Purl onstage in Ivoryton
Linda Purl is an actress who has done it all, from Broadway and Off-Broadway to movies to, most famously, TV. Back in the day, she played Charlene Matlock in “Matlock” and Ashley Pfister, Fonzie’s girlfriend, in “Happy Days.” More recently, she has acted in episodes of “Homeland,” “True Blood” and “Designated Survivor.” She also has a recurring role on “The Oath.”
Starting Wednesday, she will return to the stage to star in a new play, “Love Quest,” by Mary Maguire and Steven McGraw, at the Ivoryton Playhouse. She’ll play Kate, a 60-year-old woman who, left by her husband after a 30-year marriage, tries online dating. She befriends and becomes allies with someone else who is delving into internet dating: 35-year-old Brook, a hard-working exec in the fashion world. Brook has signed up for online dating because her bosses want her to raise her profile — by being snapped by photographers at in-vogue locations with attractive companions.
Directing the production is Jacqui Hubbard, who is Ivoryton Playhouse’s artistic director. She has said, “It has been part of the mission of the Ivoryton Playhouse for the last five years to try to include one new play in our season. I saw a reading of ‘Love Quest’ in the city last year and was immediately impressed by the humor and the heart and most especially, audience response. This is a funny, poignant and very timely story that I know many in my audience will relate to.”
The cast of “Love Quest” includes Josh Powell, Mike Mihm, Jes Bedwinek, Joe Candelora and Susan Slotoroff. “Love Quest,” Wed.-May 13, Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St., Ivoryton; 7:30 p.m. Wed. and Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 2 p.m. Wed. and Sun.; $50 adults, $45 seniors, $22 students, $17 children; (860) 767-7318.