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Theatre: "The Long Christmas Ride Home" opens April 27

By Susan Meikle, news and communications

long-christmas-ride-home-posterThe department of theatre production of Paula Vogel’s “The Long Christmas Ride Home” opens at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, in Studio 88 Theatre, Center for Performing Arts.

The production continues at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 28-30, and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 30-May 1.

Directed by Lewis Magruder, assistant professor of theatre, “The Long Christmas Ride Home” combines puppetry, projections, movement and music.

The story follows the unexpected and life-changing events that happen along the way when a quirky family of five sets out on a road trip to visit their grandparents on Christmas Eve.

A preshow discussion will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28, in Studio 88.

“Staging Memory, Family, and Culture in Paula Vogel’s ‘The Long Christmas Ride Home’” will be moderated by student dramaturgs Hannah Regan, a linguistics major and statistical methods and creative writing double minor, and Meryl Juergens, English: creative writing and theatre double major and French minor.

Tickets:

Please note that seating is limited in Studio 88; purchase tickets in advance of each performance to be assured a seat.

 $12 adult, $9 seniors, $8 student/youth, available at the H.O.M.E. box office in 129 Campus Avenue Building.

Design team

long-christmas-ride-home-puppets

Actors worked with puppeteer Aretta Baumgartner;
puppets were created by senior Andrew Lynn (photo by
Beth Pfohl).

  • Scenic designer: JP Horton, senior integrated social studies education and theatre double major and history minor, advised by Gion DeFrancesco, associate professor of theatre.
  • Puppet and costume designer: Andrew Lynn, senior theatre major, arts management minor, advised by Melanie Mortimore, assistant professor of theatre.
  • Lighting and sound designer: Russ Blain, assistant professor of theatre.
  • Puppetry: Aretta Baumgartner, education director at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta.
  • Movement: Andrea Tutt, visiting faculty in theatre.
  • Music: Harvey Thurmer, professor of music.

Go to the "Long Christmas Ride Home" production website for a full list of cast and crew, videos and more information about the production.