Eleanor

RETURN ENGAGEMENT- 2 WEEKS ONLY!
NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE
SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON FIRST LADY IN
ELEANOR
By Mark St. Germain
Directed by David Ellenstein
August 27-September 6, 2026

Solana Beach, Calif. – For two weeks only - She was called the heart of the presidency. Here, she speaks for herself.

While sitting on a park bench in Washington, D.C., contemplating the death of her husband, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt candidly reveals the many facets of her storied life in a riveting one-woman play. Award-winning actor Kandis Chappell deftly illuminates the witty, feisty, vulnerable woman who was considered the heart of FDR’s presidency. Exploring both the public and private persona of this remarkable woman, Mark St. Germain (Dancing Lessons, Becoming Dr. Ruth, Freud’s Last Session) captures the essence of the woman who left an indelible mark on American history. For those who love honest, pull-no-punches drama, this is one you cannot miss!

“North Coast Rep’s ‘Eleanor’ is a thoughtful, insightful and well-cast look at the former first lady.” – The San Diego Union-Tribune

“Chappell’s mastery of the subtleties of Roosevelt’s sensibilities, suffering and successes will keep you engaged and enlightened.  Do not miss this opportunity to share an evening with an outstanding woman who carved much of this country’s history, and whose legacy lives on today.”  -Jenni Prisk, critic

"A wonderful portrayal of one of the most influential women in U.S. history. ‘Eleanor’ is a wonderful gift to local theater lovers. Don’t pass it up." - San Diego Stage and Screen

“North Coast Rep’s production of ‘Eleanor’ is an hour and a half of wonderful insight, humor, memories and inspiration into the life of one of the great ladies of United States history.” –The Vista Press and The North Coast Daily Star

"A brilliant solo performance. This riveting biographical drama is not to be missed!" -  CultureVulture

“Chappell’s charm illustrates the pure theatre-going experience. One actor, one act, one set, and an enchanting time.” – Fromanother0

“Actor Kandis Chappell is a one-woman tour de force. Director David Ellenstein has done an amazing job with this impressive show. Chappell’s emotions run the entire gamut of the human experience. She is funny, witty, devastated, lonely, brave, and committed. The actor’s timing, voice and entire bearing recall her character, and while Chappell is significantly more feminine than Mrs. Roosevelt, one nearly does a double take.” – San Diego Jewish World

David Ellenstein directs Kandis Chappell* in ELEANOR. The design team includes Michael Wogulis (Set Design) Matthew Novotny (Lighting), Elisa Benzoni (Costume Design), Aaron Rumley (Sound & Projection Design), and Peter Herman (Hair & Wigs). Cindy Rumley* is the Stage Manager.

*The actor or stage manager appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association. For photos, go to www.northcoastrep.org/press.

ELEANOR returns for 2 weeks only- August 27-September 6, 2026. North Coast Repertory Theatre is located at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, CA 92075. Tickets: $88. Call 858-481-1055, visit www.northcoastrep.org to purchase tickets.

BIOS:

MARK ST. GERMAIN (Playwright) has written the plays Freud’s Last Session (Off Broadway Alliance Award), Camping with Henry and Tom (Outer Critics Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award), Forgiving Typhoid Mary, (Time Magazine’s “Year’s Ten Best”), and Becoming Dr. Ruth, the story of Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Other plays include Eleanor, Best of Enemies, Relativity, and Out of Gas on Lover’s Leap. His latest play, premiering in the summer of 2023 at the Barrington Stage Company, is The Happiest Man On Earth, The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor. Mark co-wrote the screenplay for Carroll Ballard’s Warner Brothers film, “Duma.” He directed and co-produced the documentary, “My Dog, An Unconditional Love Story,” featuring Richard Gere, Glenn Close, and Billy Collins among others. His film adaptation of “Freud’s Last Session” will be released by Sony Entertainment in early 2024. He has written the award-winning children’s book, “Three Cups,” “Walking Evil,” a humorous memoir, and “The Mirror Man,” a thriller. Mark is a member of the Dramatists Guild, the Writer’s Guild East, and an Associate Artist at the Barrington Stage Company. The Barrington Stage Company named their second stage, “The St. Germain Stage.”

DAVID ELLENSTEIN (Director) Born into a theatrical family; David has worked in theatres across the country. He currently serves as Artistic Director of North Coast Rep. A veteran of over 300 theatrical productions, other theatres include: Artistic Director of Laguna Playhouse, Coconut Grove Playhouse, Papermill Playhouse, Portland Stage. Renaissance Theatre, Actor’s Theatre of Phoenix, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Laguna Playhouse, Southwest Shakespeare Company, AJTC, Meadow Brook Theatre, Portland Rep and Gaslamp Quarter Theatre. Winner of the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award for “2018 Director of the Year Award.”

KANDIS CHAPPELL* (Eleanor Roosevelt) is delighted to bring Eleanor back to North Coast Rep, where the journey began! Since that first NCRT production in June 2023, she has performed Eleanor at Laguna Playhouse; the Portland Stage Company in Maine; and the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, CA. Kandis is an Associate Artist of the Old Globe here in San Diego, where she has appeared in more than 30 productions. She has performed extensively at South Coast Rep in Costa Mesa (north of North Coast Rep!), and at theaters across the country, including: The Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, ACT in San Francisco, the Intiman in Seattle, the Huntington in Boston, Milwaukee Rep, Seattle Rep, Kansas City Rep, Lincoln Center, and on Broadway.

CINDY RUMLEY* (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be returning to North Coast Rep after previously stage managing here for 10 years. Recent shows include: Jekyll & Hyde, Eleanor, Blues in the Night, The Remarkable Mister Holmes... Cindy holds an M.F.A in stage management from UC Irvine.