‘Love Letters’ Opening Night To Benefit Petra Herceg

RIDGEFIELD — The Ridgefield Theater Barn will begin the new year on a poignant note with a presentation of Love Letters, A.R. Gurney’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated drama which tells the story of two characters whose funny friendship and ill-fated romance takes them from second grade through adolescence, maturity and into middle age. The relationship between the couple is chronicled through the correspondence that has passed between them throughout their separate lives.

All proceeds from the opening night performance on Friday, February 8, will be donated to a fund to benefit Petra Herceg, the only child of Jeno and Marta Herceg. The Hercegs lived in Ridgefield for over 15 years and operated Jeno Herceg Clothier, a tailoring and tuxedo rental shop on Main Street before moving to Danbury in 2004. They were active in the Ridgefield Theater Barn, generously giving their time making and designing costumes for productions.

Marta Herceg died in May 2006 after a long battle with cancer and Jeno died suddenly and unexpectedly at age 46 in November leaving Petra, who graduated from Ridgefield High School, without family. Additional donations for Petra Herceg can be sent to Sue Manning at The Ridgefield Bank, 150 Danbury Road, Ridgefield CT 06877.

Love Letters traces the lifelong correspondence of the staid, dutiful lawyer Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and the lively, unstable artist Melissa Gardner. Their bittersweet relationship gradually unfolds from what is written — and what is left unsaid — in their letters. The words are both hysterical and moving and the audience comes to know both of them intimately, from their strict WASP upbringing through political aspirations, love affairs, military service and artistic ambitions.

A smash hit both off and on Broadway, Love Letters captures Andy and Melissa with a precision of detail and depth of feeling only Gurney — whose critically acclaimed plays include The Cocktail Hour and The Dining Room — can command.

Craig David Rosen, fresh from his critically praised work on Steel Magnolias at The Sherman Playhouse is producing and directing. The roles of Andy and Melissa will be performed by Will Jeffries and Rosemary Howard, who have previously worked together at the Theater Barn in Romantic Comedy and Light Up The Sky.

Performances of Love Letters will continue Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 pm from February 8 to 23 with a special Valentine’s Day evening show on Thursday, February 14. Matinees on Sundays, February 10 and 17, will be at 2 pm. Doors open one hour before curtain. Seating is cabaret style, and the audience is welcome to bring food and beverage.

Tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for seniors (62) and student and are available online at RidgefieldTheaterBarn.org.