Ctnow writes of the production, "Matthew Lombardo's sometimes scandalous, often catty look at Hepburn at 31 and 76 takes its strengths from Mulgrew's impressive gifts for both mimicry and style. Seen a second time, the play itself comes across as an even thinner piece than it initially seemed. This is a sort of staged unauthorized biography, reduced into a Reader's Digest format, with bits of cutting wit, wistful regret, reverence for lost loves, worship for a brilliant mother, anger for a demanding and autocratic father. Finally, there is no real point to this two-hour solo, other than the display of Mulgrew's uncanny transformations."

New York Newsday wasn't much happier with the play, writing, "Mulgrew's performance, strong as it is, sometimes isn't enough to carry playwright Matthew Lombardo's script, which is always affectionate but often graceless. There's more than one awkward emotional segue, and he makes regular use of clanking lines such as, 'I'll never forget the first day of filming...' He also unwisely suggests a sentimental and psychologically reductive explanation for Hepburn's need to act.."

Broadway.com had further praise for the Captain Janeway actress, saying she's keeping the memory of Hepburn alive: "All in all, even though there's only one Katharine Hepburn, Mulgrew does a fine job of imitating the great actress. She's also well-directed by John Tillinger, who allows for pauses but never lets the pace get too slow... Of course, it's hard to create drama in a one-woman show when the audience already knows so much about the subject's well-recorded life. But after all these years, Hepburn still fascinates movie lovers--and theater lovers, for that matter--and the marvelous Mulgrew is helping to keep her legend alive."

The New York Post says bluntly, "Mulgrew yes; 'Tea at Five' no."

While the New York Daily News says Mulgrew nails the Hepburn persona and liked the play: "Well-designed and directed, and splendidly acted, 'Tea at Five' is sheer fun."

Talkin' Broadway loved Mulgrew, even jabbing at her VOYAGER days in its review: "She originated the role at Hartford Stages last year and, after a few other stops, has burst onto the New York stage in an electrifying glow that should promise to catapult her career to the next level her seven year detour on Star Trek: Voyager never quite allowed. She really is that good."

Variety likes the play more than most, saying it doesn't always rise above the mediocre but when it does, "'Tea At Five' ceases to be merely an appointment with the familiar, and becomes a poignant exploration of the universal joy and anguish of love and loss."

Thanks to both Totally Kate and TrekToday for most of the links.