The Last Romance at New Theatre Restaurant

By: Oct. 12, 2019

An evening at the theater does not get much better than New Theatre's "The Last Romance." Joe DiPietro's "The Last Romance" is a rare example of a charming, tiny, four-person comedy-drama that rises to be an extraordinary production through the talent force of its actors and the care of its director.

The Last Romance at New Theatre Restaurant
Michael Learned as Carol and Charlie Robinson as Ralph in "The Last Romance"

Last season's exceptional chemistry in "Driving Miss Daisy" between well-known and award winning television actors Michael Learned (Olivia Walton in "The Waltons") and Charlie Robinson (Mac in "Night Court) encouraged Director and New Theatre CEO Denis D. Hennessy to reunite these two super actors. I suspect Hennessy has a warm spot for "The Last Romance." The world premiere engagement of the play opened at New Theatre back in 2006 again directed by Denis D Hennessy.

It is a simple story. Ralph Taylor (Charlie Robinson) is a widowed, lonely, retired railroad worker who lives with his twenty-two year separated sister Rose (Marjorie Johnson). Rose and Ralph are all that remains of a large, observant Catholic family. Rose has made protecting and caring for her older brother her life's work. She moved in just after Ralph's wife Anna passed more than a decade ago. But sometimes Ralph needs a little space from all of Rose's intense caring.

The Last Romance at New Theatre Restaurant
Ralph and Carol at the dog park

Ralph is an amiable sort. He has lived a good and successful life except for one special dream not quite realized. As a young man, Ralph dreamed of being an opera singer. He even successfully auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera, but the call that welcomed him to the company somehow never reached him.

Ralph is in the habit of walking each morning, but this particular day Ralph alters his time schedule and his route to a quiet bench at a neighborhood dog park. He enjoys watching the dogs he would love to have owned frolic. He also spies an attractive older woman and her tiny dog.

Ralph attempts a conversation. Carol Reynolds (Michael Learned) is reticent to engage with Ralph, but he eventually wins her over. They become friends and meet daily for private, flirtatious talks. Each harbors a secret that is theirs alone.

They slowly learn much about each other. Carol is afraid to fly. Ralph shares his love of grand opera. Carol agrees to attend a local opera performance with Ralph. The relationship deepens much to Rose's concern.

The Last Romance at New Theatre Restaurant
Orson Van Gay II as Young Ralph

As an avatar for the Young Ralph, Director Hennessy has cast the exceptional Orson Van Gay II. Young Ralph is a bridge between Ralph's youthful dreams and a future he aspires to. Van Gay II is one of the finest operatic tenors I have had the pleasure of hearing in very long time. He is a device used to connect scenes and to step seamlessly back into Ralph's imagination.
With a singer as skilled as Van Gay II, the device works wonderfully.

Carol surprises Ralph with his dream trip. They will travel to La Scala in Italy to hear Ralph's signature dream opera. Carol will overcome her fear of flying for Ralph, but will their individual secrets stand in the way?

To find out, you will need to see "The Last Romance" at New Theatre Restaurant. It is a production worth more than the price of dinner and a show with your best partner. This cast is absolutely worth seeing. This set by a Broadway designer is worth experiencing.

"The Last Romance" continues through November 17th. Tickets are available at https://newtheatre.com/upcoming-shows or by telephone at 913.649 Show.

Photos courtesy of New Theatre Restaurant

BroadwayWorld Awards Voting

RELATED STORIES - Kansas City

1
Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Kansas City Awards;  Leads Favorite  Photo
Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Kansas City Awards; Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

Happy Holidays! The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 27th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Kansas City Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2
Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Kansas City Repertory Theatre Photo
Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Kansas City Repertory Theatre

Last night, November 21, 2023, a Kansas City tradition, the 42rd annual (almost) Kansas City Repertory Theatre production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” opened at the Spencer Theater on the UMKC campus for an extended run through Christmas Eve. Except for the Covid year when the live production was replaced by a video version, audiences have gathered for “A Christmas Carol” since 1980. The house lights dim and a cast of Victorian holiday carolers appear complete with an onstage costumed orchestra. Our Storyteller (Nedra Dixon) also dressed in stunning early Victorian garb, welcomes us. Ms. Dixon is elegant and charming in this her first stint as the Storyteller.

3
Review: WE ARE BLOOD at OCTA Theater Photo
Review: WE ARE BLOOD at OCTA Theater

Thought-provoking, humorous, suspenseful, and not your normal holiday story, are the words that best describe WE ARE BLOOD, now playing at the Olathe Civic Theatre Association in Olathe, Kansas. The 90-minute drama written and directed by Ryan Bernsten runs through November 20 at the theater.

4
Full Cast and Creatives Announced For ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE at Music Theatre Heritage Photo
Full Cast and Creatives Announced For IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE at Music Theatre Heritage

Music Theater Heritage, the professional theater in residence at Crown Center, has announced casting for its holiday production It's A Wonderful Life: a live radio play. The production is directed by MTH Artistic Associate Emily Shackelford.

From This Author - Alan Portner

Al Portner is regional editor for Broadway World – Kansas City.  He is a retired career journalist and media executive who has written for publication over more than 40 years. Portner has p... Alan Portner">(read more about this author)

Videos


Rabbit Hole in Kansas City Rabbit Hole
Summit Theatre Group Studio (12/01-12/09)Tracker
MJ in Kansas City MJ
Kansas City Music Hall (5/07-5/12)
'Alice: Dreaming of Wonderland' in Kansas City 'Alice: Dreaming of Wonderland'
Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College (4/11-4/11)
'On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan' in Kansas City 'On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan'
Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College (12/03-12/03)VIDEOS
Clue in Kansas City Clue
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts [Muriel Kauffman Theatre] (4/02-4/07)
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in Kansas City Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Just Off Broadway Theatre (5/02-5/11)
'Little Women the Musical' in Kansas City 'Little Women the Musical'
Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College (2/10-2/10)
'Women of Note in Words and Song' in Kansas City 'Women of Note in Words and Song'
Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College (1/13-1/13)
On Your Feet (Non-Equity) in Kansas City On Your Feet (Non-Equity)
Midwest Trust Center [Yardley Hall] (12/03-12/03)
'North' in Kansas City 'North'
Midwest Trust Center at Johnson County Community College (1/25-1/27)
VIEW ALL SHOWS  ADD A SHOW  

Recommended For You