"Long Christmas Ride Home"

ETC CLOSES OUT ITS 2018 SEASON WITH ONE FINAL EXAMINATION OF THE MODERN FAMILY

“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 LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME,” explains ETC Executive Director Garry Lee Posey.  ETC has spent this last season really diving into the meaning, understanding and enlightening of the idea of family.  This last play of the season is no exception.

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.  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,” insists Casey Keelen who serves as one the Producing Members of ETC.

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,” mentions Posey.  Joining Constance, 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.

Closing out their 2018 season with A LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME, Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga would like to extend 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,” mentions Co-Artistic Director Christy Gallo.  Our 2019 season, focusing on Identity, was just announced via our very first podcast “Sharing The Experience” which you can view on our Facebook page.