The Bushnell, Hartford, CT
through February 14, 2016
by Stuart W. Gamble
Love means never having to say you're sorry, doesn't it? In
A.R. Guerney's romantic dramedy "Love Letters," lifelong intimate
friends Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner seem to constantly be
apologizing for something each has said or done over the course of nearly 50
years. Casting Ryan O'Neal as Andy and Ali MacGraw as Melissa is sheer genius.
Re-teamed 45 years after their Oscar-nominated roles in 1970's "Love
Story," these well-matched actors displayed great versatility and a strong
emotional connection, despite only speaking to one another through letter
writing. Being primarily film and television actors, their volume was a bit low
at the start of the show. But as the evening drew on, their voices became
stronger and filled with love, hate, anger, and despair.
MacGraw comes off particularly well. Her strong acting
skills are brought to full power here. As the wealthy and rebellious Melissa,
her restless nature is heard in her point-on, stinging retorts and later in her
desperate cries for help against an omnipresent, conformist society.
O'Neal is full of surprises. Seeming rather bland at the in
the opening minutes, his eleventh hour monologue moves the audience in its
emotional strength. He is an actor of great skill.
Seeing this pair on stage together is a moment to savor.
Both have led rich lives and have worked with and been personally involved with
so many diverse Hollywood figures (Steve McQueen, Robert Evans, Farrrah
Fawcett, and Barbra Streisand come to mind) all of whom have influenced who
these two actors are today. They are truly a seasoned pair, worthy of their
legendary status.
Opening night of "Love Letters" at the Bushnell
was a near perfect evening of theatre, with the exception of a cacophony of
audience coughing and somewhat poor acoustics that, unfortunately, overshadowed
some witty lines.
