Overview

• Elizabeth McGovern has adapted Peter Evans and Ava Gardner’s posthumous memoir into a two-hander that she also leads as Gardner.
• Moritz von Stuelpnagel’s direction pairs Amith Chandrashaker’s lighting, David Meyer’s period set and Alex Basco Koch’s projections to evoke Gardner’s Hollywood era.
• Aaron Costa Ganis alternates between Peter Evans and Gardner’s three ex-husbands in flashbacks, showcasing his range and frequently dominating the stage.
• Critics note that the play’s emphasis on Evans’s internal conflicts and ghostwriting process curbs deeper insight into Gardner’s life.
• The production opened August 7 at City Center Stage I and will run through September 14, launching with a gala attended by numerous celebrities.