I Hate This

I Hate This (a play without the baby) is a solo performance by David Hansen detailing his experiences as the father of a stillborn child. Synopsis At their thirty-week prenatal appointment, the playwright and his wife discover their first child has died due to preeclampsia. The events of the play cover the thirty-six hours between that revelation and the birth of their son, and also events during the year that leads up to this child's first birthday, all from the point of view of the father. In twenty-seven short scenes, the narrator performs a dozen characters including members of his family, friends, and a number of health care professionals and counselors. "By elucidating such mundane moments as his futile attempts to be removed from a baby-food company mailing list, Hansen gives us a glimpse into day-to-day life after a baby dies." - Laura Seftel, Grief Unseen Critical response New York Times critic Jason Zinoman called I Hate This, "A well-made and often affecting drama." Deb Hoodiman, writing for nytheatre.com called the production, "Powerful, sad and enjoyable," and Kate Morris writing for The Skinny (UK) called the play, "sincere and powerful."