BLACK BOX

Dora has always led her younger sister, Elena, in spontaneous, unpredictable fun. But that ends when Dora is hospitalized for depression and returns as someone who lies, hides drugs, and skips school. Lynde Houck's performance perfectly gauges the reactions of Elena's parents and Elena's feelings before and after Dora's hospitalization. Elena's mother is cool, polite, and ready to whitewash the situation. Elena's father can barely contain his fury. Desperate to help her sister and grieving the loss of her former warmth and openness, Elena is buffeted between her opposing parents and tries to gain some kind of balance. Houck's narrative complements Schumacher's spare writing with nuanced emotions. S.W. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: JULY 2009]