What I liked
Ulysses Montoya and Christian Wienker were standouts as the beloved point of view pups, and Rachel Zapata’s Grit was the heart of the show. Fantastic dog acting! Vince Tula also knocks it out of the park with his writing and direction.
What I didn't like
This is a common issue with the Second Stage, but sound travels super poorly in there. Sometimes the actors could be hard to hear in the more intimate moments. But that’s an easy fix and a nitpick with such a great show.
My overall impression
Pit of Hope hit me right in my heart! The performances were top notch across the board, the message was salient without being preachy, and the set design was powerful without being overwhelming. As an Eaton Fire survivor who also lost their soul dog last year (to old age, don’t worry! He had a great life), there was no way I was getting out of this show without bawling. I was so incredibly uplifted by the end and riveted throughout. You’ll laugh, cry, and want to hug your dog very tightly after this one!
