Clear Space presents ‘Rabbit Hole’ opening Sept. 21

The 2007 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Rabbit Hole” will open at Clear Space Theatre Company Friday, Sept. 21. Presented in collaboration with The Lighthouse Chapter of Compassionate Friends, “Rabbit Hole” is playwright David Lindsay-Abaire’s exploration of a couple’s efforts to resume their lives in the wake of their young son’s accidental death. These efforts take different forms – the paths through grief are many and varied – and grieving parents Becca and Howie are at risk of also losing their relationship.   

Jacob Waldron (Howie) acknowledged the challenges of his role, noting, “There’s a great deal of emotional ground to cover in this play – and, on top of that, it’s not a scenario you want to even imagine. So it’s taxing; in rehearsal, I can feel myself wanting to think of other things. It can be hard to stay focused.” He continues, “But  it’s also extremely rewarding. It’s underscored for me, and I hope it will for our audiences, too, that grief looks different on everybody; there is no wrong way to grieve.”

Speaking to her role as Becca, Mackenzie Jones notes, “This role can’t only be about loss and death – rather, it has to be about living in spite of loss. And to do that, Becca has to find a way to balance her need to create order in the chaos surrounding her in the aftermath of her son’s death with the need also to be open and present in her relationships. Playing Becca is a wonderful challenge. We all differ in how we deal with death and process mourning. Blame. Forgiveness. Relationships are tested. But we can arrive at a point where, although the tragedy will never be forgotten or erased, life can go on.” 

Jill Hicks, co-facilitator of The Lighthouse Chapter of The Compassionate Friends, concurs, noting, “Each and every person grieves differently, and at his or her own pace. People have to find their ‘new normal.’ The loss of a child affects the whole family. It creates a hole that can never be filled – the edges just get softer over time.” 

Wesley Paulson, Clear Space executive director, says, “When I read the script for ‘Rabbit Hole,’ I was deeply touched. The realistic banter in the dialogue between Becca and her sister, along with the wise words offered by Becca’s mother as they confront the death of Becca and Howie’s son – it was just so moving. I think others will find this play speaks to them, too, whatever losses they may have experienced. There’s just so much to be learned in this play about the impact of grief and the paths people find through it.”   

Sponsored by Wesley and Connie Paulson, “Rabbit Hole” runs weekends from Sept. 21 through Sunday, Oct. 7. Performances are at 7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m., Sundays. Tickets for each show are $17 to $32, and may be purchased online at www.clearspacetheatre.org, or by calling the box office at 302-227-2270.