THE BASICS: A. R. (“Pete”) Gurney’s beloved two-hander has been performed by a veritable who’s who of the entertainment industry since its debut in 1989. This long-running touring version, starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal, is on stage at the 710 Main Street Theatre through May 22nd. The show runs about ninety minutes, and is played without an intermission.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: LOVE LETTERS is the story of a lifelong, hot-and-cold but mainly affectionate relationship that weathers many storms but never quite bears fruit. Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner are typical Gurney People—blue-blooded WASPs who come from the same privileged world, but who are temperamentally poles apart. Andy is the Dutiful Son, following his parents’ expectations (including Yale, law school and public service) to the letter. Melissa is the Rebellious Daughter in a highly dysfunctional family—bright, beautiful, sassy, rudderless. Through a series of cards and letters exchanged over a period of nearly 50 years, we get to know these two pretty well. We watch them grow up, grow apart, wander separately through life, without ever losing their inherent regard for, and attraction to, one another. The ending may have you in tears.
The performers never have to get off book! No wonder that this show is the darling of actors everywhere!
IS IT A PLAY?: I will say that LOVE LETTERS feels like a play, with a nice dramatic arc and two evolving, three dimensional characters. But it’s really a dramatic reading. The two principals sit on chairs, in this case at the same table, and alternate reading a long series of lines (their supposed written communications) from stands perched right in front of them. The performers never have to get off book! No wonder that this show is the darling of actors everywhere!
Q&A:
JUST HOW OLD ARE MACGRAW AND O’NEAL? She’s 77, he’s 75.
HOW DO THEY LOOK? Old, but surprisingly good. She’s still very pretty, in a sweet, slightly frail, silver-haired way. O’Neal is most notable for the giant, non-silver head of hair he’s sporting. I believe it’s his own. Think aged lounge lizard.
ARE THEY UP TO THE CHALLENGE? Both do very well, nailing their respective characters with the help (I would presume) of director Gregory Mosher. I mean, what other function would Mr. Mosher have in an undertaking such as this? Both MacGraw and O’Neal are on the quiet side. They don’t appear to be mic’d. A little more dynamic range, especially from the vivacious Melissa, would have helped.
I’VE ALREADY SEEN “LOVE LETTERS”. IS THERE ANY REASON TO CHECK THIS PRODUCTION OUT? The play (really a dramatic reading) is vintage Gurney, a winning blend of wit, sentiment and gentle social commentary . The McGraw/ O’Neal pairing was pure inspiration; Forty six years later, it’s “Love Story Part 2”! And there is obvious chemistry here, especially apparent as the two old pros give one other a final hug, and walk off stage arm in arm. Sweet, and satisfying.
Lead image: Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal arrive at the 710 Main Theatre
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!