Lifetime of exchanging letters captured in SLT production
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Community theatre lovers will be taken on an emotional journey in early March.
Simcoe Little Theatre – now in its 76th year – presents Love Letters by A.R. Gurney.
Since the play’s debut in 1988, Love Letters has become a Broadway classic, has been adapted for television and stage performances, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
“The play tells the story of Andrew and Melissa, who are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with a birthday party thank-you note,” said Don Kearney-Bourque, communications officer for Simcoe Little Theatre. “They continue to exchange letters through their college years, where Andy goes on to excel at Yale, and Melissa flunks out of a series of ‘good schools.’
“As they slowly grow apart, it becomes clear how much they really meant and gave to one another.”
Directed by Melissa Collver, the play is centered on the emotion stirred by their correspondence as the two actors sit at desks on stage reading the letters.
“It’s a play I saw about 10 years ago and was always intrigued by,” said the director. “It’s a different theatre experience than I’ve been involved with before, and I just wanted to do something different.
“In an age of instant messaging and social media, a lifetime of letter writing is a rare and powerful form of communication,” Collver observed. “I am very pleased to be back at Simcoe Little Theatre directing this unique theatre experience.”
Two sets of actors will play the roles of Andrew and Melissa: Chris Verge and Gloria Mitchell for the March 2 to 5 performances, and the husband-and-wife team of Andy and Cara Blackwood from March 9 to 12.
“We had a fantastic turnout to auditions,” Collver noted. “It was an opportunity to give more than two people who were keen, a chance to do it, and get more people involved.”
Love Letters runs March 2 to 12 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
For ticket information visit simcoelittletheatre.org
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