Research for Final Scene

Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire

Background Information about the Play:

The play takes place in present day Larchmont. This play focuses on the lives of
one family whose world was just turned upside down at the loss of their four year old
son. Eight months earlier their four year old son Danny had run into the street to chase
the family dog, was hit by a car, and was killed. Becca, the mother, and Howie, the
father, are both dealing with this grief in different ways. Becca’s mother, Nat, and
younger sister, Izzy, also are their to help the family cope as best they can. The trouble
does not stop there. In the very first scene of the play Izzy tells Becca, in a not so easy
way, that she is pregnant. The family now must deal with this new addition to their
family and with everything that is changing around them. In a final turn of events the
young boy who was driving the car that killed their son has gotten in contact with the
family and comes to their home. He has written a Science Fiction story about how when
people die they live on in other universes and has dedicated his story to their deceased
son Danny. The play is not only deeply moving, but also has a sense a humor to keep
the audience entertained all while dealing with the subject of grief.

Spine:
* The spine of the play is “To Survive” each family member is trying to move on
and survive in their own way, shape, and form.

About the Playwright

* David Lindsay-Abaire received a Pulitzer Prize in 2007 for Rabbit Hole
* David Lindsay-Abaire has also written Shrek the musical (book and lyrics) which
is quickly becoming famous
* His other works include: Fuddy Meers, Kimberly Akimbo, Wonder of the World,
High Fidelity, and A Devil Inside.
* He is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the Julliard School

Controversy:
*David Lindsay-Abaire had said the reason he wrote the play Rabbit Hole was because
one of his teachers at Julliard had told him to write about something that scared him.
Being a father himself he couldn’t think of anything scarier than losing one of his
children. Many attended the show because they knew of the subject matter and were
intrigued while others stumbled into it by accident and had no idea what they were
getting themselves into.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/107364-David-Lindsay-Abaires-Rabbit-Hole-Wins-
Pulitzer-Prize-for-Drama

https://www.playscripts.com/playwrights/bios/163