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Tea at Five
Kate Mulgrew as Katharine Hepburn in TEA AT FIVE has won standing ovations at each performance. The independent, intelligent, feisty Hepburn comes alive when Mulgrew slips deftly into the voice and being of the famous actress. The two-act play opens in 1938 when the actress is 31 years old and in the middle of a career slump. She is awaiting a call to see if she has won the part of Scarlet in a film called GONE WITH THE WIND. The story moved to 1983 when Parkinson's disease has left her voice shaking, her hand clutching a cane, but her eyes still shining with intelligence and wit. TEA AT FIVE is an unforgettable trip down Broadway, Hollywood Blvd, and memory lane.
Audio CD
First published September 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 11, 2022
A perfect one-woman show if you’re a Katharine Hepburn fan or just love old Hollywood tales.
Kudos to Kate Mulgrew— especially portraying the 31-year-old Hepburn in the first act. I heard her talk and I imagined Miss Hepburn.
I’ve read Hepburn’s autobiography but several scenes of this play filled in the blanks of what I remembered from her memoir. What a truly interesting woman.
Kudos to Kate Mulgrew— especially portraying the 31-year-old Hepburn in the first act. I heard her talk and I imagined Miss Hepburn.
I’ve read Hepburn’s autobiography but several scenes of this play filled in the blanks of what I remembered from her memoir. What a truly interesting woman.
May 28, 2020
Kate Mulgrew is absolutely brilliant as Katharine Hepburn.
Available on Scribd.
5 stars
Available on Scribd.
5 stars
August 19, 2020
5 Stars for Tea at Five (audiobook) by Matthew Lombardo read by Kate Mulgrew. Listening to this brought back all the memories of seeing Kate Mulgrew perform this one woman show many years ago. She is such a wonderful actress. She has the perfect voice for this story.
December 22, 2015
I'm not very familiar with Katharine Hepburn's life, so this play was quite interesting...and very funny at times. Kate Mulgrew gives a brilliant performance, even though it's only an audiobook.
December 18, 2018
Although I'm pretty sure I read this when it first came out in 2002, I had almost no memory of it, but was interested in a revisit when I heard that Faye Dunaway, of all people, would be taking it to Broadway next season. Apparently the play is being substantially re-written, since in this original format (first performed by Kate Mulgrew off-Broadway), the first (and longer) act of this solo piece about Kate Hepburn takes place in 1938, when 31 year old Kate is awaiting word on whether she's going to be cast in Gone With the Wind. The 2nd act takes place in 1983, when the 76 year old Hepburn, recovering from a car accident, covers the intervening years. Dunaway, at 77 would be hard pressed to convincing pull off 31, so the new version will concentrate on those later years.
Anyway, THIS version is short and sweet, has some clever and funny lines (there's a great story about Kate having a run-in with neighbor Stephen Sondheim), and covers the basics, although her relationship with Tracy is given fairly short shrift. Now that it is fairly well established that she was primarily lesbian, one wonders if that will make an appearance in the revised version, as it's not even hinted at here. Oh, and there is at least one OTHER glaring error, in that one of the plot points in the second act is Warren Beatty pursuing Hepburn for what would be her final film role in 'Love Affair' - which actually happened a full ten years later in 1994.
Anyway, THIS version is short and sweet, has some clever and funny lines (there's a great story about Kate having a run-in with neighbor Stephen Sondheim), and covers the basics, although her relationship with Tracy is given fairly short shrift. Now that it is fairly well established that she was primarily lesbian, one wonders if that will make an appearance in the revised version, as it's not even hinted at here. Oh, and there is at least one OTHER glaring error, in that one of the plot points in the second act is Warren Beatty pursuing Hepburn for what would be her final film role in 'Love Affair' - which actually happened a full ten years later in 1994.
July 5, 2024
I don't really know why I read this, I saw it on audible and was like "oh okay" but it was surprisingly fun and interesting. It came after a whole afternoon of Rodney, Miller and Arendt So maybe a bit of disconnection from revolution was needed. :)
September 7, 2021
If Kate Mulgrew read me the phone book, I'd give that 5 stars too! What a wonderful thing she helped to create - a great script from Lombardo and a well-grounded performance from Mulgrew. It's a treat!
