Playwright Matthew Lombardo talks Dunaway and "Tea at Five"

[David10086]

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]

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.

[TotallyEffed]

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.

[HogansHero]

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

 

[Bettyboy72]

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. 

[ArtMan]

One of the cable stations was showing ChinaTown the other day.  I tuned in right before the "she's my daughter," slap, "she's my sister" slap, slap again scene. What a star Faye was during that time.  Such a shame, she now has to do some play that no one is buying tickets to.

[Jordan Catalano]

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. 

[Esther Blodgett]

Dunaway is notoriously difficult and is a cautionary tale of how far a star  can fall because of temperment. She hasn't had a decent starring role in a feature since Mommy Dearest. Producers do not want to hire her. I was surprised when this production was announced with her as star. I also thought of it as a disaster in the making. We shall  see.

[HogansHero]

one of my pet peeves: fake extensions. 

I wonder how many more will surface regarding this show?

[ArtMan]

Esther Blodgett said: "Dunaway is notoriously difficult and is a cautionary tale of how far a star can fall because of temperment. She hasn't had a decent starring role in a feature since Mommy Dearest. Producers do not want to hire her. I was surprised when this production was announced with her as star. I also thought of it as a disaster in the making. We shall see."

I have read or heard these stories about her being difficult for years.  My three experiences meeting her was the exact opposite and she couldn't have been nicer.  Regardless, look at all the classic movies and iconic roles she has had.  You can't take that away from her.  She was a major star.

[Jordan Catalano]

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.

[Bettyboy72]

I have nothing against Faye and would love to see her on stage, but not in this. She's miscast and too old. It's a very odd shoe-horning of her to play Hepburn. I don't know who would want to see this aside from curious queens. 

[David10086]

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? 

[VernonGersch]

I just got tickets - and was shocked HOW many were available - the night I am going is basically empty

I have a sneaking suspicion that the performance I have tickets to wont make it - the show will get cancelled before then.  Sadly  So curious to what the heck this thing is 

[ArtMan]

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.

[Bettyboy72]

Also, the play was really, really good with Mulgrew. She was exceptional. Why try to remount it and it cut it to one act? 

[EthelMae]

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]

How is she too old to play Katherine in 1983? That's ridiculous, Kate was 76 and Faye is currently 78. But Glenn can play Norma or Bette can play Dolly 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 SPECIFICALLY for 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.

[Bettyboy72]

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]

Yes, it will be interesting to see how she looks as Hepburn and especially how she sounds as Hepburn. Will she do the full Martin Short? haha

Being a life long Faye fan, I of course want it to succeed, but in the last twenty five years (since the whole Sunset Blvd debacle, then the Master Class filming debacle) I'm always on tender hooks and worried what might happen.

She's like a family member I dearly love, but am always worried about and afraid for.

[artscallion]

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.

 

[logan2]

Haha That's what comes from typing while sleepy!

[PTChazman]

That hasn’t stopped him before. His last play on Bway “High” was dreadful and I felt bad for Kathleen Turner. At least Evan ( the one who was full frontal) is working today. Mathew must have $$$ behind him. Looped closed early. High closed after about 8 performances. And now this. ..

[ChgoTheatreGuy]

When I think of Katherine Hepburn, the LAST person that I would think to portray Katherine Hepburn would be Faye Dunaway.  When "Master Class" was touring and it stopped in Chicago, she asked an assistant one evening to get a steak dinner for her to eat after her performance that night.  He complied and got the best steak dinner available from a restaurant Downtown.  She got into her dressing room, took one bite and threw the rest at the assistant claiming that it was "COLD".  I just feel that her "star" persona has gotten the best of her, and if this show is a disaster, she may never recover!...

[logan2]

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