In Love with Charleston Stage's "Letters"

By Elizabeth Bowers

Poor timing leads to a lifetime of disappointment for Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner in Love Letters. Played by Michael Emerson of “Lost” and Carrie Preston of “True Blood,” respectively, Saturday night at the Dock Street Theatre, the two characters began their exchange of letters at a young age. Seated at two desks in the newly renovated theatre, the actors read the childhood rants: apologies for unaccepted dance invitations and drawings of cats and bedpans—“Don’t you love its shape?

They continued with invites to Yale football games, birth announcements, and thank you’s for Senatorial votes. Over the course of 40 years, the two keep in touch, sometimes just with “Happy Birthday” and “Merry Christmas” notes and other years with pleas to spend some time together.

The Pulitzer Prize nominated Love Letters, written by A.R. Gurney, has been performed all over the country and on Broadway since its premiere in 1989.

It is hard to imagine the letters coming to life more poignantly by other actors. Emerson pronounces his R’s like W’s during his character’s youth and then naturally takes on the air of a Senator. Preston shifts around in her chair perfectly, crosses her arms and holds a somber look, when her character opts not to respond to a particular question, usually: “Did you get my last letter?” Married in real life, the two exude chemistry and enthusiasm while on stage together.

With such a well-written play—one that somehow makes you laugh while crying—and talented actors, Dock Street and Charleston Stage strongly reintroduced itself back into Charleston’s theatre scene.