September 9, 2019
A two disk, 1 hour and 15 minute well done audio presentation of the play Tea at Five. I know I would have enjoyed the theater presentation. There is always more that is transmitted in facial expression and body movements.
I had no idea that Katharine Hepburn was part of a wealthy family. Most actresses at that time would not have jeopardized their social standing to be an actress. But we all know that Hepburn did not go with the the opinion of society or directors. The background of her family life and the tragedy of her brother's suicide is a helpful insight to her independent ways. I also was surprised to learn that she was counting on being Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind. A lead that she did not get at a time when she was desperately in need of a boost to her career.
The play captures her at the age of 31 and then again at 76. The contrast is wonderful.
I had no idea that Katharine Hepburn was part of a wealthy family. Most actresses at that time would not have jeopardized their social standing to be an actress. But we all know that Hepburn did not go with the the opinion of society or directors. The background of her family life and the tragedy of her brother's suicide is a helpful insight to her independent ways. I also was surprised to learn that she was counting on being Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind. A lead that she did not get at a time when she was desperately in need of a boost to her career.
The play captures her at the age of 31 and then again at 76. The contrast is wonderful.
December 21, 2021
I originally was looking for audiobooks narrated by Kate Mulgrew, as I love her voice and when I found this one, I got excited because Katherine Hepburn is one of my favorite actresses! The audiobook is only about 1-1/2 hrs and is broken into two parts. The first part is featuring Kate when in 1938, when she is waiting to hear if she got the part of Scarlet O'Hara in "Gone With the Wind" or not (interesting as I didn't even know she was up for the part) and right before she made my favorite movie of hers, "The Philadelphia Story". I must have forgotten that Howard Hughes was courting her and asked to marry her, but she turned him down. I kept picturing Howard Stark (from "Captain America: The First Avenger" and the show "Agent Carter" in place of him. The second half of the book was Kate when she was in her late 70s in the 1980s. Still as irascible as ever and taking no prisoners. I wanna be her when I am old. The very distinctive accent of Hepburn is pretty well done for most of the play, but it does drop a bit in places. Overall it was a delightful interlude between two weightier books. Highly recommended if you like classic films or just want a quick fun audiobook, 5 stars.
July 28, 2018
I knew nothing about Katharine Hepburn prior to listening to this other than that she was a classic film actress. It was interesting to learn about her life and career. I'd have no idea that she was vying for the role of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind. Kate Mulgrew -- who bears quite a resemblance to Hepburn -- portrays her with gusto and panache, proving yet again what a consummate actress she is.
September 8, 2023
Listened to the audio version of a one woman play. It was well done but I thought that the play could have covered more material to give more of a feeling of Kate. Other than finding out she wanted to play Scarlet O'Hara there was no real new material provided here.
June 2, 2025
True Rating: 3.75
I LOVE Kate Mulgrew! Her performance on TV and as a narrator is absolutely fabulous! However, I don't know much about Katharine Hepburn nor have I seen any of her films so the story itself was just okay to me.
I LOVE Kate Mulgrew! Her performance on TV and as a narrator is absolutely fabulous! However, I don't know much about Katharine Hepburn nor have I seen any of her films so the story itself was just okay to me.
October 8, 2025
This was quite a good play but the one drawback to this was that kate mulgrews voicing of Katherine hepburn. It wobbled frequently from deep south, to English to the connecticut accent it was supposed to be. It was a little distracting and to took me out of the story a little.
August 16, 2019
Kate Mulgrew does an awesome job as Katharine Hepburn!
March 29, 2020
Audiobook. Nice job Kate.
May 22, 2022
A true masterpiece! Kate Mulgrew doesn't just play Katharine Hepburn. She IS Katharine Hepburn.
April 18, 2023
funny funny
May 20, 2023
Kate Mulgrew provides a pitch perfect performance as Katharine Hepburn. I wish that I could have seen her perform it live.
July 2, 2023
4.5 stars
July 18, 2023
Kate Mulgrew did an amazing job in this.
October 9, 2023
You won't be able to not think in Katherine's voice! Brilliant portrayal.
November 24, 2024
What perfect casting. Kate Mulgrew always reminded me of Hepburn, so this was a treat. Quite enjoyed listening to this interpretation of Hepburn's private life and career.
