The Truman State University Department of Theatre will kick off the 2018-2019 year with our faculty show (starring Professors Randy Bame and Dana Smith). Join us as we put on A.R. Gurney’s tender and heart-wrenching play Love Letters, directed by Assistant Professor David Charles Goyette.
Tickets are free of charge with general seating and shows will take place on Monday, August 20 and Tuesday, August 21 at 8 p.m. in the James G. Severns Theatre located in the Ophelia Parrish Building. Love Letters contains mature subject matter.
THE STORY: 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.
A unique and imaginative story comprised of letters exchanged over a lifetime between two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share confidences. As the actors read the letters aloud, what is created is an evocative, touching, frequently funny, but always telling pair of character studies in which what is implied is as revealing and meaningful as what is actually written down.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/298304460935815/
For more information call 660-785-4515.
