Elizabeth McGovern Lights Up The Stage in “Ava – The Secret Conversations”

Play About Legendary Screen Star Runs Until May 14 At The Geffen Playhouse

By Beverly Cohn

Ava Gardner, born Ava Lavinia Gardner in the small town of Grabtown, North Carolina eventually became one of the most stunning, talented actresses during the Golden Age of Hollywood. She married three of the most famous men of the era beginning with Mickey Rooney, followed by Artie Shaw, and finally, Frank Sinatra, whom she considered to be the love of her life. She also had a stormy relationship with Howard Hughes. 

Some of Miss Gardner’s most memorable films include Show Boat, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, Knights of the Round Table, The Barefoot Contessa, Bhowani Junction, The Sun Also Rises, On the Beach, The Cassandra Crossing, and Mogambo for which she received an Academy Award nomination. 

Putting together a theatrical piece incorporating her life at one particularly challenging time is no easy task and yet Elizabeth McGovern not only wrote the compelling script, Ava: The Secret Conversations, based on the book by Ava Gardner and Peter Evans, but also assumes the role of one of the most iconic women of her time and delivers a tour-de-force performance, digging deeply into Gardner’s psyche. You might remember McGovern most recently for her role as Lady Cora in the extraordinary “Downton Abbey” series where she played the steady guiding light of her sometimes dysfunctional family. These two characters couldn’t be further apart in their specific complexities, but McGovern nails the superstar Ava from the opening beat of the play.

Photo: Jeff Lorch

Under Moritz von Stuelpnagel’s absolutely perfect direction, we first meet Ava in her beautiful hotel suite nicely designed by David Meyer. She is recovering from a stroke and one hand is partially paralyzed. She has fallen on economic hard times and needing money, calls journalist Peter Evans, wonderfully played by Aaron Costa Ganis, to see if he would be interested in collaborating on her autobiography. She tells him it’s either selling her jewelry or writing a book, adding “I’m sentimental about my jewelry.” The writer is rather awestruck by this famous movie star and it takes him a while to get over his enchantment with who she is and then the collaboration dance begins. 

Photo: Jeff Lorch

Ava is unsure of exactly what she wants to reveal and tries skirting around parts of her life that she doesn’t wish to have incorporated into the book and asks him if they could just make everything up. As Ava talks about her different husbands, beginning with Mickey Rooney, who she married at the age of 19, Costa Ganis seamlessly transitions into the different husbands depicting Rooney as a rather silly young man who insists that the gorgeous starlet marry him on their very first meeting. That marriage lasted a year, as did her marriage to Artie Shaw, who asked, “Do you mind if I go to Mexico and get a quickie divorce?” 

Ava reminisces about some of her films, referring to The Barefoot Contessa as “A piece of shit.” In between scenes with Ava, Peter discusses the project with his agent, Ed Victor, played by unseen actor Ryan W. Garcia, who gives him ongoing instructions on how to complete this book project. During the writing sessions, her language is sprinkled heavily with “f” bombs which she asks that her biographer removes from the book. 

During one of their conversations, Peter says, “Is it true you turned down the role of Mrs. Robinson?” She makes up an excuse as to why she made that choice. When the subject of Sinatra comes up, there are rear screen projections of the iconic singer designed by Alex Basco Koch, and we hear “Fly Me To The Moon.”

Throughout the play, there are germane sound designs by the always spot-on Cricket S. Myers. When asked about what happened to that marriage, which lasted for six years, Ava confesses, “I couldn’t be the woman Frank wanted me to be.” Throughout this one-act play, dressed in Costume Designer Toni Leslie’s exquisite costumes, and flattering lighting by Amith Chandrashaker, Ava drinks, smokes and slithers about the stage like a cunning feline. 

Photo: Jeff Lorch

The most talented Miss McGovern mines the multiple complex layers of her character, capturing the irony and wit of this legend an example of which, while refilling her never-left empty glass of alcohol quips, “I feel sorry for people who don’t drink.” As Peter spends more and more time with her, he begins to examine his own life and comes to the conclusion that he is not happy and doesn’t even know what that feels like. 

While the emphasis is on Ava’s story, Peter Evans emerges as an equally interesting character with his own pathology and personality. This play is basically a two-hander, but you couldn’t ask for a better pairing of actors to portray the complex life and times of one of the most revered Hollywood actresses culminate in an enchanting evening of theatre.

AVA: THE SECRET CONVERSATIONS
Gil Cates Theatre
The Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Avenue
Los Angeles: CA 90024
Written by: Elizabeth McGovern
Directed by: Moritz von Stuelpnagel
Run: Tuesday – Friday: 7:00 pm, Saturday: 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm, Sunday: 1:00 & 6:00 pm
Closing: Sunday, May 14, 2023
Running Time: 90 Minutes
No Intermission
Tickets: $30 – $129
310.208.2028 or
www.geffenplayhouse.org
Warning:
Strong Herbal Cigarette Smoke
Content Advisory: This production contains profanity, sexual themes

Related Posts

Community Rallies Behind Venice Teacher’s Son in Cancer Battle

June 6, 2025

June 6, 2025

Xavier, described as an accomplished athlete eager to return to breaking track records, has shown remarkable resilience The Venice community...

THIS WEEKEND: Animal Shelter to Host Annual Open House Fundraiser 

June 6, 2025

June 6, 2025

The event invites the community for an afternoon of activities, including shelter tours to meet adoptable animals, many of whom...

Marina del Rey Sportfishing: A Great Day on the Water

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

Fishing is a pastime like no other, America’s Most Popular Outdoor Activity for Year in and Year out! You can...

(Video) Highlights from Palisades High School’s Post-Wildfire Commencement

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

Actor Billy Crystal and NBA Coach Steve Kerr Were Among Those Who Wished Pali’s Class of 25 Good Luck on...

THIS WEEKEND: Paliskates’ Fire Relief Jam to Feature Professional Skaters and Competitions

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

Prizes will include cash and a week at Skate Camp. Dozens of sponsoring organizations, vendors, and food trucks will be...

Tenants Sought for Former Rusty’s Surf Ranch Space on Santa Monica Pier

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

4,112-Square-Foot Retail Space with Commercial Kitchen and Oceanfront Patios Awaits New Operator A 4,112-square-foot retail space at 256 Santa Monica...

(Video) See How CO2 Laser Treatment Removes Wrinkles and Scars

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

To Book an Appointment, Go to Mirrormirrormedspa.com To Book an Appointment, Go to https://t.co/QCUiwpjALU pic.twitter.com/yXZapvMspB — Palisades News (@PalisadesNewsLA) June...

(Video) Sea Lions Return to Ocean as LA’s Toxic Algae Crisis Ends

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

The crisis led to dead dolphins and sea lions washing ashore in Venice and Santa Monica in recent months The...

Palisades Restaurants to be Supported at Westside Benefit This Weekend

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Local vendors, many impacted by the fires, will have booths with all vendor fees waived, and proceeds from on-site sales...

Chamber Music Palisades Presents an Afternoon of Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, and More

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Brentwood Hosts Free Classical Concert with LA Philharmonic Greats Chamber Music Palisades will present a free community concert on Saturday,...

Orchestra Santa Monica Extends Music Director’s Tenure Through 2030

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Under his leadership, the orchestra has delivered a series of sold-out concerts, earning praise for his conducting skills Orchestra Santa...

Venice Beach Tapped to Host Paralympic Events in 2028 Games

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

The coastal neighborhood, already set to host triathlon, marathon, and road cycling starts for the 2028 Olympics, will showcase Paralympic...

(Video) Some of the Damage Caused By Vandals at Malibu High School Overnight

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

40 to 50 people, who are suspected to be students or recent alumni, used eggs, flour, and markers to deface...

Biggest Night of the Year: Don’t Miss GMCLA’s ‘Dancing Queens’

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Culminating its 46th season, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will grace the crowd with Dancing Queens, celebrating iconic...

Khatri International: Consider Rebuilding With Fire Resistant Construction Methods

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

What do office buildings, hospitals, schools, fire and police stations have in common? They are built with noncombustible construction methods...