RUBBER HOUSES

Seven years separate Kit and her brother, Buddy, but their mutual enthusiasm for baseball makes them soul mates. Using the analogy of a baseball season, Kit tells the story of Buddy’s leukemia, his death, and her grieving process. In the spare language of free verse, Yeomans recounts the impact of a child’s fatal illness on the family left behind. Chelsea Mixon’s narration embraces the language, creating a story that is told primarily through emotion. The rest of the cast, who deliver the words of Buddy and his parents, friends, and doctors, enhance the story like chords building on a tune. Free verse is not conducive to character or plot development, but the cast’s lyrical reading brings emotions alive and stirs empathy in the listener. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2010]