Presented by Suffolk University's Theatre Department and Ford Hall Forum 

Love Letters, written by A.R. Gurney and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is a funny and emotional portrait about the powerful connection of love.

Two friends, rebellious Melissa Gardner and straight-arrow Andrew Makepeace Ladd III have exchanged notes, cards and letters with each other for over 50 years. From second grade, through summer vacations, to college, and well into adulthood, they have spent a lifetime discussing their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, and victories and defeats. But long after the letters are done, the real question remains: Have they made the right choices or is the love of their life only a letter away?

“A unique and imaginative theatre piece which, in the words of the 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.’ The piece is comprised of letters exchanged over a lifetime between two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share confidences. As the actors read the 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 down.”
- A. R. Gurney, Playwright
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John Kolvenbach is a playwright. His latest play, Stand Up If You’re Here Tonight premiered in LA, played at American Blues in Chicago, then in Paris and at The Huntington in February of 2024. On the West End: Love Song (Olivier nomination, Best New Comedy, directed by John Crowley) and On an Average Day (with Woody Harrelson and Kyle MacLachlan, also directed by Mr. Crowley.) Love Song premiered at Steppenwolf in 2006, directed by Austin Pendelton. It has been produced in New York, Zurich, Melbourne, Sydney, Wellington, Seoul and Rome. There have been over fifty productions in the U.S. Average Day was produced in Los Angeles by VS. (with Johnny Clark and Stef Tovar) and in Chicago by VS. and Route 66. Average Day has been produced in Tel Aviv, Buenos Aires, and Lisbon. Goldfish premiered at South Coast Repertory, then at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco, directed by Loretta Greco. The play was done in repertory with Mrs. Whitney, which was directed by the author. Reel to Reel received its premiere at the Magic. Sister Play received its premiere at The Harbor Stage Company and at the Magic, both productions directed by the author. Stand Up If You’re Here Tonight opened in the summer of 2021 at The Harbor Stage and, simultaneously, in Los Angeles with VS. and Circle X. The LA production went on to American Blues, in Chicago and then to Paris. Other plays include: Fabuloso (Premiered at WHAT, subsequent productions in San Juan and Zurich, in Spanish and Swiss German), Bank Job (Amphibian Stages), and Marriage Play or Half ‘n Half ‘n Half (Merrimack Rep). Film: Clear Winter Noon, an original screenplay, was selected for the Blacklist.

Laura Latreille most recently completed the world premiere of The Art of Burning, a co-production with the Huntington Theatre and Hartford Stage, as well as the Boston Premiere of POTUS with SpeakEasy Stage Company. Other Huntington credits include Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead, Ripcord, Ryan Landry’s M, and the world premiere of Mauritius. Off-Broadway she appeared in the NY Premiere of John Kolvenbach’s Love Song, opposite Ian Barford. Selected regional credits include The Wolves (Elliot Norton Award Outstanding Production, Lyric Stage); world premieres of Theresa Rebeck’s The Nest (Denver Center for the Performing Arts) and Liz Duffy Adam’s The Salonnieres (Greater Boston Stage Company); and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (IRNE Award Best Play, SpeakEasy Stage Company); among others. Laura has participated in the development of new plays with The Lark, New Dramatists, Theatre Masters, Women’s Project & Productions, Playwright’s Collective, Huntington Theatre, Shakespeare & Company and the Denver Center’s New Play Summit. She is the recipient of the Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Actress and Improper Bostonian’s pick for Best Female Performance. Laura is an associate professor in Suffolk University’s theatre department and holds an MFA from Brandeis University.