Presidential Dinner Theatre is back at Fort Gordon after a hurricane-induced hiatus.
Helene damaged the dinner theater building, but the show will go on in a different, smaller venue, and for one weekend only.
Three veteran performers will present “Tea for Three” at the Eisenhower Conference and Catering Center, 19th Street, Building 18400, Fort Gordon Sept. 5-7. Friday’s performance is already sold out.
“Tea For Three” highlights three first ladies – Lady Bird Johnson played by Dolly Morris, Pat Nixon played by Kay Gross and Betty Ford played by Debbie Fryer.
For Fryer, the play allows her to remember a few headlines and learn some history as well as get some behind-the-scenes tea on the three First Ladies, who were sometimes more popular than their husbands.
“Even into the 90s, she was very popular. She was more popular than Jerry,” she said.
To prepare for the role, Fryer has gone past the headlines to study Ford. She’s watched a few interviews including one with Morley Safer of “60 Minutes,” which is referenced in the play. Portraying a real person rather than a character requires studying their mannerisms and speaking patterns to give an accurate glimpse into their lives. Making sure she doesn’t make Ford a caricature is important, she said.
One of the hardest parts, besides memorizing tons of monologue, is Ford’s accent, Fryer said.
A native of Chicago, Ford lived in Michigan for many years and had a Midwestern accent.
“Where I have to be careful is in making sure my Southern accent doesn’t come through,” she said.
While the play is based in historical facts, Fryer said it isn’t dry and dull.
“There’s humor in it,” she said. “I don’t like to do a play that doesn’t have at least some laughs. For me, that’s part of the entertainment.”
Shows begin at 8 p.m. Sept. 5-6 with dinner at 6:45 p.m. and at 3 p.m. Sept. 7 with lunch at 1:45 p.m. Tickets range from $30-$55 with options to see the show without the meal. For reservations, call (706) 793-8552.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards and received the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
