05/02/2012
LOVE LETTERS / A Poignant Romantic Comedy.
Romantic Theatre in an intimate Victorian Mansion...
May 11th, 12th, 13th (Mother's Day), 25th, 27th and June 15th, 16th, 17th (Father's Day)
Tickets are just $15 each.
Love Letters is a Pulitzer- prize-nominated play, written by A. R. Gurney, which follows two characters as they correspond with each other over the course of nearly 50 years. In that time they movingly reveal to each other (and thus to the audience) the depth and fullness of their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and losses.
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 boarding school and college —where Andy goes on to excel at Yale and law school, while Melissa flunks out of a series of "good schools." Though Andy goes off to war and Melissa marries, their attachment remains strong and she continues to keep in touch as he marries, becomes a successful attorney, enters 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 have a brief affair, but it is really too late for both of them. But 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.
Love Letters is a unique and imaginative theatre piece which, in the words of its author, "needs no theatre, no lengthy rehearsal, no special set, no memorization of lines, and no commitment from its two actors beyond the night of performance." As the actors read their 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.
James P. Iaquinta was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 1945. In 1974, he founded the Wisconsin Actors’ Ensemble. James has appeared in several Bill Rebane films, including "Rana: The Legend of Shadow Lake" (1975), "The Cold" (1984), and "The Storm that Follows Me" (1994) directed by Tom Beach. In addition to his many film appearances, he has stage-acted with renowned Milwaukee theatre companies such as First Stage, Broadway Baby, and the Great American Children's Theatre.
Lori Minetti currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she is a highly visible stage and screen actress. She has been in several films by local indie filmmaker Bill Rebane, including "Blood Harvest" (1987) with Tiny Tim, and "The Cold" (1984) in which she acted alongside James Iaquinta. In 1994 she was featured in a documentary short about football with Burt Reynolds entitled "Basic Football". Minetti was also considered "the Vanna White of the Lottery" as television's "Power Ball" girl, and she currently hosts "Builder's Showcase" on Saturday mornings. Minetti is also featured in local theatre and has often acted with Jim Iaquinta in Milwaukee stage productions.
