“Rabbit Hole,” which opened Friday night at the Butler Little Theatre was well received by an enthusiastic audience.

The show is this reviewer’s dream because there is nothing negative to say. There were times of laughter and a few possible tissue moments.

The audience was taken on an emotional roller coaster ride of epic proportions. The script was well written and expertly performed.

It was as if we were on the other side of a Looking Glass peering into the private lives of a family winding through the bumpy journey of grief. At times the rawness of the emotion made you feel as though you were intruding on their private pain.

The small cast made the family chemistry work. Heidi Nicholls as Becca and Whitney Ann Jenkins as Izzy were believable as sisters from finishing each other’s sentences to facial expressions and camaraderie, the duo did well.

Marge Bankert as their mother was both hilarious and heart wrenching. This role proves that some actors are like fine wine, better with age. She goes toe to toe with Nicholls in one scene without missing a step.

Nicholls also paired up with Stefan Lingenfelter as her stage spouse. Again the chemistry was beyond believable. No doubt other couples could relate to some of their banter.

The intensity of some of their scenes was compelling and gut wrenching. Lingenfelter and Nicholls trade some heated words as they wrap their brains around their broken hearts. Jenkins and Bankert have their own emotionally charged scenes in the spotlight and they both deliver.

Even the smaller role played by Mark McConnell Jr. was big on emotion. One could sense the character’s discomfort inserting himself into their lives but also his need to do just that.

The set was phenomenal with extreme attention to detail. From copious glasses in the cupboards to drawers of silverware and a seemingly working fridge; it was as if a kitchen was transported in its entirety to the stage.

Skillfully crafted, the set invited us into their living room making entering into their grief easier. The excellent use of space made director Lester Malizia’s blocking a breeze

The show ran for two hours but I did not look at my watch once, which is always a positive sign.

Another nod to the production was that the audience was talking about the show during intermission and still talking about it when the lights dimmed and during the curtain call.

Eat before going, because the chowing of decadent desserts throughout the play is enough to make one’s mouth water.

If I had to mention a negative, it would be some of the PG-13 language which added nothing to the script, but that is a matter for the playwright not the cast.