A musical show depicting the historical romance between Jack and Charmian London will be one of the featured events next month at Sonoma’s Sebastiani Theatre. The event will also serve as a fundraiser benefitting educational programs at Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen.
“An Intimate Affair,” returns to the theatre at 476 First St. East, in time for Valentine’s Day. It will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12.
Sonoma-based writer and performer Lynne Lancaster will portray Charmian London, the wife of famous writer Jack London.
She will entertain the audience with intimate memories and personal love letters. detailing the passion and adventure of the couple’s lives together.
“It’s these two unique, powerful, incredible, creative individuals who, through magic, managed to find each other and have a great love story. And that’s the basis of the show,” she said.
A generational expert, Lancaster is originally from Minnesota. She moved to Sonoma 25 years ago.
During the pandemic, she began to write a one-woman show.
Lancaster said she was inspired to write about Charmian London after reading a biography by Sonoma-based author Iris Dunkle. The book, “Charmian Kittredge London: Trailblazer, Author, Adventurer,” shed light on her life beyond being Jack London’s wife.
Charmian London (as portrayed by Lynne Lancaster) will present “An Intimate Affair,” a program of romance and music to support education programs at Sebastiani Theatre on Feb 12. (Jack London Park Partners)
“Charmian is a great example of an extremely accomplished, interesting woman; published author, world traveler, international speaker, accomplished horse women, concert level pianist. Just an amazing woman who we don’t know a ton about and I kind of have a mission to bring some of those stories to life,” said Lancaster.
In addition to the romantic stories set in 1934, the fundraiser will feature live music from the 1930s, performed by pianist George Mieling and fourth-generation jazz vocalist Josh Little. Wine for the event will be provided by Lasseter Family Winery.
“An Intimate Affair” is presented by Charmian’s Circle, a group dedicated to supporting and expanding the park’s education initiatives.
The organization formed in 2016 to honor Charmian London’s legacy at the historic Glen Ellen park and highlight her life and contributions before, during and after her life with husband Jack London.
Charmian’s Circle Co-Chair Diana Bugg said the organization works to support educational programs at the park and all proceeds go directly toward programs such as the Annual Young Writers’ Contest, Nature’s Design and Adventures in Writing.
“The women in Charmian’s Circle strive to keep Charmian’s passion for life and her writing alive from generation to generation in our community, by sharing her amazing history through the House of Happy Walls,” Bugg stated in a news release from the organization.
According to organization representatives, Charmian’s Circle’s efforts include funding renovations of the second floor of the House of Happy Walls Museum. The effort, completed in 2018, included developing an interactive learning center and the addition of Charmian’s accomplishments.
The house, which Charmian built after Jack’s death, is where she lived for many years and was always intended to become a museum after her passing.
All proceeds from the event will go to Jack London State Historic Park. Tickets cost $50 and are available online at https://jacklondonpark.com/events/an-intimate-affair-2026/.