It was a Pacific Princess party.
The cast of “The Love Boat” reunited to celebrate the opening night of Ted Lange’s new Off-Broadway play, “Lady Patriot,” in New York City on Tuesday.
Lange, 77, was joined by former co-stars Fred Grandy, 77, Bernie Kopell, 92, and Jill Whelan, 58, for the special event at Theatre Row.
Besides writing and directing the Civil War-era play, Lange cast former “Love Boat” colleagues Grandy and Whelan in the production.
“‘Lady Patriot,’ which is based on a true story, reveals an intimate look into the prejudices and patriotism of three ladies who lived during the Civil War: Varina Davis, Elizabeth Van Lew, and Mary Bowser,” reads a press release about the show, per Playbill.
“In the play, the inner sanctum of Confederate President Jefferson Davis has been breached. Information is leaking to the enemy, but who is the spy? No one is privy to this information except Jefferson’s advisors, and they are beyond repute.”
Running for a limited, 12-performance engagement from September 6 to 20, the “Lady Patriot” cast is rounded out by Josie DiVincenzo, Gordon Goodman, Chrystee Pharris, Derek Powell and Count Stovall.
Lange opened up about the production and his decision to tackle a Civil War-era story when “Lady Patriot” was first announced in July.
“Reading a book on the life of Elizabeth Van Lew, I happened upon the contribution of black slave, Mary Bowser, as a Union spy,” he explained at the time. “I added into the mix the plight of the Confederate first lady, Varina Davis. I soon realized I had a story about the patriotism of three different schools of thought.”
Gavin MacLeod and Fred Grandy in a promo shot for “The Love Boat.” Courtesy Everett Collection
The former sitcom star, meanwhile, gushed about reconnecting with his former co-stars for the show.
“I delight in working with my ‘Love Boat’ cast mates Jill and Fred,” Lange said. “We have artistic chemistry, and it is fun to see our love of theatre blossom on stage.”
“The Love Boat” aired on ABC for an impressive nine seasons from September 1977 to May 1986.
Created by Wilford Lloyd Baumes, the romantic comedy-drama centered on Captain Merrill Stubing (Gavin MacLeod) and his crew aboard the MS Pacific Princess cruise ship. MacLeod, who also appeared in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” passed away in May 2021 at the age of 90.
Starring Lange as bartender Isaac Washington, Grandy as purser Burl “Gopher” Smith, Kopell as doctor Adam “Doc” Bricker and Whelan as Vicki Stubing, the beloved sitcom went on to be nominated for several Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy Awards.
Other cast regulars included Lauren Tewes (cruise director Julie McCoy), Ted McGinley (photographer Ashley “Ace” Covington Evans) and Patricia Klous (Judy McCoy). Guest actors regularly appeared as passengers traveling on board the Pacific Princess.
Following the final “Lady Patriot” performance at Theatre Row on Sept. 20, the “Love Boat” cast will reunite once again for Princess Cruises’ Love Boat Celebration at Sea later this year, per People.
Lange, Grandy, Kopell and Whelan will be joined by Tewes for the seven-night sailing event, as well as recurring guest star Charo, when the cruise departs from Galveston, Texas, on Nov. 16.
