A.R. Burney's "Love Letter" to be performed February 13 - By Jaydie Allen

Windham Center Stage Theater, located in the Windham Town Hall, is presenting a one night performance of A.R Gurney’s “Love Letters” on Saturday, February 13th at 7 p.m. with a $15 charge for adults and a $10 charge for students and seniors. 
 

Darnell Stuart, a co-chair on the Windham Center Stage Theater board of directors, suggested “Love Letters” as a special one night Valentine’s Day presentation at the theater after she first saw the production at the Freeport Player’s Fest. Stuart watched actors Paul Menezes and Carmella Castro captivate the audience with their emotional and intriguing romance and she knew the community would fall in love with their talent. Windham Center Stage Theater’s board was able to contact both Menezes and Castro and they were both thrilled to join the theater in the revival of “Love Letters”. 

The play tells the story of Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins as children. 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. Melissa’s life stumbles, but they continue to keep in contact.  

Windham Center Stage Theater hopes to appeal to the parents of the many families in the community who may not get to have a date night for Valentine’s Day this year because the theater is also providing child care for children in kindergarten through fifth grade at Windham High School from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for an additional $12 charge per child or a $20 charge for two. This kids night out was put together by Tianna Burton, a Windham High School foreign language teacher and Windham

Center Stage Theater board member, with the help of Trish Soucy, a Windham High School foreign language teacher, and the Windham High School’s Spanish Honor Society in hopes that the parents can have a worry free date night at the theater while their children enjoy arts, crafts, a movie and dinner at the high school. 

“As a parent, it’s sometimes hard to grant yourself the right to go out, but knowing your child is with other kids having fun, there isn’t as much guilt,” said Burton. 

“Love Letters” is different from the traditional productions Windham Center Stage Theater usually present throughout its season because while it is far from extravagant, it is in fact quite simple with its two person cast, limited set, and an intimate audience seating to create the perfect Valentine’s Day atmosphere. Delightful concession treats designed by Harmony Brown will also be available for purchase. Please join Windham Center Stage Theater with their production of “Love Letters” and watch as Andrew (played by Menezes) and Melissa (Played by Castro) evolve from childhood friends into romantic partners through the words and emotions of their love letters.