Just in time for the holiday, Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) presents the first show of its 2023-24 season, the recent Broadway hit “The Thanksgiving Play,” written by Larissa FastHorse and directed by Brian McDonald.
“The Thanksgiving Play” begins previews at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5. The show opens at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 22 at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara.
“Theaters like ETC have a responsibility to help bring new perspective and voices to the forefront, especially as we all navigate today’s evolving societal norms,” said Scott DeVine, ETC’s executive director.
“Bringing ‘The Thanksgiving Play’ to the New Vic delivers on that responsibility by providing our audiences with the opportunity to experience the creative work of the only Native American Broadway playwright, Larissa FastHorse,” he said.
“Our hope is that this production will inspire conversations around our collective history as we all embark upon the holiday season,” he said.
Good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in FastHorse’s wickedly funny satire, as a troupe of terminally “woke” teaching artists scrambles to create a pageant that manages to celebrate both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month.
“We are so fortunate to be able to bring ‘The Thanksgiving Play’ to Santa Barbara with a fantastic cast,” said McDonald. “Audiences can expect a hilarious journey that dissects the absurdity of political correctness and challenges the way we celebrate Thanksgiving.
“I cannot wait to serve this delicious theatrical Thanksgiving platter that will leave patrons thankful for the power of humor and the unifying nature of theater.”
The “The Thanksgiving Play” cast features Meghan Andrews as Logan, Adam Hagenbuch as Jaxton, Ashley Platz as Alicia, and Will Block as Caden.
Playwright FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota Nation) is an award-winning writer and 2020-25 MacArthur Fellow. Her satirical comedy ‘The Thanksgiving Play” made her the first known female Native American playwright on Broadway, at the Helen Hayes under the direction of Rachel Chavkin.
Her new plays in 2023 are “Wicoun” (Cornerstone Theater Company), “Democracy Project” (Federal Hall), “Fake It Until You Make It” (CTG Mark Taper Forum), “For the People” (Guthrie), and the national tour of “Peter Pan.”
The play is produced Kathy Weber, with associate producers Scott and Edie DeVine, in honor of Bill Kennedy. Supporting producers are Doug and Nancy Norberg.
Ticket prices range from $40-$86. Patrons age 35 and under are always $35. Student tickets are $25. Single tickets are available through the ETC box office at(805-965-5400, or online at etcsb.org. Prices subject to change.
For tickets, visit www.etcsb.org or call 805-965-5400.