The opening play for Bainbridge Little Theatre’s 43rd season is Rabbit Hole, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 2007.  It was written by David Lindsay-Abaire and premiered on Broadway in 2006. It opens on the BLT stage Thursday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through Friday and Saturday nights, concluding on Sunday with a 2:30 p.m. matinee.

Billed as a drama, it is recommended for adult audiences, high school age and above. The theme is about the inter-relationships of a family, especially how each of the parents, Becca (Megan Wimberly) and Howie, (Michael Brown) deal with the accidental death of their five-year-old son, Danny.

Becca attempts to erase Danny from her mind by selling the house, packing up his belongings and getting rid of his dog, Taz. She holds the dog responsible for Danny’s death as Danny was hit when he followed Taz into the street.

Howie’s response is with anger and depression. He obsessively watches home movies of Danny. He also attends group counseling sessions in an attempt to get help with his emotions.

Other characters are: Izzy, (Ariel Brock)) Becca’s unwed, pregnant sister, who means well, but is irresponsible. Tensions mount between the two as Becca is resentful of Izzy’s pregnancy and dubious of Izzy’s parenting abilities.

Nat (Kathleen Sarrette) is Izzy and Becca’s mother, who tries to offer a sympathetic sounding board. She attempts to relate to Becca by comparing Danny’s death to that of her own son, a heroin addict, who hanged himself at age 30.

Jason (Quest Brown) is the 17-year-old who accidentally hit Danny with his car. He is dealing with guilt over the boy’s death and tries to make amends with the family by writing a memorial to Danny that is published in the school’s literary magazine.

Although the theme is a serious one, Director Richard Whitehead promises there are also some bright spots of comedy. Whitehead said he hasalways wanted to direct this show because it is about real people and real life, with no easy answers offered by the author. “We were very careful selecting this play,” explained Whitehead. “Our job is to educate as well as entertain.” He further explains that Rabbit Hole redefines “healing” not by banishing loss, but by having its characters own it, then carefully place one foot in front of the other until life can be resumed or rebuilt with the pain contained.

Whitehead has high praise for the cast, saying it is always hard to dig down deep into your emotions to portray them on stage.

Megan Wimberly, who plays Becca, is appearing on the BLT stage for the first time. As the mother of a two-year old girl, she can definitely relate to the character of Becca.

Ariel Brock, who plays Izzy, is no stranger to the stage. She has appeared in many BLT productions; and as a graduate of Valdosta State University with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Dance, she has also choreographed many shows for BLT. She is the mother of a young son.

Michael Brown, as Howie, is starting his second season with BLT. He has high hopes of moving to Atlanta to pursue a professional career on stage and film.

Kathleen Sarrette as Nat, the mother, is making her fifth appearance with BLT, while Quest Brown, a senior at BHS, is celebrating his 11th year on stage. He, as well as the other actors, is excited to be performing in a Pulitzer Prize winning play.

Tickets are available at the door 30 minutes before the curtain call. Reservations can be made by visiting bainbridgelittletheatre@gmail.com. Or visit www.bainbridgelittletheatre.com for more information.