The Thin Place
By Lucas Hnath
Directed by Araceli Radillo
Produced by Lakeside Community Theatre
Running Time: 90 minutes- *No Intermission
Accessible Seating: Available, call or email ahead of time
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Showing: Not Available
Volume Level: Comfortable volume level
Noises/Visuals to Prepare For: language
Reviewed by Teri Lynn Williams
There is a chill in the air outside and at Lakeside Community Theatre as The Thin Place has made its opening. The Thin Place is often described as “the divider between the physical, tangible world and the "other world" of dreams, the afterlife, and other unseen but very real dimensions hiding behind the veil of reality.” Whether you are a believer or not, Hilda (Sara Parisa) ushers the audience through her memories of connecting with her grandmother, both when she was a physical part of this world and when she traversed on to another realm.Granny instills in Hilda the need to learn to communicate without words and simply to listen using the “space just behind and a little above your eyes.” Hilda finds herself in the company of a medium named Linda (Jenny Tucker) and becomes fascinated to learn more about the other worlds and communicating. And as it often said, the phrase “don’t meet your heroes” aptly applies to this friendship and we the audience are the witness to the frailties of the relationship.
The entire show is 90 minutes without an intermission. The set is sparse and simple. Director Araceli Radillo craftily created an environment where the audience feels very much a part of the show. The lighting effects give the touch of eerie vibes when needed and sense shocking vibes as well. Props to the entire production team. Radillo (and team) place us into the room instead of just simply being a spectator. The overall technique is quite effective and I found myself literally nodding at one of the actors during a “moment.”
Speaking of actors, Lakeside continues to cast quality talent. As the play opens, Sara Parisa as Hilda saunters onto the stage, mug in hand, and begins speaking to the audience as if she is just “picking up where we left off.” Parisa has a naturally engaging demeanor and a speaking cadence that demands you listen. As Hilda, Parisa is forced to look directly at audience members, sometimes holding that gaze, with all her veteran stage talent, uses her eyes to create these beautiful nuanced moments. Accompanying Hilda is the medium Linda, played vigorously by the talented force of Jenny Tucker. Tucker gloriously swoops in with her frenetic energy, accent on lock, and convinces us all she is “Linda The Medium” and in fact able to communicate with spirits. The duality of Parisa and Tucker creates a dynamic duo on stage.
Along the way we meet Jerry, played with an air of superiority by Logan Gaconnier and Slyvia, played enthusiastically adorable by Jojee Alvarez-Allgood.These characters convene, converse, and consume wine which then lends itself to chaos. You have to be there.
Lakeside Community Theatre once again delivers a production with an intriguing topic that is sure to create an in depth discussion on the way home and days to come. This production of The Thin Place runs through December 20th and will thoroughly engage your senses and is absolutely worth 90 minutes of your time. Tickets can be found at lctthecolony.com
To The Stage,
Teri Lynn Williams
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