The Long Christmas Ride Home

Written by Paula Vogel
Directed by Kristan Seemel

View the trailer

REVIEWS

"Seemel’s artistic vision—not to mention Vogel’s—is remarkably complete... It’s a touching, at times harrowing show." - Ben Waterhouse, Willamette Week

"Theatre Vertigo's production of Vogel's 'puppet play with actors'has much to recommend it, starting with a seamless, skillful integration of puppetry and live actors." - Alison Hallett, The Portland Mercury

"Heart, eyes, and ears enraptured, captivated for 85 minutes. Thank you Vertigo for breaking my heart." - Peanutduck, Followspot

Performing April 18 - May 17, 2008
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 pm
$15 Fridays and Saturdays; Pay-What-You-Will Thursdays

SYNOPSIS

Past and present collide on a snowy Christmas Eve for a troubled family of five. Humorous and heart-wrenching, this beautifully written play proves that magic can be found in the simplest breaths of life. In this "puppet play with actors," Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel provides a moving and memorable study of the American family careening near the edge of oblivion. "The Long Christmas Ride Home collapses time and space into moments of disarming, and affecting, beauty... it is somewhat like gazing at stars: We feel their inspiration, as well as their sad distance from earth." - The New York Times

CAST

Mom... Heather Rose Walters*
Dad... Darius Pierce*
Minister... Tom Moorman*
Rebecca... Kerry Ryan*
Claire... Amy Newman*
Stephen... Gary Norman*
Puppeteer... Elizabeth Dannhorn
Puppeteer... Paul Susi

* Current member of the Theatre Vertigo acting ensemble

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION

Assitant Director... Nancy Aldrich
Stage Manager... Nicole Gladwin
Set... Chris Rousseau
Lights... Maya Ward-Karet
Costumes... Mary Rochon
Sound... Annalise Albright
Puppet Builder... Jason Miranda
Technical Director... Jeff Woods