Hollywood Royalty Returns to Life as Stephanie Zimbalist Portrays Katharine Hepburn in "Tea At Five"

Her film career spanned seven decades, and she was perhaps the most decorated actor, male or female, in the industry. She won more Academy Awards for lead roles than anyone, and her 12 nominations in the Best Actress category stood as a record until 2003, when Meryl Streep surpassed her total with 13. In her work, Katharine Hepburn transformed herself from the key actress of a generation into thespian royalty, an uncontested icon of live theater and cinematic art. In her private life, her 25-year love affair with actor Spencer Tracy is the stuff Hollywood legends are made of, and so are her bouts with Hollywood itself. Katharine Hepburn now beckons us into her Connecticut home for a cozy chat and an intimate look at the legend, and the woman based behind the legend. Join us for a cup of tea, won’t you?

Based on the critically acclaimed New York production, the independent, intelligent, feisty Hepburn comes to life once again when stage and television veteran Stephanie Zimbalist slips into the voice and being of perhaps the world’s most famous actress. “Tea At Five” opens in 1938, when the 31-year-old Hepburn is five years beyond her first Oscar-winning performance and after being branded “box office poison,” she anxiously awaits to hear if she will play ‘Scarlett O’Hara’ in “Gone With The Wind.”

Progressing through time, the story moves to 1983 when the ravages of Parkinson’s disease have taken its toll. Her melodic voice is now shaky, her hand clutches a cane for support but her fiery spirit still shines through her eyes. When she passed away in 2003, it was said that the world would never again see a star with such grace, style, poise and beautiful qualities. In her portrayal of the legendary Hepburn, Stephanie Zimbalist has captured them all.

Directed by Jenny Sullivan, rehearsals begin on November 17th.  Performances of “Tea At Five” are scheduled from December 3rd through 27th at The Ensemble Theatre Company in Santa Barbara, California.

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Photos by David Bazemore