'Tea for Three' at Cyrano's explores the life of First Ladies

By RJ Johnson

Will we as citizens of the United States ever really know what happens inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? From November 22nd, 1963 to January 20th, 1977 three very different women inhabited that address in their role as First Lady of the United States. In ‘Tea for Three: Lady Bird, Pat, and Betty’ by Eric H. Weinberger and Elaine Bromka, directed by David Block which opened at Cyrano’s, these strong characters are given a chance to reflect on their time in the White House as it comes to an end.

What was it like for the women when their husbands became President of the United States, and to be suddenly forced into the spotlight? This biography theatre piece explores the emotions, fears, and memories of Lady Bird Johnson from her time as a media mogul to the assassination of Kennedy and beyond. She is preparing tea for Pat Nixon who is the getting ready to take over the role. Pat defends her husband and stands by him, remembering happier times before finally exploding in anger about Watergate and politics, in general. As Betty Ford is preparing tea for Rosalyn Carter, she recalls the good times, the parties she has thrown, and how lost she will be when it is her time to leave the White House. These women have been well documented, and now they will come to live once again inside the walls of what is probably the most famous building in our history.

Lighting design by Frank Hardy perfectly illuminates the scenic design by Eric Brown. Regardless of prior knowledge of the location of the production, audiences will immediately recognize where it takes place. Each detail is perfectly captured without being a distraction. It is simply a reminder that this is history that happened recently, and in a place that we all know.

Tea for Three is normally performed as a one-woman show, and usually by it’s co-writer Bromke. Permission was sought in order to split up the 75-minute performance. “It’s interesting because it was written as a one-woman show and one of the co-writers is the main performer, Elaine Bromke. She performs it as a one woman show all over the United States, I believe 20 of them so far.” said Block.

Ursula Gould is cast in the role of Lady Bird Johnson. Of all roles that I have seen her in, this could be my favorite. Her light southern accent adds to the words of this strong woman as she recalls what it was like standing with Jackie Kennedy in Texas after her husband was murdered. She tells the tales of traveling down to the southern states when it was too dangerous for her husband to travel. She explains how she felt about not only his affairs, but also how many protestors would hurl hateful words at the couple. Through each tale Gould is engaging and truthful. She, like the other two actresses, has studied this woman extensively, and is not just acting — she is embodying. “She was strong for him. She propped him up,” Gould said of her research into the role and continues, as if speaking about a friend. “She was so even. She didn’t let things bother her. She was able to be the rock for him.”

Next is Pat Nixon, brought to life by Gigi Lynch, who was not a fan of public appearances, and probably would not have spoken this candidly in public at any point. “Well, because she learned through experience that every single time she did open her mouth it was misconstrued, and words put in her mouth. She had come from a type of upbringing that said you don’t put your emotions out there, so she felt it was better to totally let the focus be on Dick. She was supposed to be there to totally support him, and let the words be his. She did take a back seat, on purpose. She knew what she was doing. She was very smart,” Lynch explained. Her take on this part was spectacular. Her poise and polish finally gave way to rage as she exploded about Watergate, politics, and the actions of her husband. Lynch also feels some empathy for her character after learning in her research about Julie and David Nixon not being able to attend their own graduation due to death threats. ““Can you imagine, being in a house, with people screaming and picketing 24/7 outside your window. You must feel like a prisoner all the time. Their children could not even attend their high school graduation because they got death threats. They had to have a graduation ceremony in the White House because of death threats from the American people! It just overwhelmed me.”

Lynch, like the other two ladies, gave a thoughtful, educated, and nuanced performance that is different from the roles she’s regularly seen in.

The last of the storytellers is Betty Ford, cheerfully portrayed by Krista M Schwarting. Like the other two ladies, Ford was picketed and protested for much of her time in the White House. As Schwarting said “She was famous for touching those third rail issues: abortion, marijuana, premarital sex, depression, sexual health.”

Betty also was known for her honesty about her mental health long before she was ever the First Lady, and before her intervention and eventual recovery. It is in that knowledge that Schwarting brings forth the core of this character. From the jovial and willing hostess, to the woman who must have been terrified after simply being honest in interviews, audiences will learn new things about this iconic woman.

Costume Design by Janice Jones with help from ACT and the Cartwright family brings a special touch to the performances by the actresses. Hair and makeup were perfection for the time. Block says that he was able to choose the “cream of the crop” as far as talent, but credit should be given to each woman for time and research they did on their own to give us compelling performances with historical accuracy. Lady Bird did much public speaking and did it very well. Pat Nixon was not known for her public appearances. Betty took advantage of the platform she had been given and spoke her mind, even when the general public hated her for it. Now these three come back to tell you their side of the story.

“We want to set the record straight” says Schwarting.

For tickets and information visit www.cyranosak.org