Delia Ephron’s ‘Left on Tenth’ a story of reinvention at GableStage

By Coral Gables Gazette staff

GableStage’s regional premiere of Left on Tenth, running Friday, November 21 through December 21 at the Wolfson Family Theatre in the Biltmore Hotel, invites audiences into a narrative shaped by renewal, connection, and the courage to begin again. Adapted from Delia Ephron’s bestselling memoir, the play traces how a rekindled correspondence becomes the starting point for a transformative relationship. The production positions Ephron’s story as one grounded in lived experience—light in touch, direct in feeling, and attentive to the moments when life takes an unexpected turn.

Production brings Ephron’s story to the stage

A chance email is the hinge of Ephron’s memoir, and the stage adaptation preserves that sense of serendipity. The work blends humor, vulnerability, and Ephron’s clear narrative voice to illuminate how rediscovered love reshapes both past and present. Its Broadway premiere earlier this year introduced audiences to Ephron’s return to the stage after the loss of her sister, Nora Ephron—an artistic milestone that deepens the project’s emotional grounding. The GableStage production continues that trajectory by bringing the story into an intimate regional setting.

Producing Artistic Director Bari Newport calls the play “a sharp, sophisticated, full of heart reminder that the best stories are the ones we never see coming,” a framing that reflects the production’s blend of humor and emotional clarity. Ephron describes the piece as a story “about being brave enough to go for it in life, even when the odds are against you,” underscoring the play’s commitment to resilience and renewal.

Cast anchors play’s emotional core

The production centers on performances by Dalia Aleman and Stephen Schnetzer as Delia and Peter. Aleman, a familiar presence in the South Florida theatre community, brings experience from roles in 9 to 5, Sister Act, Carousel, and Steel Magnolias. Schnetzer joins the cast with extensive Broadway credits, including Prayer for the French Republic, Oslo, and Wit, as well as recognized turns on television in The Wire and Another World. Their combined backgrounds highlight the contrasting and complementary energies that define the relationship at the heart of the story.

South Florida favorite Margot Moreland joins them, along with Ben Sandomir, recently seen as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof at Zoetic Stage. The cast also includes two canine performers, Buddy and Winston, whose presence adds a distinctive, lighthearted element to the production.

Creative team shapes cohesive vision

Under Newport’s direction, the production brings together a creative team with wide-ranging experience. Associate Director and Choreographer Michael Marotta contributes work from Florida Repertory Theatre, Gulfshore Playhouse, and Florida Studio Theatre. The design team includes Scenic Designer Frank J. Oliva, Lighting Designer David Lander, Sound Designer Dan Mayer, Costume Designer Lorena Lopez, and Projection Designer Jamie Godwin. Their collaboration supports a story that moves fluidly through reflection, humor, and emotional discovery.

Ephron’s own note to the company emphasizes process as a defining value: “My late husband Jerry always said, ‘All you own is process.’ My hope for everyone at GableStage is that you enjoy every creative step.” The production’s team structure and rehearsal approach reinforce that ethos.

Theatre deepens engagement beyond the stage

GableStage extends the impact of its productions through a series of engagement programs designed to invite conversation and strengthen community connection. For Left on Tenth, these include “Window on the Work,” a pre-show conversation offered before each performance except opening nights; “Wine Down Fridays,” with complimentary wine tastings from Clementine’s Wine Gourmet; and “After Words,” the theatre’s post-show discussion series following the first Sunday matinee and all Wednesday matinees.

The theatre also partners with MOSAIC Miami for a special conversation titled Turning Left on Tenth: Toward Healing and New Love, held on December 14 after the 2 p.m. matinee. These programs frame the production within themes of healing, reinvention, and community connection.

Setting connects history and new work

The Wolfson Family Theatre, located in the historic Biltmore Hotel, offers a location that supports the production’s combination of intimacy and emotional scale. GableStage’s long history—beginning in 1979 as the Florida Shakespeare Theatre—positions the company as a regional venue committed to contemporary work that engages directly with personal and cultural questions. Left on Tenth, with its emphasis on resilience, companionship, and life’s unexpected paths, aligns with that mission.

Run offers flexible viewing options

Performances take place Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Wednesdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., plus additional matinees on November 29 and December 20. There is no performance on Thanksgiving Day. The production runs approximately 100 minutes without intermission. Single tickets begin at $50, with reduced prices available for students, teachers, military, artists, and groups. Subscription options offer further flexibility and savings.