March 2, 2025
Kate Mulgrew did a fabulous job in this Audible play. I learned more of Katherine Hepburns life than I did when I started. A must-read for Katherine Hepburn fans.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2025
I'm not sure how to review this. I didn't enjoy it. Also, I don't know much about Hepburn to say whether it was well done or not.
June 28, 2025
5 Stars for Kate Mulgrew’s dynamic and inspired performance.
2 stars for the material. Wish she had gotten better than this to work with.
2 stars for the material. Wish she had gotten better than this to work with.
June 8, 2020
Kate Mulgrew is a gem of an actor. This performance is spot on and I would love to see it, not just hear it.
January 20, 2020
Kate Mulgrew is brilliant in this audio role. She’s seems to embody the inestimable Ms. Hepburn nearly perfectly.
February 28, 2017
Excellent reading of Lombardo's play about Katherine Hepburn by Kate Mulgrew. READS audio. Highly recommend! https://reads.overdrive.com/reads-joh...
May 9, 2013
Die großartige Kate als die einzigartige Katharine:
Als große Bewunderin von Kate Mulgrew und Fan von Katharine Hepburn war ich auf dieses Theaterstück welches hier als Hörcd aufliegt natürlich sehr gespannt. Und meine Erwartungen wurden bei weitem übertroffen. Dieses für Kate Mulgrew konzipierte Stück zeigt eine "junge" und ein "gealterte" Katharine Hepburn und Kate Mulgrew spielt nicht sondern sie ist Katharine Hepburn. Sie passt ihre Stimme perfekt dem Alter an und man meint das Original zu hören. Außerdem erfährt man auch etwas von den privaten Beziehungen bzw. den jeweiligen Rollen dieser großen Schauspielerin - einen besonderen Stellenwert nimmt "Gone with the wind" ein. Im ersten Akt möchte Hepburn die Rolle der Scarlett o'Hara unbedingt spielen (wir aber nicht genommen) und im 2. Akt verwendet sie den Film zum Einschlafen. Nach dem Hören dieser CD's kann man verstehen, warum der Erfolg für Kate Mulgrew am Theater so groß war. Brava!
Als große Bewunderin von Kate Mulgrew und Fan von Katharine Hepburn war ich auf dieses Theaterstück welches hier als Hörcd aufliegt natürlich sehr gespannt. Und meine Erwartungen wurden bei weitem übertroffen. Dieses für Kate Mulgrew konzipierte Stück zeigt eine "junge" und ein "gealterte" Katharine Hepburn und Kate Mulgrew spielt nicht sondern sie ist Katharine Hepburn. Sie passt ihre Stimme perfekt dem Alter an und man meint das Original zu hören. Außerdem erfährt man auch etwas von den privaten Beziehungen bzw. den jeweiligen Rollen dieser großen Schauspielerin - einen besonderen Stellenwert nimmt "Gone with the wind" ein. Im ersten Akt möchte Hepburn die Rolle der Scarlett o'Hara unbedingt spielen (wir aber nicht genommen) und im 2. Akt verwendet sie den Film zum Einschlafen. Nach dem Hören dieser CD's kann man verstehen, warum der Erfolg für Kate Mulgrew am Theater so groß war. Brava!
November 5, 2016
I adore Katherine Hepburn and consider Kate Mulgrew a tremendously talented actress. I can’t think of a better actress to play Hepburn than Mulgrew. So it’s easy to see why this one-woman show starred Mulgrew.
For me, one-(wo)man shows often feel like little more than vanity projects, a way for actors to challenge themselves and not have to share the stage. Tea at Five, entertaining as it is, doesn’t escape that niche. It has some wonderful lines and insights into Hepburn, but it’s more a biographical sketch than a story. Honestly, I feel like a play that took parts of Hepburn’s life and transformed it into a fictional tale with a cast and plot would have been more entertaining – and had a deeper resonance. Quasi-recommended.
For me, one-(wo)man shows often feel like little more than vanity projects, a way for actors to challenge themselves and not have to share the stage. Tea at Five, entertaining as it is, doesn’t escape that niche. It has some wonderful lines and insights into Hepburn, but it’s more a biographical sketch than a story. Honestly, I feel like a play that took parts of Hepburn’s life and transformed it into a fictional tale with a cast and plot would have been more entertaining – and had a deeper resonance. Quasi-recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews