'Tea for Three' to be staged at New Canaan Library

Three former first ladies will be sharing secrets at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, at the New Canaan Library in the one-woman show "Tea for Three: Lady Bird, Pat & Betty," cosponsored by the New Canaan Chapter of AAUW.

Written by Eric H. Weinberger with Elaine Bromka, who stars in the show, the play is a witty and intimate re-imagining of three women who suddenly found themselves celebrities in a behind-the-scenes look at Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon and Betty Ford, revealing the personal cost of what Pat Nixon called the "hardest unpaid job in the world."

"Tea for Three" has been touring nationwide, and will open off-Broadway on May 30.

Inspiration for "Tea for Three" came when Bromka starred opposite Rich Little in "The Presidents," which she performed across the country and on PBS.

Studying nuances of their body language and speech patterns, she became more and more drawn in by their personalities. "These were women of intelligence and grit who suddenly found themselves in a fishbowl," Bromka said.

"I realized I wanted to tell the story from their point of view. And I wanted to explode myths."

Bromka has more than 30 years' experience in film, television, Broadway and off-Broadway, including roles in "E.R.," "The Sopranos" and "Law and Order."

For more information, visit newcanaanlibrary.org, or call 203-594-5040.