Elizabeth McGovern to star in 'Ava: The Secret Conversations' off Broadway

The Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Emmy Award nominee wrote and stars as old Hollywood icon Ava Gardner in this play making its New York debut this summer.

Elizabeth McGovern will star in the new play Ava: The Secret Conversations off Broadway this summer, running at New York City Center for a limited engagement from July 30 to September 13. Opening night is August 7.

McGovern wrote and stars in this play about Ava Gardner, the old Hollywood actress who sat for a series of interviews during the Golden Age of Cinema. She spoke to Peter Evans (played by Aaron Costa Ganis) about her life — including her marriages to Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw, and Frank Sinatra, and her turbulent relationship with Howard Hughes — but the interviews were barred from publication for 25 years.

Now, McGovern has reimagined Evans's account of Gardner's life for the stage under the direction of Tony Award nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel. McGovern is best known for her Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Emmy Award-nominated TV and film career, with her best-known credits including Downton Abbey, Ordinary People, Ragtime, and Once Upon a Time in America.

She and Ganis (Bull, Blue Bloods) previously starred in Ava: The Secret Conversations at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, also directed by von Stuelpnagel.

“I am beyond thrilled to bring Ava: The Secret Conversations to New York,” McGovern said in a statement. “Gardner's life was one of incredible complexity, and I feel so privileged to step into her world and share her story onstage at NY City Center this summer.”

The creative team includes scenic designer David Meyer, costume designer Toni-Leslie James, lighting designer Amith Chandrashaker, sound designer Cricket S. Myers, projection designer Alex Basco Koch, and wig designer Matthew Armentrout.

Check back for information on Ava: The Secret Conversations tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

Photo credit: Elizabeth McGovern in Ava: The Secret Conversations. (Photo by Jeff Lorch)