The Golden Age of Hollywood

Ava: The Secret Conversations

During the Golden Age of Hollywood, the years between 1930 through 1950, some of the greatest movies ever made showcased Hollywood’s sizzling star power. The actresses whose names are synonymous with the talent and beauty of those decades include Elizabeth Taylor, Vivien Leigh, Grace Kelly, Lana Turner, Bette Davis, Rita Hayworth and, of course, the gorgeous Ava Gardner. 

Born into a large farming family during the Great Depression, in a small North Carolina town, Ava Gardner’s family struggled to make ends meet. After she finished high school, Ava visited her sister in New York City. Her brother-in-law was a professional photographer and offered to take Ava’s portrait, as a gift for her mother. When someone from Loews Theatre saw her photograph hanging in the studio window, Ava was told that she was so pretty that she could definitely make it in the movies. Eventually the 18-year-old landed an audition at MGM, where she was offered a contract in 1941. And soon Ava Gardner was on her way.

 Ava was cast in small roles at first until the actress garnered the attention of movie critics for her role in “The Killers,” opposite Burt Lancaster. Soon afterwards the beautiful actress quickly established herself as a leading lady, often portraying femme fatales. She’s best known today for such classic films as “Showboat,” “Mogambo,” “Pandora and the Flying Dutchman,” “The Barefoot Contessa,” “On the Beach,” “Seven Days in May” and “The Night of the Iguana.” 

Considered one of the greatest female screen legends of all time, Ava Gardner’s personal life was filled with its share of romance and drama. She was first married to one of America’s favorite young actors, Mickey Rooney. Ava soon discovered that Rooney was a womanizer and gambler. They divorced after only one year; then she became involved with and married one of the most popular jazz musicians of the day, clarinetist and band leader, Artie Shaw. He encouraged Ava to read, to enroll in courses at UCLA and taught her to play chess. But his persistent push to make Ava an intellectual eventually soured their relationship and the couple divorced a year later. Next, Ava fell for Frank Sinatra, the one man she confessed who was always the love of her life. While the popular singer and movie actor was married at the time, Frank and Ava became an item. Sinatra eventually divorced his wife and Ava and Frank were eventually married. For six years they loved and fought and eventually divorced in 1957. During those years Ava had an on-again, off-again relationship with her friend, the eccentric millionaire, Howard Hughes. Eventually Ava Gardner moved to London, where she lived for several years before passing away at the age of 67.

During her later life, Ava Gardner wrote about her life in a book entitled Ava: My Story. But before that book ever came out, Ava had invited British journalist Peter Evans to ghostwrite her autobiography. They met between 1988 and 1990 for a series of lengthy interviews, which Evans recorded. Like Gardner’s three marriages, Ava’s relationship with Peter was, at first, flirtatious and then tumultuous. Eventually their quarrels led to Ava firing the young writer and the book remaining in limbo for twenty-five years. With the permission of Gardner’s estate, the biography was finally published in 2012 as Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversations. After becoming fascinated by the book, American actress Elizabeth McGovern felt that it could be turned into an exciting two-person play, as well as a dandy vehicle for recharging her own theatre career as an actress. 

So Ms. McGovern wrote the play. A native of Evanston, Ms. McGovern is mainly known these days for her starring role as Lady Cora Crawley, the American wife and mistress of the manor, in the popular historical television and film drama, “Downton Abbey.” But for more mature audiences, the talented actress is remembered for such notable films as “Ordinary People,” “Ragtime,” “She’s Having a Baby,” “Racing With the Moon” and “Once Upon a Time in America.” On stage, Elizabeth has performed on both sides of the Atlantic. Among her many plays, Ms. McGovern’s been seen in “God of Carnage,” “The Misanthrope” and “Three Days of Rain.” AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS, which Elizabeth both stars in and adapted from the Peter Evans book, had dazzling performances earlier this year at the New York City Center and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.

Stylishly Directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel (BERNHARDT/HAMLET, PRESENT LAUGHTER), talented actor, writer and director Aaron Costa Ganis stars as Peter Evans, while Elizabeth McGovern dazzles as Ava Gardner. From the very first moments of the play, the electricity abruptly ignites, quickly bursts into a single flame, flares up into a dramatic fire and soon incinerates the entire Studebaker stage. 

Told through a series of fast-moving scenes that take place over the two years of interviews, the 90-minute play is staged in front of and within David Meyer’s elegant and gorgeous Scenic Design. At one point, the designer’s setting transforms into a nightclub stage, through the additional artistry of Alex Basco Koch’s powerful Projection Design and Amith Chandrashaker’s brilliant Lighting Design. Both actors, particularly Ms. McGovern, look fabulous in the Costume Designs by Toni-Leslie James, as well as the Wigs Designed by Matthew Armentrout.  

Aaron Ganis amazes as he not only plays Peter Evans, but seamlessly morphs into the four men in Ava Gardner’s life. Ganis is especially excellent as Frank Sinatra, singing “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Elizabeth McGovern is gutsy and gloriously in command throughout the production. She simply radiates with every inch and nuance of the famous movie star. As the aging Ava Gardner, she hopes that, with Peter’s help, she’ll be able to craft her life story into a book that the public will enjoy and that’ll provide her with an income for her twilight years. Koch’s vintage film clips of the actual Ava Gardner enhance the theatergoer’s memory of the actress’ great style and beauty, while reminding us of the roles for which she was most famous. 

AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS is a treasury of entertainment, information and guilty little secrets. Two extremely talented actors set the stage on fire with every scene, giving their all in portraying these two strong, real life artists. The performances by Elizabeth McGovern and Aaron Costa Ganis are both top-notch and electrifying. Together the pair enkindle tiny sparks that grow into a bonfire that lights up the stage. But be warned: the banter between the Ava Gardner and Peter Evans is heavily peppered with profanity and contains discussions of an adult nature. Those easily offended might want to think twice about this production. But this play is for the tough-skinned who love the movie classics and all the stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. It’s a play for those who relish a peek at the rich and famous of yesteryear while offering some delicious dish.       

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 24-October 12 at the Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Bldg., 410 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 312-753-3210 or by going to www.AvaGardnerPlay.com

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.