History is coming alive at Hopewell’s Off-Broadstreet Theater as producers Bob and Julie Thick present “Violet Sharp,” the story of a young domestic who became a person of interest when the infant son of Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh was kidnapped from their Hopewell house in 1932. Playwright William Cameron dramatizes the historical event, basing his show on extensive research, and then mixing fact and speculation to bring the play to life. The play opens Friday, May 24, for a five-weekend run.
“People feel very strongly about this case, and there is still great controversy years after the trial, so I needed actors who were able to face the challenge,” says Bob Thick. The cast includes Tappany Hochman in the title role; Barry Abramowitz as detective Harry Walsh; Austin Belgey in the triple role as Charles Lindbergh, Sergeant John McGrath, and Ernie Miller, a young suitor of Violet Sharp; Jerry Smith in the dual roles of Septimus Banks, the head butler, and Colonel Norman Schwarzkopf Sr.; and Kendra Guinness as four characters including Violet’s younger sister Edna, Anne Lindbergh, a secretary, and a nurse.
Kelly Lake of West Windsor plays the dual role of Adela, a journalist; and Betty Gow, a nursemaid to the baby. Lake has seconds to make a quick costume change and make each character recognizably different with attitude, accent, and body language.
“Gow was originally accused, yet she is not the focal point, and Adela is a journalist based on Adela St. Johns,” says Lake. “They are both very involved in the story — in different ways.” (Adela Rogers St. Johns was a reporter for Hearst Publications who covered the Lindbergh trial.)
In the role of Adela, the newscaster, she speaks in a midwestern accent. In the role of Gow she speaks in a Scottish accent. “It is always nice when you can apply skills,” says Lake. “A Scottish accent is not terribly far from a British one except for the hard R sounds.”
“I’ve lived in the Mercer County area most of my life,” she says. Born in Germany, Lake moved to South Main Street in Cranbury, where her grandmother owned Cranbury TV Service. The family moved to Conover Road in West Windsor when Lake was in the fourth grade and moved to Princeton when she was a senior in high school. She attended Cranbury Public School, Stuart School, and then Princeton Day School.
“I wrote a play in second grade,” Lake says. “It was very sweet.” She was in the theater club in high school but did not pursue it until her senior year. The first Broadway production that Lake saw was “Jesus Christ Superstar.” “I can remember that I was mesmerized,”
Lake has a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Skidmore College, a master’s degree of fine arts in drama from New School University’s Actor’s Studio, and a certificate in drama from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Lake lived in Plainsboro while pursuing a graduate degree at the New School’s Actor’s Studio. “There was no way I could afford to live in New York City,” she says. “It was an intensive and amazing experience to be in the program as it was just beginning. We had master classes with the directors who were interviewed and it was inspiring to have the profession brought to life.” She was a member of its first graduating class.
She has been teaching courses such as American literature, composition, research writing, foundation writing, and improvisation for the performer at Mercer College and Rider University for many years. An actor and a director, Lake has also worked as a dramaturg to hone plays for workshop. She is making her first entrance back to the stage since she began growing her family.
She now lives on the West Windsor-Hamilton border with her toddler twins, a boy and a girl; and her two dogs. The twins are in preschool two days a week. “Twins are magical but double the work. It’s amazing to have a boy and a girl,” says Lake. “They are really different.”
“The children have a tough time watching real news but they adore live music. They have seen shows at Sesame Place and may soon be ready for children’s theater performances. They will have theater in front of them,” she says. “They are fascinated with mommy doing pretend but they will not be seeing this show.”
Lake’s mother, Nola Bencze, was a Rockette in her younger days. She earned a law degree many years ago and works with Buchanan Ingersoll and Rooney in West Windsor. An advocate for the nonprofit organization PEI Kids, Bencze has volunteered on the board of trustees for 16 years and has served as president for the last four years. She was recently honored during Princeton YWCA’s Tribute to Women event. “She has always been a constant support, and it was a wonderful to support her,” says Lake. Her father, a graphic designer, was in the service when she was young. He died in 1984.
“It’s an interesting show with an historical component,” says Lake of the Off-Broadstreet production. “The show raises controversy with many people who followed the story.” Perhaps the lecture series at West Windsor Library in July will help people sort out the details.
Lake is still connected to her Conover Road roots, and is friends with Lori and Kevin Appelget, owners of Appelget Farm on Conover Road. “They also have young twins,” she says.
Lake met Lori Appelget at a Moms of Multiples meeting and they became friends. “They also have young twins,” says Lake. “I never thought I’d be having a playdate while looking at my old house.” “I never thought I’d be having a playdate while looking at my old house.”
Violet Sharp, Off-Broadstreet Theater, 5 South Greenwood Avenue, Hopewell. Five weekends beginning Friday, May 24. $29.50 to $31.50 includes dessert. 609-466-2766. www.off-broadstreet.com.
The Lindbergh Kidnapping, West Windsor Senior Center, 271 Clarksville Road, West Windsor. Wednesdays, July 10, 17, and 24, 1 p.m. Lloyd C. Gardner, a scholar, historian, and author of “The Case That Never Dies: The Lindbergh Kidnapping,” gives a three-part lecture. Register. 609-799-9068.
