‘Love Letters’: Award-winning play staged as Senior Center benefit

By Dixon Bledsoe

Melissa Gardner comes from old money. Despite his name, Andrew Makepeace Ladd III is self-made. She is a flighty, emotions-on-her-sleeve artist. He is more introspective but has a strong public aura as a politician.

But despite their vastly different approaches to life, they forge a bond that lasts 40 years, primarily through their letter writing.

Their story is told through Love Letters, an award-winning play by A. R. Gurney. In tune with Valentine’s Day, the play is performed one night only – Saturday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. at the new Silverton High School  theater. Proceeds will help fund equipment and furniture for the new Silverton Senior Center.

Sandy Sanford, who is helping in the drive to raise money for the center, on schedule to open later this spring, said, “The community did so well in raising the money for construction and things are going wonderfully. Because we raised the funds needed to receive matching grant money, a lot of people think the work is done. But we have to equip and furnish the beautiful new center, too.

“This play, which is beautifully enacted by Silverton resident Carol Adams Fritsche, a professional voice actress, and actor Michael Swanson of Salem, is a bittersweet story.  It is perfectly suited for adults for Valentine’s Day,  and is presented to the community to help raise money for the Senior Center and to show off the high school’s state-of-the-art theater for those who have not yet had a chance to see it.”

The play involves Melissa and Andrew, life-long friends, who met in 1937 ins second- grade. Their timeless story is one of love, missed opportunities, friendship, trust, and is portrayed entirely through letters. As she reads her letters, he listens and vice versa.

Throughout the play, the two debate the nature of their relationship and whether or not writing is the best method of communication. To the end, however, they keep each other honest.

Fritsche said, “Melissa is a lively – a bundle of emotions – and is best grounded through Andy’s steady, black-and-white approach to things. And Andy relies on Melissa to occasionally push him out of his comfort zone. But – as true friends are – the two are always there for each other when needed most.”

Swanson, who recently appeared with Fritsche in the Salem Repertory Theatre production of  To Kill A Mockingbird, said, “The theme of this play is absolutely perfect for couples. It is about communication, the importance of friendship even in a love affair. It is more about what is left unspoken, than what is spoken. And it is about trust. Andrew and Melissa really trust each other, even through the chaotic nature of their 40-year relationship.”

“Everyone who attends will see a snapshot from their own lives – it is funny, serious, tender, and angry,” Fritsche said.

“This is about true love, and though the timing is never quite right in their lives, the connection, passion and love is always there.”