Local Theater Couple Brings “Love Letters” to Life at The Strand Center for the Arts – You never forget your first love
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (January 29, 2015) – The Strand Center for the Arts announces the production of A.R. Gurney’s critically acclaimed play “Love Letters” to be performed on Valentine’s Day February 14, 2015 at the historic Strand Theatre. The play features performers from the Adirondack Regional Theatre Company.
A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters,” is a disarmingly funny and unforgettably emotional portrait about the powerful connection of love. Two friends, rebellious Melissa Gardner and straight-arrow Andrew Makepeace Ladd III have exchanged notes, cards and letters with each other for over 50 years. When they were both seven years old, Andrew wrote his first letter to Melissa to tell her she looked like a lost princess. From second grade, through summer vacations, to college, and well into adulthood, they have spent a lifetime discussing their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats. But long after the letters are done, the real question remains: Have they made the right choices or is the love of their life only a letter away?
The show’s onstage couple is performed by real-life couple Pam and Tom Lavin. Pam and Tom Lavin have been married 17 years. The couple shares a love of theatre, in fact Tom proposed to Pam on stage during the curtain call of a musical in which she directed him.
They started working together on shows with Peru Music Theatre. Pam serving as the Musical Director and Tom as the Producer and Director. In 2000 they founded Adirondack Regional Theatre (ART), a group which has become a staple of North Country summers. Together they have been responsible for thirty productions with ART. Over these thirty productions only once did they appear on stage together.
“What drew us to the play is that it is a tale of unrequited love between soul mates. And what could be better than to perform it at the Strand Theatre on Valentine’s Day?” according to Tom. “The beauty of this play displays the power of the written word alone, without any complicated props, costumes or staging, as it portrays an unforgettable life-long romance” states Pam.
Both actors are well known for their performances and participation in the arts in the North Country. Pam sings with Northern Adirondack Vocal Ensemble (NAVE) and was last seen on stage as Sister Mary Hubert in the Amazing Grace Players’ production of “Nuncrackers”. Tom appeared recently in Dr Richard Frost’s original play “Battling in Plattsburgh” as General Zebulon Pike.
“Love Letters” was written by the New York novelist and playwright A.R. Gurney and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The Strand Center for the Arts executive director, Jessica Dulle elaborates on the production “The simplistic technical requirements and strong prose allow audience members to enter the inner-world of these two complex characters and gain an intimate connection to their relationship.”
The play originally opened in 1988 at the New York Public Library. Over the years, it has gained critical acclaim and drawn attention by several high-profile actors who have played the main roles. These actors include William Hurt, Christopher Reeve, George Segal, Christopher Walker, Jason Robards, Alan Alda, Carol Burnett, Candace Bergen, Timothy Hutton, Colleen Dewhurst, Lynn Redgrave, Jane Curtin, Kathleen Turner and Swoosie Kurtz.
“Love Letters” will be performed Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are $15.00 general admission and $12.00 for members of The Strand Center, Military, and Students. The play contains some adult language.
To purchase advance tickets, visit www.plattsburgharts.org , call (518) 563-1604 or visit our Box Office at 23 Brinkerhoff Street, Plattsburgh, NY. Box Office hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tickets can also be purchased at the door at the Strand Theatre located at 25 Brinkerhoff Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.
“Love Letters” is supported by North Country Public Radio, the New York Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York Legislature and the Cloudsplitter Foundation.
The Strand Theatre is a landmark of cultural and historic importance. Located in the heart of downtown Plattsburgh, NY, the Strand Theatre was originally built as a Vaudeville Theatre in 1924 and is currently on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Posted: January 29th, 2015 under Arts and Entertainment, General News.