New Steel Beam Theatre show handles loss with laughs, hope
According to Donna Steele, director of the Steel Beam Theatre's newest production, "Rabbit Hole," this show is sure to make you feel plenty of "good" grief.
The play, a Pulitzer Prize winning work by David Lindsay-Abaire, centers on a young couple faced with the untimely death of their young son, who is playing in the street one day and gets hit by a teenager driver. The rest of the play deals with how the boy's family, as well as the teen driver, deals with their grief over the loss of a loved one.
While this may seem like the makings of a somber story, Steele insists this is not so.
"There's a lot of humor in "Rabbit Hole" as well - ("Rabbit Hole") will not be depressing," Steele said.
"It is, of course, a serious piece. It is also a hopeful piece and I think the audience will find it very entertaining and very moving."
"Rabbit Hole" opens at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8 at the Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles.
Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays until Feb. 7. Tickets are $25 for adults and $23 for seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Steel Beam box office at (630) 587-8521 or visiting steelbeamtheatre.com.
Steele, who is also the founder of Steel Beam Theatre, chooses to direct one show a season and made "Rabbit Hole" her choice based on the play's uplifting message. Steele also felt that the "beautiful drama" contained in "Rabbit Hole" made this play a worthy choice for the theater's ninth season.
"'Rabbit Hole' is my choice for this year because it's a beautiful piece," Steele said.
"It's also a beautiful drama about people dealing with grief and the loss of a loved one in a very important, insightful way. I like plays that deal with hope and "Rabbit Hole" has hopeful messages."
According to Steele, having the "perfect cast" didn't hurt either.
"Rabbit Hole" features a cast of just five that includes actors from Geneva, St. Charles and West Chicago.
Though Steele insists that "Rabbit Hole" will not be a dark play, she does give it a "PG-13" rating, noting that teens, as well, as adults should make it out to the show.
"It's certainly an important show for teens to see because a teen driver is involved in the story," Steele said.
While the play is not yet open to the public, a friend of Steele's recently sat in on a dress rehearsal.
"(My friend) said she laughed, she cried and that ('Rabbit Hole') made her want to go home and hug her kids," Steele said.
<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p>
<p class="News"><b>What: </b>The Steel Beam Theatre's production of "Rabbit Hole," a Pulitzer Prize winning play about dealing with death and loss.</p>
<p class="News"><b>When:</b> Performances are set for 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 8 through Feb. 7</p>
<p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Steel Beam Theatre, 111 W. Main St., St. Charles </p>
<p class="News"><b>How much?</b> $25 for adults and $23 for seniors and students</p>
<p class="News"><b>Details:</b> Call the Steel Beam box office at (630) 587-8521 or visit <a href="http://steelbeamtheatre.com" target="new">steelbeamtheatre.com</a></p>