Center Stage at Southampton Cultural Center will present A. R. Gurney’s heartwarming "Love Letters" 

February 8 to 17, 2019 - Fridays to Sundays

 

"Love Letters" by A.R. Gurney will be performed at Southampton Cultural Center to honor Valentine's Day and romantic love. Now an annual favorite, "Love Letters" opens Friday, February 8, 2019 and continues through Sunday, February 17, 2019 with performances presented Friday through Sunday at Southampton Cultural Center's Levitas Center for the Arts in Southampton Village, NY.

"Love Letters" tells the story of Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner. Both born to wealth and position, the childhood friends begin their lifelong correspondence with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically drawn to one another, they continue to exchange letters throughout their lives, life lessons, and loves and separations — remaining as spiritually close as only true lovers can.

The perfect Valentine's month outing, "Love Letters" reminds us of love in its purest and most complicated composition.

“To be blunt, I love this play – or hybrid of a play," states director Michael Disher. "Part play, part reading, part confession, part lesson, 'Love Letters' is equally, smart, touching, tender and true. It is a perfect show during which to hold the hand of the one you love.”

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Actors Catherine Maloney and Daniel Becker with Director, Michael Disher of "Love Letter". Photos: Dane DuPuis. Courtesy of Southampton Cultural Center.

Actors Catherine Maloney and Daniel Becker with Director, Michael Disher of "Love Letter". Photos: Dane DuPuis. Courtesy of Southampton Cultural Center.

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The play presents the couple onstage reading letters to each other. Disher has cast four people for the two roles who will appear in different pairings. Actors are Daniel Becker, Barbara-Jo Howard, John Leonard and Catherine Maloney. Becker and Howard are paired for two performances; Leonard and Maloney for the other two. On Sundays, they switch partners.

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Catherine Maloney and John Leonard during a rehearsal for "Love Letter". Photos: Dane DuPuis. Courtesy of Southampton Cultural Center.

Catherine Maloney and John Leonard during a rehearsal for "Love Letter". Photos: Dane DuPuis. Courtesy of Southampton Cultural Center.

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"When I was casting 'Love Letters' I saw so many different actors in these two roles," Disher wrote in an email. "To choose only two was daunting. It suddenly occurred to me that the spontaneity of the piece could be heightened if I had four actors, each playing with different partners. All four have loved this, for each person brings something different, depending upon the stage partner. Each performance is fresh."
Pushing aside any thoughts that it was difficult to settle on the best pairing of actors, Disher added, "I can honestly say I have no favorite combination. The star of this show - is the show. How each actor has embraced facets of its warmth, heartache and depth has been thrilling."

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Actor Daniel Becker who will be performing in "Love Letter". Photos: Dane DuPuis. Courtesy of Southampton Cultural Center.

Actor Daniel Becker who will be performing in "Love Letter". Photos: Dane DuPuis. Courtesy of Southampton Cultural Center.

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Actress Catherine Maloney who will be performing in "Love Letter". Photos: Dane DuPuis. Courtesy of Southampton Cultural Center.

Actress Catherine Maloney who will be performing in "Love Letter". Photos: Dane DuPuis. Courtesy of Southampton Cultural Center.

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Actor John Leonard who will be performing in "Love Letter". Photos: Dane DuPuis. Courtesy of Southampton Cultural Center.

Actor John Leonard who will be performing in "Love Letter". Photos: Dane DuPuis. Courtesy of Southampton Cultural Center.

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Actress Barbara Jo Howard who will be performing in "Love Letter". Photos: Dane DuPuis. Courtesy of Southampton Cultural Center.

Actress Barbara Jo Howard who will be performing in "Love Letter". Photos: Dane DuPuis. Courtesy of Southampton Cultural Center.

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"Love Letters" opens on Friday, February 8, 2019 and runs through Sunday, February 17, 2019. After Opening Night, performances take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and on Sundays at 2:30 pm on the stage of The Levitas Center for the Arts at the Southampton Cultural Center, 25 Pond Lane, Southampton, NY located across from Agawam Park in Southampton Village ww.scc-arts.org.

General admission is $25 and $12 for students with ID. Group rates are available. Brunch & Theater packages are $45 to $55 at Fellingham's or Claude's. Dinner & Theater packages are $69 at Claude's or Plaza. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here or by calling 631-287-4377. Reservations are encouraged.

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Copyright 2019 Hamptons Art Hub LLC. All rights reserved.

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