By Guest Blogger Eloise Marie Valadez
Legendary Hollywood actress Ava Gardner is the subject of a new play at Chicago’s Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building.
“Ava: The Secret Conversations,” starring award-winning actress Elizabeth McGovern, continues to Oct. 12. The show, written by McGovern, whom film and TV fans will know from starring roles in “Downton Abbey,” “Once Upon A Time in America” and “Ordinary People,” sheds a fascinating light on the late film legend.
The play is based on interviews Gardner gave to writer Peter Evans for a book that was to be published about her. Although it was initially banned from publication, the book was printed 25 years later.
In the show, audience members are led on a journey through segments of Gardner’s career and her marriages to Mickey Rooney, Frank Sinatra and Artie Shaw as well as her relationship with the eccentric Howard Hughes.
McGovern, who hails from Evanston, Illinois, offers a stellar performance as Gardner in this show, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel. Starring as writer Evans is Aaron Costa Ganis. Ganis also portrays Rooney, Sinatra and Shaw. It’s fascinating to watch as he shifts from one character to another.
“Ava: The Secret Conversations” is making its Chicago premiere. It originally played at NY City Center. Don’t miss this interesting look at retro Hollywood and one of its most glamorous stars.
FYI: “Ava: The Secret Conversations” continues to Oct. 12 at The Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. Tickets are $40 to $170. Call 312-753-3210, ext. 102. Visit AvaGardnerPlay.com.
About Eloise Marie Valadez
Guest blogger Eloise Marie Valadez, a frequent contributor to Travel/Food, is a professional journalist/writer and editor with four decades of experience covering the arts, entertainment, and culinary industries. A native of Chicago, she has a passion for the written word.
