The Echo Theater Company presents the California Premiere of The Thin Place. Written by Lucas Hnath. Directed by Abigail Deser. Produced by Chris Fields and Chelsea Spirito.
Eerie experiences continue to happen to Hilda (Caitlin Zambito). First, it was the death of her grandma, then it was the sudden disappearance of her mom. Adding more mystery to her life, Hilda befriends the enigmatic Linda (Janet Greaves), a psychic who seem to be the link between this world and the afterlife.
As Hilda continues to ponder possible clues to her mom’s whereabouts, Linda’s source of income and the powerful connections she has achieved as a psychic become more intriguing and build up the suspense of the story.
Lucas Hnath (A Doll’s House, Part 2, A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay About the Death of Walt Disney) continues to write exceptional stories with outstanding female voices. Hilda has shades of fragility, determination, and curiosity that lead her to take a leap into the unknown. The dynamic relationship between Hilda and Linda permeates the story with a sense of wonder all the way till the end.
Hnath includes two additional characters, Jerry (Justin Huen) and Sylvia (Corbett Tuck) that question and validate Linda and Hilda’s motivations and circumstances. These two characters appear almost out of the blue, but become pivotal accessories to move the story forward and shape the contradictions of Linda’s personality.
Director Abigail Deser worked with the actors for two months and achieved extraordinary results. Her work captures the play’s mysticism vividly, bringing the audience closer to the fine line between light and darkness, the place where the material world meets the supernatural realm. To enhance the unnerving nature of the play, Deser and scenic designer Amanda Knehans use innovative lighting (lighting design by Matt Richter, Hayden Kirschbaum) and sound (sound design by Alysha Grace Bermudez) to add an aura of mystery and esotericism to the stage.
Hnath’s play is a gem. It’s a mystical journey to a region known as The Thin Place, a space where our senses of wonder, bliss, and silent euphoria are awaken. As Hilda and Linda reveal in the play, this space, real or imaginary, emanates from the noble desire to stay in touch with the loved ones we have lost, if only we hear the message with the third eye.
The Thin Place
Echo Theater Company
Atwater Village Theatre
3269 Casitas Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
PARKING:
FREE in the Atwater Crossing (AXT) lot one block south of the theater
Performances: March 18 – April 24
• Fridays at 8 p.m.: March 24, March 31, April 7, April 14, April 21
• Saturdays at 8 p.m.: March 18 (opening night), March 25, April 1, April 8, April 15, April 22
• Sundays at 4 p.m.: March 26, April 2, April 9, April 16, April 23
• Mondays at 8 p.m.: March 27, April 3, April 10, April 17, April 24
Tickets: echotheatercompany.com
Written by Lucas Hnath. Directed by Abigail Dreser. Starring Janet Greaves, Justin Huen, Corbett Tuck, Caitlin Zambito. Presented by The Echo Theater Company, Chris Fields artistic director. Creative team: Scenic design by Abigail Deser and Amanda Knehans, lighting design by Matt Richter, sound design by Alysha Grace Bermudez and costume design by Dianne K Graebner. The associate producer is Chelsea Spirito, and the production stage manager is Irene Lee. Chris Fields and Kelly Beech produce for the Echo Theater Company.
