Playwright Matthew Lombardo talks Dunaway and "Tea at Five"

A quick behind-the-scenes look at Matthew Lombardo's "Tea at Five" opening this coming weekend in Boston for a limited engagement:



http://bostonguide.com/article-78710-boston-accent:-second-act.html

Jordan Catalano said: "It’s not selling AT. ALL.
I’m so shocked that it’s doing so poorly and I’m sure it won’t bode well for a transfer. "

I wonder if it’s not selling because there is absolutely zero buzz. People on this board were certain it wouldn’t even happen. I tried to arrange a trip but I can’t make it. I hope it comes to New York.

Some part of me thinks Lombardo is financing these odd projects with actresses past their prime so he can one day write a book or play about spending time with them. Who is putting up the money for these? Does Lombardo have deep pockets or are people looking to throw money away? He doesn't have the best track record with these diva showcase plays.

HogansHero said: "so it has already extended and it was not selling well, or the extension is not selling well?"

None of it is selling. They haven’t even opened up the mezz for sale for 90% of the performances because the orchestra still has so many seats available.

one of my pet peeves: fake extensions.

I wonder how many more will surface regarding this show?

If it doesn't make it to Broadway this Fall, I wonder what their excuse will be? Dunaway has a scheduling conflict, or wants to spend more time with her family?

Jordan Catalano said: "ArtMan, did you work with her in a professional setting or encounter her as a fan? Because she’s actually quite good with fans and, well, the opposite at work."

Jordan, As a starstruck fan.

I saw this with Kate Mulgrew years ago. It was quite enjoyable. And I would like to see Ms. Dunaway live on stage so I hope it transfers.

That being said. My friend once assisted on a staged reading Dunaway was doing in NYC. He told me crazy stories of Ms. Dunaway acting like she opening on Broadway that night. Constantly stirring up trouble at every available moment.

I worked once in an office where she visited. The same story. The whole place was running around trying to appease her. Not long after that I observed her at a movie theatre driving the poor cashier crazy over what times different movies started.

“Miss Dunaway is the most difficult woman to work with in the world. No question. And I am not the only person who thinks so. This is sort of mutual”. - Bette Davis

logan2 said: "How is she too old to play Katherinein 1983? That's ridiculous,Kate was 76 and Faye is currently 78. ButGlenn can playNorma or Bette can playDolly Levi!

Why cut it and remount it? Lomardo says,“It was interesting to show two different phases of her life, but I realized the audiences responded far more to Act II. So I thought, why don’t we do a 90-minute version where she reflects on her career? It’s more concise. You know, I’ve been working on it for 18 years, so I hope I got it right this time!”Lombardo wrote the role SPECIFICALLYfor Faye Dunaway. “I sent it to her by messenger Monday evening, and I woke up Tuesday to a beautiful message from Faye saying she loved the play, how moved she was and how much she wanted to do it.”

I can't wait to see how Faye looks and sounds as Hepburn. How much of the shaking will she do? The play takes place two years after On Golden Pond, and I remember all I could focus on during that movie was her shaking."

I'll be interested to see how it turns out as well. I misspoke by saying she is too old, but I still feel miscast. She was an impeccable actress. I can't speak for currently as she hasn't done much. I can't see her wanting to mimic Hepburn in the way that Streep would.

As for the play, people responded more to Act 2, because it was a huge reveal with Mulgrew completely transformed into an elderly Hepburn and she completely nailed her voice and physicality. A polar opposite from the spry Kate in Act One. It was a marvel. The reveal drew audible gasps, oohs and ahhs from the audience. That reveal is gone.

I actually thought Act One was very rich giving insight into Kate. They could have split the role with a younger actress in Act One but I can't imagine Faye would go for that.

It opens this weekend so we will see. I hope it is successful for all involved.

logan2 said: " I'm always on tender hooks and worried what might happen."

It's more likely you're on tenter hooks. Though tender hooks seems more comfortable.

The last person I would think of to portray Katharine Hepburn is Roseanne Barr