‘The Thin Place’ @ Lakeside Community Theatre
Carol M. Rice
There’s nothing like ghosts in a play around the holidays to make Christmas complete. Oh no, it’s not that play. I’m talking about Lakeside Community Theatre’s production of The Thin Place – a very different kind of ghost story. One that may leave you with many unanswered questions.
Playwright Lucas Hnath, who’s been known to put spiritual concerns and controversies into his work for the stage, has crafted a very thoughtful, spooky piece that makes one ask if ghosts exist — and if yes, where? Can we communicate with them? Can they communicate with us? Can they...take us with them? Under Araceli Radillo’s excellent direction, I can assure you that trying to learn these things via The Thin Place will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Sara Parisa is Hilda, a young woman whose grandmother was convinced she could communicate with ghosts by just thinking. She was preparing Hilda to communicate with her after she passed on — to the chagrin of Hilda’s mother, who separated them just before the grandmother died. Parisa is perfectly cast in this role as she explains it all to the audience. Her charisma as a performer has us immediately roped in to her story and, subsequently, her bizarre world.
Hilda goes to see Linda, a medium played with just the right amount of foreign mystery by Jenny Tucker. Linda gets groups of people together and acts as a “telephone” to the other side, and naturally she is able to communicate with Hilda’s grandmother.
Or is she?
Tucker gives us (as the audience) hints early on that Linda is not quite what she seems, but Hilda doesn’t see these discrepancies and doesn’t believe (even when told flat out) that Linda’s gifts aren’t real; her grandmother’s mind games have really had an impact. Somehow, Tucker and Parisa have excellent chemistry even though they keep one another at arm’s length – not an easy thing to communicate, so kudos to these amazing actresses.
Linda often hangs out with her friends Jerry and Sylvia and eventually brings Hilda along. Logan Gaconnier is laid back and comfortable as Jerry, while Jojee Alvarez-Allgood brings jealous hostess vibes to the table. She doesn’t like the idea of Hilda being there and is none too subtle about it. They drink good wine and tell stories, with Hilda primarily as an observer. But when she tells the story of the last time she saw her mother – at Christmastime – things get weird, especially between Hilda and Linda.
And then Hilda’s phone rings.
What happens after that is too much for this review, as I don’t want to provide any spoilers. Suffice it to say that this is not one of those plays that ties everything up with a nice little bow at the end.
Radillo’s director’s note says she was looking for “something different, something that stayed with you long after you left the theatre.” Well, she succeeds. Lindy Englander’s wonderfully creepy sound design and Shaun Senter’s simple but effectively eerie lighting design perfectly add to the story and, in fact, make it work.
If you’re feeling a bit “been there, seen that” about those other ghosts this holiday season, check out The Thin Place at Lakeside Community Theatre...and see if you come away with a few answers. Even if you can’t (like me), just asking the questions is well worth your time and attention.
WHEN: December 5-20, 2025 (two performances remaining)
WHERE: 6303 Main Street, The Colony TX
WEB: lctthecolony.com
