←Recommendations of Hellbent in a Northwoods Cabin

Hellbent in a Northwoods Cabin is a taut, relevant drama exposing hypocrisies and lack of empathy (sometimes intentional, sometimes not) of hardened, extreme viewpoints. Ruyle doesn't shy away from hard questions, and this intriguing story exposes the vulnerability of those trying to answer them. Intense, sometimes funny, sometimes sad - it is always intelligent and thoughtful work. This needs to be staged.

This one will keep the discussions going long after the curtain falls. Like however you see the United States these days, the complexity of the characters gives you no clear black or white to comfort yourself with. Four solid roles, each one ripe for an actor willing to stretch themselves into challenging territory. A timely and important work.

This play shows the humanity in these characters we don’t often get to see onstage. The play provides great opportunities for actors to play complex, interesting—and often funny—characters. Intriguing story that challenges us without talking down to us. Kudos to Kim Ruyle!

The slow burn of this intense play burns very brightly indeed. The characters are immediately engaging and each have their fun quirks and mysteries, but slowly, the tension ramp ups, particularly with the arrival of a mysterious stranger. I especially love that Ruyle's work leaves us with no easy answers and no simple solutions to get beyond division. Everyone has their say and then some, and everyone speaks from real, lived experience. Vital and artfully crafted as well as very timely.

The very purpose of theatre is to understand the human experience—and that doesn't just mean the experience of people who think and believe the same way we do. In a time when politics is so polarizing, it is incredibly important to perform plays like this! To look at all sides of the story and view from the audience how quickly and insensibly we let things escalate. This play is perfect for theatres that want to open up political discussions without leaning on a particular bias. The dialogue is spectacular! The tension and pacing are equally wonderful.

I saw somewhere that folks w/ADHD won't follow rules they think are stupid. To them, they're nonsensical. But on the flip, rules they don't think are stupid? They will follow those to the death. And rage if other people don't. But that doesn't really apply to just neurodivergents does it? Ruyle's play is a pressure cooker, a perfect example of what might all too easily happen if you trap enough different viewpoints in one place. No one thinks they're the villain. And it takes a nuanced, delicate hand to navigate. Are we up to the task? Excellent chamber drama.