Ensemble Theatre Opens 40th Season

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Ensemble Theatre will open its 40th anniversary season with "By the Bog of Cats," a loose interpretation of a Euripedes tragedy. The show debuts September 6 and will run until September 29.

Here's how Ensemble described the show, "Loosely based on Euripides' tragedy Medea, this is the prophetic tale of Hester Swane, an Irish Traveller, who attempts to come to terms with a lifetime of abandonment in a world where all whom she has loved have discarded her. Set on the bleak, ghostly landscape of the Bog of Cats, this provocative drama discloses one woman's courageous attempts to lay claim to that which is hers, as her world is torn in two."

All shows during Ensemble's 40th season will written, directed by and star women. The "By the Bog of Cats" will feature Derdriu Ring as Hester and will be directed by Celeste Cosentino. The play was written by Marina Carr.

Performances will be held at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sundays. Opening night, on September 6, will feature a happy hour and reception (with chocolate covered strawberries). A pay-what-you-can performance will be held September 8.

Tickets for the show can be purchased online.

The cast for the show is as follows:

Derdriu Ring as Hester Swane
Daniel Telford as Carthage Kilbride
Lexi Cowan as Josie Kilbride
Julia Kolibab as Mrs. Kilbride
Laura Starnik as Monica Murray
Maryann Elder as The Catwoman
Bob McCoy as Xavier Cassidy
Erin Moran as Caroline Cassidy
Nate Homolka as The Ghost Fancier
Nicholas Chokan as The Ghost of Joseph Swane
Greg White as Father Willow
TJ Hayes as Young Dunne.