Coming in November…
November 2, 8, 9 at 7:30 and November 3 at 2:00
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, 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 than 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, makes 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.
Director: Danny Bolton
Producer: Lisa Pratt
Costume Design: Irene Vafides
Lighting Design: Mark Alves
About
When Andrew Makepeace Ladd III accepts an invitation to Melissa Gardner’s birthday party, and Melissa writes him a thank you note to ask why his gift to her was “The Lost Princess of Oz” (response: because she looked like a lost princess), a romantic friendship and correspondence destined to last almost half a century is born.
A.R. Gurney’s LOVE LETTERS is a tender tragic-comic and nuanced look at the shared nostalgia, missed opportunities and deep closeness of two life long complicated friends.
Directing for Cohasset Dramatic Club for the first time, Danny Bolton will helm this show. We are thrilled to have Danny bring his vision to this beautiful piece of theater.
Love Letters will be performed by two different casts, giving audiences the opportunity to see two unique perspectives of the characters of Andrew and Melissa.
Audition Parameters
Auditions will be held on Sunday, August 26 and Monday, August 27 at 7:00pm
Auditions will be comprised of readings from the script. Sides are available here
Please email us at info@cohassetdramaticclub.org for your audition slot.
Character Descriptions
Andrew Makepeace Ladd III – is born into a family of wealth and position, and a lifelong friend of Melissa Gardner, having met at her childhood birthday party. Andrew does “all the right things” excelling in school, going to the right college, fighting in a war and coming back from that to be elected to the US Senate, he can be played by an actor of virtually any age, 25+
Melissa Gardner – also born into a family of wealth and privilege, Melissa’s path includes an ongoing series of “bumps in the road” as this free-spirited woman consistently makes mistakes along the way, while trying to do right, but ultimately losing to her in ability to make solid decisions that will allow her to remain on a steady path. Andy is Melissa’s rock throughout a life that directly contrasts with hers. Melissa can be played by an actress of any age 25+
Tickets
General Admission Tickets are available HERE. Adults: $26; Students (with ID) & Seniors: $22 This show is recommended for audiences age 13 and up.