbit Hole Review Roundup...
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The Manhattan Theatre Club world premiere production of David Lindsay-Abaire?s Rabbit Hole opened on February 2nd at the Biltmore Theatre. Directed by Tony Award-winner Daniel Sullivan, the cast features (in alphabetical order): Tyne Daly (Nat), John Gallagher Jr. (Jason), Mary Catherine Garrison (Izzy), Cynthia Nixon (Becca), and John Slattery (Howie). So, what'd the critics think?
Howard Kissel for the NY Daily News writes that "With a top-flight cast, including Cynthia Nixon and Tyne Daly, and Daniel Sullivan directing, "Rabbit Hole" ought to have been a powerhouse evening. I'm afraid I found it more like a TV Movie of the Week." He sums up writing that "Ultimately, however, "Rabbit Hole" is thin gruel. Lindsay-Abaire's earlier plays, like "Fuddy Meers" and "Kimberly Akimbo," were extravagantly imaginative. By contrast, this one is tiresomely mundane."
Michael Kuchwara for The Associated Press writes "In his past, more comic plays, Lindsay-Abaire has often been accused of overdosing on aggressive cuteness and whimsey, anchoring his works in a strident unreality. That charge can't be made against "Rabbit Hole," a remarkable, affecting redirection of his considerable talent."
Clive Barnes for the New York Post writes that "THERE may be as many patterns of grieving as there are causes for grief. David Lindsay-Abaire's "Rabbit Hole," which the Manhattan Theatre Club opened last night at the Biltmore, is about grief, grieving and the stresses it places on a family. It's also about Cynthia Nixon getting her Broadway groove back after her successful but potentially career-debilitating stint on "Sex and the City." Rest assured: Cast as a traumatized Westchester housewife, she demonstrates once more that she's among the most rewardingly nuanced stage actresses of her generation. Unfortunately, the play itself ? which reveals bit by careful bit the tragedy that has engulfed a fairly commonplace suburban couple ? soon develops into a dramatized agony column. "
Elysa Gardner for USA Today gives the show 3 out of 4 stars, and writes that "Notwithstanding a few corny flourishes ? among them John Gromada's made-for-TV incidental music ? these performances add to Hole's authenticity. I don't frequently advise people to pay good money to have their hearts broken, but trust me on this one."
For Variety, David Rooney's take is that "Detractors of David Lindsay-AbaireDavid Lindsay-Abaire's work often complain that his taste for contrived whimsy gets in the way of truth and real human feeling. Putting aside his usual eccentricities in his Broadway debut, "Rabbit Hole," the playwright has crafted a drama that's not just a departure but a revelation -- an intensely emotional examination of grief, laced with wit, insightfulness, compassion and searing honesty. Daniel Sullivan's superbly focused production for Manhattan Theater Club maximizes these qualities, as does his cast, led by the wonderful Cynthia Nixon in what will surely be among the finest performances on a New York stage this season."
For Newsday, Linda Winer writes that "The characters go from grief to unbearable sorrow to sadness. The drama, alas, goes nowhere."
Lastly for this roundup, for the New York Times Ben Brantley writes that "Anyone who has ever gone through the possessions of a deceased family member or close friend understands instantly the crispness of Becca's tone. But without even flinching, Ms. Nixon makes it clear that the wound beneath the Band-Aid never really stops hurting. Nat, who lost a son of her own, says as much later in the scene. But the cast has already let us know this with an expressiveness that ? like great sorrow ? is beyond words." Overall there's some mixed reviews on the play itself, but stellar marks all around for the show's top-notch cast. If you're looking for a teary, well-received drama - this could be the show for you!
Posted on February 03, 2006 - by
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About the Author:Robert Diamond is the founder and editor-in-chief of BroadwayWorld.com, the premiere theater site on the net now receiving over 100,000 unique visitors a day. He is also the owner of Wisdom Digital Media - www.wisdomdigital.com - an award-winning leading designer of entertainment and technology web sites. He is also the lead producer on BroadwayWorld.com's consistently sold-out Joe's Pub concert series, and Standing Ovations benefit concerts. Diamond was also named one of the "Top thirty magazine industry executives under the age of 30" by Folio magazine. Robert holds a BS degree in information management and technology from the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University. Visit his blog at www.robertdiamond.com.
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