| About the Play.... |
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 their 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 someone else, 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. 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
become involved in a brief affair, but it is really too late for
both of them. However, 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.
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 their 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 someone else, 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. 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
become involved in a brief affair, but it is really too late for
both of them. However, 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.
| A. R. Gurney |
| June Stacy Melissa |
| Bob Stacy Andy |
| Bob & June Stacy in.... Love Letters by A. R. Gurney The BLT Barn Theater, Brevard College, August, 2002 Directed by Joe Carvajal |
| Asheville Citizen-Times REVIEW |