Rabin, Arnold. The Outing. Anchorage Press, Inc, 1992. ISBN 0876023030. $4.90. 53 pp. Reviewer: Sarah Ratliff Reading Level: Intermediate Rating: Excellent Genre: Plays; Contemporary Realistic Plays; Subject: Sports--Juvenile drama; Fathers and sons--Juvenile drama; Theme: This play deals with family relationships and the issue of acceptance. Production Requirements: Minimized set, areas defined mostly by lighting and a few solid props; at most, a skeletal setting for the house can be used. Acts: 3 parts, no intermission Run Time: approximately 1 hour Characters: 1 adult male, 5 male, 2 adult female, 3 female Cast: adults and children Time Period: contemporary Walter is a young boy who gets chased by bullies and is pressured by his father, Matt, to be the best athlete he can be. Walter, however, is not very athletic and prefers to spend his time writing. It doesn't help that his younger sister, Ruthie, is everything Walter's father wants him to be. His mother, Beth, is very supportive and sticks up for her son. Part One of the play deals with Walter's anxiety about the upcoming outing that his father is in charge of. Part Two is the actual outing, where Walter is forced to compete in a race. He trips and runs away embarrassed. Part Three takes place after the outing. Walter yells at his father, which leads to an argument between his parents and an awakening in his father. His father apologizes and Walter finds a moment of acceptance and love from his father. Rabin does a wonderful job of creating characters that are real. They are human: they have faults, and they have strengths. There are reasons for the characters' actions. There is an evident history behind the words that they say. Walter struggles with feelings of inadequacy and the desire to be accepted for who he is. Beth grapples with supporting her husband in his role as the head of the family and supporting and defending her son who is hurting. Matt has to look at himself and realize that he has made a mistake. This play touches on a very sensitive subject that almost all young children can relate to on some level. Many children struggle for a place in their family and acceptance from their parents. Rabin's exploration of family relationships is very important and is well done. This play is one that should be seen by children ages 9-11 with their parents. It is possible that seeing this play will open a family discussion and allow a child to express their insecurities about where they stand with their parents.
