Dana Hall’s “Underneath” highlights how difficult it is to give up the past. When Steve tries to get his parents to throw out some of the junk they’ve been hoarding, some very touching and funny moments highlight how one person’s junk is another person’s treasure. Each person has memories and connections to objects throughout their lives, and Hall masterfully weaves a story showing that what simmers underneath is love.

This piece may be only 20 pages but what Dana Hall does with them is quite remarkable. This play is subtly powerful and resonates so deeply for me. Dealing with the end of life, and the difficulties a grown child might have with their aging parents, are challenging in the best of circumstances — and these, of course, are not. Dana has proven herself to be a powerful writer. I know this because I know her work. This play deserves to be among her best.

As someone with definite hoarder-like tendencies, there was a lot I could relate to in this piece. Dealing with aging parents is never easy, for either the parents or children, and Hall captures the love, care, and frustration of this stressful time with clarity and compassion. Sweet, funny, and heartfelt.