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Love Letters by A.R. Gurney February 15, 16 at 8PM |
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| The Story:
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| Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years—where Andy goes on to excel at Yale and law school, while Melissa flunks out of a series of “good schools.” While Andy is off at war Melissa marries someone else, but her attachment to Andy remains strong and she continues to keep in touch as he marries, becomes a successful attorney, gets involved in politics and, eventually, is elected to the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, her marriage in tatters, Melissa dabbles in art and gigolos, drinks more that she should, and becomes estranged from her children. Eventually she and Andy do become involved in a brief affair, but it is really too late for both of them. However Andy’s last letter, written to her mother after Melissa’s untimely death, make it eloquently clear how much they really meant, and gave to, each other over the years—physically apart, perhaps, but spiritually as close as only true lovers can be.
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| Reviews: |
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| PRINCEBURY PLAYERS’ FIRST LIVE THEATRICAL EFFORT- “LOVE LETTERS” DELIVERS A show about 2 people sitting around reading their letters to each other? You say to yourself “that sounds boring”…. it’s not. Love Letters is playwright A.R. Gurney’s clever work during which- surprise - 2 people sit around and read their letters to each other. And newcomer to the theatre scene Princebury Productions of Wellesley provided us with a production that is anything but boring. Presented (appropriately) over Valentine’s weekend, this was Princebury Productions’ first “go” at live theater, having previously focused on movie and television production. Love Letters spans the lives of childhood friends through adulthood – summer camp, boarding school, college, marriage, divorce, careers, and life’s highs and lows in what become two very disparate lives. Andrew and Melissa are sometimes romantically involved, sometimes just friends, you start to feel for the characters and are voyeuristically drawn in so that you really want to know what the next letter will bring. Telling their stories through letters is a wonderful way to show these characters in both their public and private selves – as one character states “letters are a way of presenting yourself in the best light possible”. A simple set – 2 chairs, 2 desks and basic lighting caused one to focus solely on the actors, watching their every facial expression, nuance and gesture as they simply sat and read their letters. You need accomplished actors in order to hold the audience’s attention for 90 minutes. Chad Stewart (who is also the President of the organization) and Carolyn Paine fit the bill. Chad in particular seems to use his personal experience as a writer to deliver that sensibility to the role. Joshua Lee Ramos’ well-paced direction keeps the show moving and I found myself watching as though at a tennis match. Let’s hope Princebury continues its journey into the live theatre realm. |
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Robin Chamberlain
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