David Lindsay-Abaire is best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning play Rabbit Hole, produced on Broadway in 2006. His work has been seen more recently in Seattle with the premiere of Shrek, for which he wrote the book. His versatility is on display with these three short pieces, which are neither as intense as Rabbit Hole nor as campy as Shrek. Here he focuses on the art of the one-act, packing in as many emotional highs and lows as he can into a concise 25-minute story. Per the groups mission, Artattacks space is small, their set is sparse, and the theatrical experience is intimate. Not all theater works in that environment, but theyve chosen well; Lindsay-Abaires shorts seem designed for the black box. The most successful piece, Baby Food, tells the story of a liberally spiritual couple searching for the perfect godparents for their newborn. Little do they know the couple theyve chosen is on the verge of divorce. Lindsay-Abaire proves his strength here as a writer of heavy-handed comedy, and for all the absurdity of the characters, the ensemble maintains an excellent sense of conviction. BRENT ARONOWITZ
Thu., Oct. 15, 8 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Thu., Oct. 29, 8 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 1, 2 p.m. Starts: Oct. 15. Continues through Nov. 7, 2009
