
CUMMING — Looking for a special way to celebrate the Valentine’s season with your sweetheart? The Cumming Playhouse has the ticket. Gypsy Theatre Company will present “Love Letters” from Thursday through March 8. The Pulitzer Prize finalist, written by A.R. Gurney, traces about 50 years in the lives of Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, both born to wealth and position. The pair are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years. While Andrew and Melissa eventually drift apart — Melissa marries while Andrew is away at war, and he in turn also eventually marries, becomes a successful attorney and is elected to the U.S. Senate — they continue to correspond through letters. The show’s director, who goes only by the name Mercury, said “Love Letters” is perfect for a romantic night out.“We wanted to present this show because we really love it and it’s a good fit for Valentine’s Day and beyond,” he said. “These two characters correspond from the time they are very young until they are old. It’s very touching and beautiful.” Mercury noted that this show will feature unique casting, as the two roles will alternate between different actors on different nights. He and his wife, Danielle Gustaveson, will portray Andrew and Melissa during shows Thursday through Feb. 15, followed by Mercury and Selena Anduze Feb. 19-22. Abigail Ellis and Travis Young, who has appeared on such popular television shows as “The Walking Dead” and “Resurrection,” will fill the roles Feb. 26 to March 1, while Jan and Rich Grimshaw will finish up with performances March 5-8.“We want to showcase more actors for the audiences and give more actors a chance to perform,” Mercury said of the rotation. He added that audiences will enjoy the connection between the characters, which is explored solely through their letters.“You get to see this relationship between two people over the years,” he said. “It shows the beauty and poignancy of life and all it throws at you.”