Long Wharf artistic director Gordon Edelstein directs the production that will run through March 10. Edelstein said in a statement, "Shepard is one of the truly great American playwrights, one that can be mentioned alongside the likes of Miller, O'Neill and Williams. This is my personal favorite of his plays. It combines painful truths and wild humanity perfectly. The story rings deeply true to me. Ironically, it is one of the most realistic plays about the American family."

In addition to Ivey (The Glass Menagerie, Hurlyburly, Follies) as Ella, the cast features John Procaccino (An Enemy of the People) as Taylor, Peter Albrink (Ghost Brothers of Darkland County) as Wesley, Ben Becher (What If) as Malcolm/Slater, Clark Middleton (The Golem) as Emerson/Ellis, Kevin Tighe (A Skull In Connemara) as Weston and Elvy Yost (Black Tie).

According to Long Wharf, "The Tate family is dead broke, the front door smashed in and nothing in the refrigerator. Dad drunkenly dreams of a hermit's life in the desert while Mom longs for European sophistication. So when both hatch schemes, independent of each other, to sell the family farm out from underneath their two children, a wild battle ensues to save each person’s piece of the American Dream."

The creative team includes Michael Yeargan (sets), Clint Ramos (costumes), James F. Ingalls (lighting), Fitz Patton (sound), Doug Wieselman (composer), William Berloni (animal handler) and Bryce McDonald (stage manager.)

For tickets visit LongWharf.org. The Long Wharf Theatre is located at 222 Sargent Drive in New Haven, CT.