show

Ghost Train

Leia Vogelle · Ages 18+ · 45 mins · United States of America

About the Show

Ghost Train

 

Nominated for Best Dramatic Theatre Award at Hollywood Fringe 2025! 

Winner of the Best of Feury Developmental Award 2025!

 

 

Barbera, a conservative American housewife catches a German overnight train.

 

Once aboard, she meets Marlene, a Berlin woman.

 

The two women get to know each other and bond; but they do not agree politically.

 

They learn about each other’s lives and where they’re from and it becomes unclear whether they are talking about 1930’s Nazi Germany…or modern day American politics.

 

And when Marlene shares that she is a transwoman, Barbera’s beliefs are challenged by this reveal.

 

As the two women discuss and debate; their mutual distrust shifts towards understanding…as they come to see the other has valid concerns.

 

But the train races on, as they struggle to fully see each other…to find mutual acceptance and recognition.

 

Marlene fears State control will render her out of existence; Barbera fears for the abandonment of traditional values.

 

But they find agreement on how patriarchy puts a jackboot on both their necks.

Their anger softens into awareness but they still argue over who should step down…who should leave the train.

 

And as Marlene reveals another secret, Barbera is forced to confront her own beliefs.

 

At the heart of our story are two women coming to understand they are more alike than different; and that by coming together…they can save each other.

 

 

Written by Leia Vogelle

 

Directed by Becca Khalil

 

Produced by Zander Raphael and Leia Vogelle

 

Performed by Laura Baggett and Leia Vogelle

 

 

Bold, subtle and provocative.

I was on the edge of my seat.

Poignant, relevant and powerful.

I had literally CHILLS at the end.

 

 

Powerful exploration of the trans experience today and how it mirrors 1930s Germany. Grounded, intriguing, mysterious and powerful!

 

Themes of identity, freedom and empathy strongly resonate in today’s political environment fraught with prejudice and discrimination.

 

A relevant lens of feminism now, while hitting the mark on the value of learning critical lessons from voices of the past.

 

Beautiful & important storytelling. I want to see it again.