“Some parts very raw and troubling, some parts painfully relatable and the sprinkling in of some parts purposefully foreign, yet ominously connected would be a decent attempt at explaining Paula Vogel’s A Long Christmas Ride Home," said Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga Executive Director Garry Lee Posey. ETC has spent this last season really diving into the meaning, understanding and enlightening of the idea of family. his last play of the season is no exception.
Review for A Long Christmas Ride Home:
Paula Vogel’s play looks a somewhat nuclear family (husband, wife, two daughters and a son) as they deal with a somewhat nuclear family tradition (Christmas service followed by a visit to the grandparents for a meal and gift exchange) and experience a near fatal nuclear family accident.
“The family theme was an important one to examine this year because as with each production, there has been a very personal (to ETC anyway) connection," said Casey Keelen who serves as one of the producing members of ETC. "Next To Normal was related because as artists we tend to carry our ghosts around with us to sometimes destructive ends; Dancing at Lughnasa reminded us about the loyalty and commitment through thick and thin we have for each other; Curious Incident taught us a group to remember, respect and learn from those who have helped us Honk reminded us that we are farmyard family full of the unique; and Bump reminded us that our fears can overwhelm us if we don’t keep them in check. Christmas Ride shows us that while tragedies might confront us, as a family we must acknowledge what it taught us.”
Tackling this story is first time ETC director Constance Hester, who just returned from New York where she was able to work with famed director Diane Paulus. “Constance’s work as a self-producer, as well as her impressive resume with regards to directing experience made her an easy choice for us to hire,” said Mr. Posey.
Joining Ms. Hester, the cast features ETC regulars Casey Keelen, Kyle Dagnan and Eric “Red” Wyatt. New members in the ensemble for 2018 Courtney Cholovich, Jennifer Bryant, and Zachery Green plus a couple of actors yet to be named round out the cast list. Set and light design will be by Martine Cartier, with puppets and costumes designed by Kyle Dagnan.
ETC extends a huge thank you to the Family Justice Center, The Orange Grove Center, and CoPac/Barking Legs Theatre. “We also want to thank the hundreds of patrons who experienced a show with ETC this year,” said Co-Artistic Director Christy Gallo. The 2019 season, focusing on Identity, was just announced via its very first podcast “Sharing The Experience” which may be viewed on the ETC Facebook page.
A Long Christmas Ride Home will be performed Nov. 9-17 on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays at 7;30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Performances will be at Barking Legs Theatre, 1307 Dodds Ave. Call 987-5141 for ticket information or visit www.ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com