[Originally published in the Star & Wave newspaper on July 30, 2025.]
By Roy Steinberg, Producing Artistic Director
Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Becall brought their real-life chemistry to the iconic movie “Key Largo.” Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie hinted at their off-screen romance in “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”, and Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman played a couple in a complicated relationship in “Eyes Wide Shut,” then parted company shortly afterwards.
In the theater, actual couples can light up the stage with their chemistry as well. Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker brought their modern-day romance to Broadway in Neil Simon’s classic comedy, “Plaza Suite.” Married for 50 years, Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn were the gold standard of theatrical partnerships as they starred side-by-side in hit plays such as “The Gin Game” and “Foxfire.”
Whether on stage or on screen, the authenticity of having an actual couple play a fictional one is undeniable. This summer, Georgette Reilly Timoney plays opposite her husband in real life, Bill Timoney, in the international hit comedy, “Sexy Laundry,” now at Cape May Stage.
A few seasons ago, the Tony-award-winning actress Karen Ziemba played opposite her husband of many years, Bill Tatum, in the world premiere of “America’s Sexiest Couple” on our stage. The witty banter created by the Emmy-Award-winning writer, Ken Levine, captured a sense of humor that can only be achieved by spending many years together. We were pleased that the production premiered at our theater in 2022, and since then has played all over the world.
Last season, newlyweds John Patrick Hayden and Alexis Bronkovic were hilarious in “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B” by Kate Hamill. This couple played a variety of roles in this ensemble show, but back in 2018 while they were performing together in the play “Chapter Two,” they actually purchased their wedding rings on the Washington Street Mall.
Through the years, I have thoroughly enjoyed playing opposite my wife, Marlena Lustik, in everything from comedies such as “Barefoot in the Park” and “Lend Me A Tenor” to dramas like “Adopt a Sailor” and “The Lion in Winter.” With an accomplished artist like Marlena, I am forced to really listen and pick up on her rhythms. Since we know each other so well, it reminds me of jazz as we explore the same dialogue over many weeks of performances.
Marlena and I share a vocabulary of movement and understand nuance at a higher level as a result of decades of life together. Even the many readings that we have done together are made funnier and more profound by having a scene partner who can communicate with a subtle lift of an eyebrow or a tiny pause before a word.
The theater is a place where people in the audience can recognize their own lives simply by watching characters on the stage. Audiences at “Sexy Laundry” tell me every night that they experience that connection with our current cast.
Our summer show, “Sexy Laundry,” runs through August 24 at Cape May Stage. Come see how a real-life couple creates a dynamic on-stage connection by calling 609-770-8311 or visiting capemaystage.org for tickets.
Roy Steinberg is the Producing Artistic Director at Cape May Stage.
