Photo Flash: Beautiful Soup's 28 MARCHANT AVENUE Star Visits The Kennedy Library
By: BWW News Desk Apr. 23, 2015
Kristen Gehling, who plays Rosemary Kennedy in Steven Carl McCasland's 28 Marchant Avenue, recently visited The Kennedy Library in Massachusetts to research her character and the Kennedy Family. In the play, audiences will spend five summers with the Kennedys as they grapple with the decision to lobotomize and institutionalize Rosemary. This family secret remained hidden for years. Scroll down for photos from Gehling's trip!
Following critically acclaimed workshop presentations, Steven Carl McCasland's plays will return to NYC in a month-long festival celebrating the young playwright. Together with The Clarion Theatre, they'll present five plays beginning on May 6th, 2015, with a company of actors performing in repertory. One of those plays is 28 Marchant Avenue. All of the plays focus on historical figures, including Laurette Taylor, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, RoseMary Kennedy, Tennessee Williams, Gertrude Stein, Lillian Hellman and more. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the company!Tickets are now on sale for 28 Marchant Avenue and the rest of the 5-play festival at beautifulsoup.showclix.com. Priced $18 each, audiences also have the option to see all 5 plays at a reduced price. The Clarion Theatre is located at 309 East 26th Street in New York City. Tickets, priced $18 each, are on sale now. Audiences who wish to see all five plays can save $15 when purchasing a bundle package to see all five plays.
Beautiful Soup Theater thanks Kristen Gehling and The Kennedy Library for their assistance in making this possible.
Photo Credit: Kristen Gehling
Outside the JFK Memorial Museum and Library. I am so beyond excited to unlock some of the Kennedy family''s secrets about Rosemary!
The Kennedy ''compound'' on Hyannis Port in the 1970s. All of the driveways from Joe and Rose''s house led to the houses later owned by Jack, Eunice, and Ted.
Although Jack gets credit for his contributions to the study, awareness, and treatment of mental handicaps; Eunice was the one who created the bill, gathered the signatures and support necessary to pass the Maternal and Child Health and Retardation Planning Amendment in 1963 in honor of her older sister.
Eunice's article ''Hope For Retarded Children'' appeared in the Saturday Evening Post on September 22, 1962 and bears mention of her sister Rosemary.
A rare and incredible photograph of Rosemary (left), her older brother Jack (center), and Eunice (right) around 1925.
The Kennedys' dirty little secret... or one of many.
A stunning Rosemary, age 22.
Rosemary and her protector, Eunice Kennedy, preparing to sail to England in 1938.
A stunning end to a incredibly informative day. Thanks to the museum and archival staff who have continually helped my research in uncovering this long-forgotten woman.
Kristen Gehling performing a monologue from 28 Marchant Avenue, as RoseMary Kennedy.
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