Celebrity Travel: Go away with Carra Patterson

“I saw Tom Hanks’ ‘Turner & Hooch’ as a child and I loved it,” said Carra Patterson, who is one of the stars of the Disney+ series of the same name. “When I got the chance to audition for the series, I immediately watched it again. It’s such a classic film that stands the test of time. Our series brings a new chapter to the iconic film. The writers and creative team worked hard to keep all the elements that made the movie so great – the unbreakable bond between Scott and Hooch, the “Die Hard”-like action scenes, the comedy and even some romance. The main difference is that our show picks up in 2021. But we’re so excited to have Reginald VelJohnson reprise his role as Mayor David Sutton. Hopefully, audiences love this show just as much as they did the original film.” Based out of Harlem, Patterson stays in touch with her fans on Instagram and Twitter (her username is @carrapatterson).

Q: Did your real-life pregnancy impact how you portrayed Jessica on the series?

A: I was not pregnant when I got the part. The pregnancy added such an interesting new layer for me to explore. Jessica is a U.S. marshal who is extremely devoted to a job that comes with a high level of danger, while also trying to nurture this new life. So, it created an interesting conflict to dive into and I was really excited to lean into that duality. It also took the pressure off me acting wise. I was six-months pregnant by the time we started filming, so when you see Jessica having back pain, it’s the real thing!

Q: What do you like best about living where you do?

A: I live in Harlem. I love walking the same streets as so many iconic Black creatives. The energy of the Harlem Renaissance is still palpable to me.

Q: Can you share a few memories of working on "Jitney" on Broadway?

A: Playing Rena was one of the highlights of my career. There were so many special moments from the show, but I’ll never forget the night Michelle and Malia Obama came to see a performance. Backstage was filled with so many Secret Service agents. I had to get permission to make a cup of green tea, but it was such an honor to have them in the audience and meet them both backstage afterwards. Another memory is peeking out of the curtain to watch the show from the wings. Many times, I’d get dressed early so I could go sit in the wings to have more time to see the scenes before mine. The cast was so phenomenal and August Wilson’s words are so electric. It helped fill me up before it was my turn to step on stage. I’ll always cherish [having worked] with the late Anthony Chisholm [who] passed away in 2020.

Q: If you had travel plans but had to cancel due to the pandemic, where were they to?

A: My husband and I were planning to go to Cancun, Mexico, with a group of friends. That was canceled. I’ve never been to Mexico, so that’s a trip I definitely want to try to make happen soon.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?

A: I went to Italy in 2018. I performed a version of “Romeo and Juliet” in Florence and I fell in love with Florence. The cobblestone streets, the people and the food! I ate the best pasta every single day and loved every minute of it. One of my favorite things to do was go for a morning run along the Arno River to the Ponte Vecchio bridge. The views are breathtaking.

Q: What was the first trip you took as a child?

A: When I was three years old, my mom picked me up from daycare and surprised me with a trip to Disney World. We were living in Florida at the time, so it was a short road trip for us. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world to go on a spontaneous road trip to meet Mickey Mouse and Cinderella in person.

Q: What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?

A: To slow down. America is so fast paced. When I’m abroad, I’m often reminded to slow down, breathe a little deeper and be present.

Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you choose a casual meal at a street cart or fine dining at a nice restaurant?

A: Fine dining. Don’t get me wrong. I love a great meal no matter where it comes from. But I love getting dressed up and making a night of it with a full dining experience.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A: Africa! Ghana and Zanzibar are at the top of my list. But closer to home, I’ve never been to the Gullah-Geechee islands off the coast of South Carolina. There’s so much history there. I grew up in the South and I’m looking forward to planning a family trip there soon.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A: A fresh journal, comfy shoes, a bikini, a straw hat, and a really great playlist.

Q: What would be your dream trip?

A: A beautiful beach, near or far, is a dream come true to me. But Zanzibar, Brazil and the Amalfi Coast are dream destinations.

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and travel writer. You can respond to this column by visiting her website at www.jaehakim.com. You may also follow “Go Away With…” on Twitter at @GoAwayWithJae where Jae-Ha Kim welcomes your questions and comments.)