Long Way Down

by Nate Eppler

Two southern women decide to kidnap babies from undeserving parents. Pretty soon, they run out of room for all the children- until one of the women decides there’s room enough for all of the babies in Heaven.

The darkly comic and harrowing story of Maybelline Ferris, a damaged young woman living with her pregnant sister Saralee and her sister's forlorn husband, Duke, in their run-down family home north of...

Two southern women decide to kidnap babies from undeserving parents. Pretty soon, they run out of room for all the children- until one of the women decides there’s room enough for all of the babies in Heaven.

The darkly comic and harrowing story of Maybelline Ferris, a damaged young woman living with her pregnant sister Saralee and her sister's forlorn husband, Duke, in their run-down family home north of Nashville. Maybelline is the survivor of a brutal assault, and her oldest sister Chanelle is in jail for taking revenge on the assailant. As the play begins, Karen, a close friend of Maybelline’s jailed older sister, marches into the house with the news that “Doolee James’ kid came into Kindercastle today with a black eye. Doolee is beating her child.” That accusation starts a chain of events that tear apart the broken little family, and Maybelline soon finds herself on the verge of helping Karen do the unthinkable.

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Long Way Down

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Long Way Down

    An incredibly compelling story of motherhood when it takes a frightening turn, deadly even. Are these women going to remain together or will actions drive them apart? Captivating and completely terrifying, well done!

    An incredibly compelling story of motherhood when it takes a frightening turn, deadly even. Are these women going to remain together or will actions drive them apart? Captivating and completely terrifying, well done!

  • Dave Osmundsen: Long Way Down

    A compelling slow-burn that steadily builds to a harrowing climax that pays off brilliantly. It slowly draws you in and then, before you know it, has grabbed you so hard that you can't stop reading. The dialogue is spot-on and the characters are completely engaging, especially Karen, who is one of the most frightening depictions of a pro-lifer that I've read in a long time. Not for the faint of heart, but highly recommended nonetheless!

    A compelling slow-burn that steadily builds to a harrowing climax that pays off brilliantly. It slowly draws you in and then, before you know it, has grabbed you so hard that you can't stop reading. The dialogue is spot-on and the characters are completely engaging, especially Karen, who is one of the most frightening depictions of a pro-lifer that I've read in a long time. Not for the faint of heart, but highly recommended nonetheless!

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Nashville Repertory Theatre, Year 2010
  • Type Residency, Organization Ingram New Works Project / Nashville Repertory Theatre, Year 2010

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Collaborative Artists Ensemble Los Angeles, Year 2017
  • Type Professional, Organization 3Ps Productions, Year 2011

Awards

  • The Harold and Mimi Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award
    American Theatre Critics Association
    Semi-Finalist
    2011