Martha Mitchell, From Comedy to Tragedy

On the evening before the presidential inauguration, the Shakespeare & Company theater group in Lenox, Mass., will once again air a taped performance of the play “Martha Mitchell Calling,” by Berkshires resident Jodi Rothe and starring Annette Miller as the wife of the attorney general and Kale Brown as John Mitchell. 

“Outrageous, flamboyant, courageous and the life of the party, Martha Mitchell ultimately played the pivotal role in the downfall of Nixon’s Presidency,” according to the announcement of the show, which will be on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m.

“A Southern debutante who dreamt of fame, her marriage to John Mitchell was a love story come true — until she discovered the Watergate conspiracy and had to choose between patriotism and personal happiness.”

The play is essentially a one-woman performance, with Martha Mitchell narrating in a vivacious and humorous manner her strong feelings about what was going on at her husband’s office. 

Ultimately, though, she is essentially imprisoned in her bedroom, and access to her beloved telephone was taken away. 

There is no cost to watch this virtual performance but donations are welcome. 

Register online to get log in information, at web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10607356.

— Cynthia Hochswender