Stephanie Zimbalist Plays the Legendary
Katharine Hepburn in
Tea at Five

Ensemble Theater Company of Santa Barbara has announced a change in its performance series. Stephanie Zimbalist will play the legendary Katharine Hepburn in Tea at Five, a poignant and funny one-woman show about one of America’s greatest actresses. Tea at Five will run from December 3 to December 27, 2009 and will replace the previously scheduled Trying. “Tea at Five is skillfully written and sheer fun,” says the New York Daily News.

Based on Hepburn’s book Me: Stories of My Life, Tea at Five is an intimate and unforgettable trip down memory lane via Broadway and the golden age of Hollywood. The play opens in 1938 as Hepburn, despite having appeared on Broadway and garnering her first Oscar, is just being rejected for the part of Scarlet O’Hara in Gone with the Wind. Set in her beloved Connecticut home, a young Hepburn reflects on her turbulent childhood, her early education and her start in show business. The play then advances 40 years as Hepburn, now 76 and afflicted with Parkinson’s, reflects on the triumphs of her career and her heart-breaking romance with Spencer Tracy. With insight, warmth and humor, Tea at Five promises to be a wonderful theatrical event for the holiday season.

The independent, intelligent, and fiery Hepburn comes to life through stage and television veteran Stephanie Zimbalist, who captures the voice, humor and indomitable spirit of perhaps the world’s most famous actress. Ensemble Theatre Company is pleased to welcome back the multi-talented Ms Zimbalist, who last appeared at ETC in the 2006 production of The Memory of Water. Perhaps best known for her starring role in the 1980’s television hit, “Remington Steele” with Pierce Brosnan, Ms. Zimbalist has appeared in numerous television movies and in guest appearances on countless television programs. Her theatrical career spans three decades with appearances at such prestigious theatres as Mark Taper Forum, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Cleveland Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Guthrie Theater and South Coast Rep.

ETC's Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Fox is pleased to welcome back director Jenny Sullivan, who helmed two critically acclaimed shows at ETC, The Memory of Water and The Clean House. Ms. Sullivan is an award-winning regional director who has worked at Rubicon Theatre, Pasadena Playhouse, San Jose Rep, Odyssey Theatre and Access Theatre. Tea at Five will be her ninth collaboration with Ms. Zimbalist.

Playwright Matthew Lombardo is the recipient of the IRNE Award for Best Solo Play for Tea at Five. The play, which had its world premiere at Hartford Stage, has since played at The Cleveland Playhouse, American Repertory Theatre, and off-Broadway at the Promenade Theatre.

Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara was founded in 1979 and is housed at the intimate Alhecama Theatre located in the historic Presidio District in downtown Santa Barbara at 914 Santa Barbara Street. Now celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, under the leadership of Executive Artistic Director Jonathan Fox, ETC is Santa Barbara's longest running, award-winning professional resident theatre company. The 2009-10 Season continues with Souvenir by Stephen Temperley (Feb. 4 to Feb. 28, 2010), The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams (April 8 to May 2, 2010) and Loot by Joe Orton (June 3 to June 27, 2010).

Performances run Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 and 7:00 pm, with a special Christmas night performance on December 25th. Single tickets for Tea at Five range from $29.00 to $48.00. Discounts for seniors and students apply. Subscriptions, single tickets and group tickets are available through the Ensemble Theatre Box Office at (805) 965-5400 or online at www.ensembletheatre.com.

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Calendar Listing — STAGE

Production:
Tea at Five by Matthew Lombardo

Dates:
Thursday, December 3, through Sunday, December 27, 2009
Opening Night Saturday, December 5, at 8:00 pm
Christmas night performance on December 25 at 8:00 pm.

Schedule:
Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm.
and Sundays at 2:00 & 7:00 pm.
(no evening show Sunday, December 6, 2009)

Producer:
Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC) of Santa Barbara.
Jonathan Fox, Executive Artistic Director

Director:
Jenny Sullivan

Where:
Ensemble Theatre Company of Santa Barbara
at the Alhecama Theatre
914 Santa Barbara Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Admission:
$29.00 – $48.00. Discounts are available to seniors, students and groups of 10 or more.

Tickets:
For reservations and information call the Ensemble
Box Office at (805) 965-5400. VISA/MC.
Box office hours are: Performance days 1:00 pm. to curtain,
non-performance days 1:00 pm. to 5:00 pm. Group Sales: (805) 965-5400.

Description:

Tea at Five is a poignant and funny one-woman show about one of America’s greatest actresses the legendary Katharine Hepburn. The independent, intelligent, and fiery Hepburn comes to life through stage and television veteran Stephanie Zimbalist, who captures the voice, humor and indomitable spirit of perhaps the world’s most famous actress.

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