By Eva Trieger
SOLANA BEACH, California — One has only to pick up a newspaper or tune in to local radio or social media to hear promises, threats, misdeeds and visions of our presidents. But how often do we really get any insights into the machinations of their First Ladies? These women, who by dint of marriage, ended up living in the fishbowl of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, in our nation’s capital. Now, thanks to compassionate co-writers, Eric H. Weinberger and Emmy-award winning actress, Elaine Bromka, we find ourselves invited to tea at the White House.
North Coast Rep Theatre is transformed into the Oval Office for a couple of its Variety Nights, additional shows not included in the Main Season’s offerings. Here audiences meet and learn intimate details of Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon and Betty Ford, in three monologues, delivered by one captivating actress. Bromka embodies each of these ladies, drawing from her extensive acting and research career. This play, written in 2004, has been performed in 30 states around the country. The actress and co-writer drew inspiration from Bromka’s previous role opposite Rich Little in PBS’s The President, in which she portrayed eight First Ladies.
Bromka reported that she needed a little push to write this play, and that nudge came from her then twelve-year-old daughter and actor/director Lenny Bart who told her, “You’ve dragged your feet long enough.” She acknowledged it was time to provide a woman’s perspective. In our phone interview, the actress stated that she “doesn’t care about politics, but I was curious to know about these women who suddenly found themselves in the White House and didn’t expect to be there.”
As an example of how this new post altered their lives, Michelle Obama said, “I was not allowed to open a window for eight years.” Talk about impinging on personal freedoms! Yet, there were so many other unseen sacrifices or trials these women were forced to keep behind closed drapes of that 55,000 square foot mansion. Bromka takes us beyond the denigrating personas of Plastic Pat, or the unseen strength of Lady Bird, whom I learned was in the Kennedy motorcade when JFK was assassinated, and later mocked as “little mutton chop” to LBJ’s “Uncle Corn Pone.” Betty Ford was often not credited with her support for women’s rights or raising breast cancer awareness, but diminished by her struggles with alcohol.
Much of the content for this one-woman show came from Bromka’s extensive research. She armed herself with the 800+ page diary of Lady Bird, autobiography and diaries of Betty Ford, and writings of White House press secretaries. The multi-talented actress told me that “librarians are my heroines/heroes.”
The love affair with acting began when Bromka was a child performing in her backyard. She revealed that she had “ambition ahead of ability” as she belted out “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” to an SRO lawn. She credits her theatrical mother with encouraging her love of poetry and theater. Attending Smith College, Bromka acted in over 25 plays and later returned to teach acting workshops at her alma mater.
This love of acting, language and vivacity parlayed into professional roles in film (Uncle Buck, In the Family, Without a Trace), television (Sex & the City, ER, Law and Order, Dharma and Greg) and on and off Broadway and many other stages (I’m Not Rappaport, The Rose Tattoo, Shirley Valentine) among many, many others. Graciously, Elaine Bromka continues to impart her immense talent in one-day acting classes and workshops at over 150 colleges and prep schools across the country.
Role models and favorite actors include Vanessa Redgrave who, I was told, has a quirky sense of humor. I can imagine that, can’t you? I have always thought she had a mischievous grin. Meryl Streep was another powerful influence for Bromka, who admires her work ethic, imagination and humor.
What does Bromka envision that North Coast Rep audiences will glean from Tea for Three? Bromka hopes that San Diego’s attendees will connect with these First Ladies and spend time considering the White House experience from this unique atypical viewpoint. “If audience members walk in Lady Bird’s, Pat’s and Betty’s shoes, I’ll have done my job.” She also knows audiences will find the performance funny and poignant.
Tea for Three runs April 29th and 30th for just three performances. Tickets are available online at northcoastrep.org or by calling 858.481.1055
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Eva Trieger is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com