This Production Keeps Audiences Guessing

Drama Meets Horror

A very smart, very well-constructed drama/ghost story by Obie Award winning, Tony-nominated playwright Lucas Hnath is keeping audiences guessing at RLT right now. This four-character play, three women and one man, explores the “thin place” or porous veil between the physical and spirit world, and whether how we perceive that mysterious world determines our experience of it. It also delves into relationships, ethics, and first-world guilt. All of that takes place in just over 90 minutes and is completely engaging from beginning to end. 

This is a character/dialogue-driven play. The characters are finely drawn as they reveal more of themselves, their relation to each other and their perceptions and experiences of the spirit world.

a Character-Driven Ghost Story

The black box stage is bare except for a rug with two chairs, a cocktail table between them, and a brightly lit area with an open door upstage left, courtesy of Set Designer Diane Burlingame. A young woman in casual dress enters with a cup of tea through the open door and curls up in one of the chairs. Eventually, she tells a story about her psychic grandmother who lived with her family when she was a child. Renee Landrigan is pitch-perfect as the young woman, Hilda. She is like a sprite, an elfin creature with a quality of innocence, and at the same time a bit of mischief in her eyes. She wriggles and giggles while telling her story, and exudes that sense of fear laced with excitement that people often experience at horror movies. Later, she presents a very different vibe, while still retaining that elfin-like quality. 

She is joined by Linda, a middle-aged English clairvoyant with a bit of a criminal history, also dressed very casually. Hilda seeks her out in the hopes of communicating with her deceased grandmother. “There is no death”, Linda declares, which is what her mostly wealthy clients want to hear. She says she acts as a telephone operator, connecting people from the two worlds. The two develop a friendship, as the older woman enjoys telling stories about her earlier life, while the younger listens in rapt attention. Margaret Massman as Linda exudes a down-to-earth, very assured and practical quality that draws the audience into her world as she attempts to commune with the deceased or tell bawdy stories about her working-class family back in England. Hilda practically begs her to talk about her work, while Linda refuses until, exasperated, she finally does.

Enter Sylvia and Jerry, dressed to the nines, laughing and talking, carrying wine and glasses for a little party with Linda. Sylvia is surprised and somewhat taken aback that Hilda is present. Jerry is happy to see everyone. He is something of a behind-the-scenes player in the political realm, while Sylvia’s work is to be rich. Kristin Tripp Kelley and David Mitchell have a wonderful time chatting away about this and that, pouring more and more expensive wine, and being very party-jolly until things take a turn, and the conversation becomes more fraught about politics and the haves and have-nots. The green-eyed monster rears its head between Sylvia and Linda, while Jerry acts as the peacekeeper. Hilda says almost nothing, just watches the others until…well, that would be telling.

Delicious Uncertainty

The Thin Place is directed without an ounce of fat by Artistic/Executive Director of RLT, Scott Behrend, and Assistant Director Hasheen DeBerry. Simplicity is the order of the day, which allows this stellar cast to shine without the audience being distracted from the action on stage. Sound Designer Katie Menke and Light Designer John Rickus also use their talents to great effect without resorting to bells and whistles. This all adds to an eerie, creepy feeling about what exactly is going on.

There is a great deal of subtext in the play, which causes a delicious uncertainty in the audience. And it has a few great surprises that make one question one’s own relationship to the spirit world. Hilda says, “We see what we need to see.” What do you need to see?

On an earthbound note, I suggest you see The Thin Place and be sure to read the handout inside the program for further instructions on how to chat with departed loved ones. They would really like to speak with you.