Play’s Author Visits TheatreWorks ‘Tea at Five’ Playwright Matthew Lombardo Attends Opening Performance

NEW MILFORD, CONN. (January 30, 2008) – On January 25, TheatreWorks New Milford opened TEA AT FIVE ― an intimate and compelling one-woman portrayal of Katharine Hepburn “as told by” the fiery redhead herself. Among those in the nearly sold-out house was the play’s author, Matthew Lombardo.

When the lights went down, Lombardo took the time to meet with Noel Desiato, the Sherman actress charged with bringing Ms. Hepburn to life at age 31 in Act I and at age 75 in Act II.

“This was the first presentation of the play I have seen outside of the original production and national tour,” Lombardo said. “To witness Noel’s fearless interpretation and loyal dedication to the text was perhaps one of the greatest gifts I have received during my entire history with this play.”

“I must say it was a true honor and such a wonderful surprise to realize Matthew Lombardo was in the audience…and for him to be so pleased in the way his work was brought to life,” Desiato said in response.

TEA AT FIVE first debuted at The Hartford Stage Company on February 7, 2002 and subsequently toured the country. The show made its New York premiere on March 9, 2003 at the Promenade Theatre.

TEA AT FIVE runs February 1,2 8,9,10 15,16. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with a 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinee on February 10.

Tickets for all shows are $20.00 for reserved seating. Reservations can be made online at WWW.THEATREWORKS.US or by calling the box office at (860) 350-6863.

TheatreWorks is an award-winning, regional theatre company located on 5 Brookside Avenue, just off Route 202 (next to the CVS), in New Milford, Conn.