'Living Room in Africa' first of three Chatt State shows

photo Savannah Mazda and DavRicia Hughes in rehearsal for "Living Room in Africa"

IF YOU GO

What: "Living Room in Africa"When: 7:30 Friday and Saturday, April 12-13, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 14Where: Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, Eastgate Town Center, 5600 Brainerd RoadAdmission: $5 (free for Chattanooga State faculty, staff and students with ID)Phone: 423-987-5141

The 2013 graduating class of the Professional Actor Training Program at Chattanooga State Community College will present "Living Room in Africa" by Bathsheba Doran this weekend.

It is the story of an English couple, Edward and Marie, who move to Africa where he plans to build an art gallery and she intends to write. They settle in a region devastated by AIDS and ravaged by poverty. Confronted by their personal and political beliefs, Edward wants to leave, but Marie makes the unexpected decision to stay in Africa without him, to help a family with AIDS.

Edward and Marie must decide what Africa means to them and what they mean to each other. "Living Room in Africa" exposes the clash between the modern-day cultures of England with its fading postcolonial gentility and Africa with its poverty and disease.

The cast includes graduating students DavRicia Hughes, Savannah Mazda and Larry Sapp Jr. and guest artists Randal Fosse, Jeffrey Parker and Garry Lee Posey. It is directed by Sherry Landrum.

"Living Room in Africa" is the first of three productions performed by the graduating class of the Professional Actor Training Program at Chattanooga State. "Some Girl(s)" by Neil Labute, directed by Garry Lee Posey, will be presented April 19-21. "And Baby Makes Seven" by Paula Vogel, directed by Sherry Landrum, will be presented April 26-28.

All three shows contain adult themes and language and are not suitable for children.

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