Dr. Charles Smith, Central City. The Peak to Peak Players presented a special Valentine’s production of A. R. Gurney’s Love Letters on February 14 and 15, 2020, at The Stables in Central City. The 1986 play, runner up to the Pulitzer Prize, tells the 50 year story of two friends, Melissa and Andy, through life long correspondence with childhood birthday party thank yous, summer camp post cards, grade school notes, holiday cards, and letters. From its first reading by the author at the New York City Public Library, to subsequent productions around the world, the production has been a favorite of Hollywood actors and those from the Broadway stage.

Melissa and Andy grow up in the “Land of Oz” (Connecticut) to well-to-do families. Melissa is artistic and moody while Andy is studious and stoic. The play begins in 1937. 

The Peak to Peak production featured three couples. First, the youth, Jordanna Gagnon portraying Melissa and William Hunt taking the role of Andy.

Jordanna is a fine young actress. With clear and projected text, she started in the evening displaying the intense emotions that an entitled young girl might have. Her notes and letters supply the audience with an introduction into the dysfunctional family life that sets up her future life struggles. 

Andy, on the other hand, is shy and withdrawn, William, an experienced 16 year old actor, captures his innocence handsomely. They both share the humor and the innocence of the times. 

The young adults are played by Angela and Adam Hunt.  These two fine actors are both educators in the Boulder Valley School District and each capture the deep intent of the letters. Andy goes on to Yale and finds confidence and becomes a leader on campus. He excels at the many college activities. Melissa, on the other hand, seems to change schools with behavior problems. She is a party girl and simply lands into trouble with each school. Angela portrays Melissa with a sexy, and a “life of the party attitude.” Adam finds a great deal of character discussing the values of a college education and certainly, establishes his love of writing. It becomes increasingly important as the play continues. Melissa, on the other hand, gets a telephone!

The last couple, or the older and mature adults, are portrayed by our guest artist, Deborah Wolfe, and Ed Schoenradt. Their letters start to reveal and to sum up their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, as well as victories and defeats. We learn of Melissa’s failed marriages, her continuing battle with alcoholism, and the estrangement with her children. Andy has raised a large family, and having a successful law practice, now has been elected senator. 

Deborah and Ed bring to the Peak to Peak production an experienced and vast texture of emotions - anger, joy and humor. Deborah captures all of Melissa’s flaws, her angst of the many failures, and eventually, her desperate emotional condition when she returns home under protective care. Ed becomes Melissa’s primary support and through his letters and phone calls, we are granted an insight into their lifelong friendship. The final letter is written to Melissa’s mother. Andy explains their life long connection and Ed masterfully captures this poignant story of his love for his true friend.

The ending is powerful in its emotion and Deborah and Ed captured an amazing rapport within the characters and delivered it beautifully to our community audience. It was an uplifting experience!

During intermission, the audience was served a wonderful Valentines dessert that was arranged through the Blue Moon Bakery.  

The Peak to Peak Players are partnering with L and M Productions with a March 13, 2020, musical production entitled Call Me Ned. Curtain is at 8 p.m. with a $5 ticket price. 

The Peak to Peak Players Young Actor Studio will be auditioning actors ages 10 and up for a six week Young Actor Studio class held at the Caribou Village in Nederland.  Jess Schmeling will be the instructor for this great opportunity for basic theatre technique. 

Come join us on stage or off stage. Come play with us!

(Originally published in the February 27, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)