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McMahon Appears In The Play Love Letters
This 2005 production of A.R. Gurney’s play Love Letters,
a heartbreaking exploration of the relationship between two friends over
the course of their lives, ran from January 27-29 featuring Jeff McMahon
(actor and keyboardist for Tim McGraw’s band, the Dancehall Doctors)
and Jamie Guthrie (actor and drama director for Independence High School.)
The production was in support of the Spring Hill Arts Center and its
efforts to offer arts programs for the community. “Being a non-profit
is always a challenge and we have seen some great growth this year, but
to be able to pull someone like McMahon in to help us out is a blessing,”
said Leavitt.
The play follows the lives of two lifelong friends as reflected in their
correspondence. Simply played, the story of these two - he, a staid lawyer
and she, a lively and unpredictable artist - is told through their letters
to one another. What is said, and largely what remains unsaid, paints
a picture of a bittersweet relationship that begins in childhood and carries
through their entire lives.
Love Letters is different from other plays in that the entire
action is read by the actors. “That is the one thing about this
piece that is so challenging,” said director Joe Leavitt. “The
actors have to make these characters so likeable, so believable that you,
as an audience member, are begging to find out what happens next.”
Audience members familiar with the play found the frustrated love story
performed with humor and heart. Those new to the story were surprised
to find the depth and caring expressed in the simple framework of the
two characters’ love letters to one another.
Here are a few comments from audience members:
It was a great performance! I must admit, that I was really leery
after having read that it was a play by 2 people reading! But I must
say, I was wrong! The 2 actors (or the actor and actress) had such expressions
in their readings & on their faces that I just felt like I was not
only reading their love letters, but also seeing it happen. (Nanette
T., Spring Hill, TN)
I think the thing that impressed me most about the show was that
the actors really pulled you in and made you care about the characters.
A production of that type (reader's theatre, minimal set, etc.) is a
waste of time if that connection isn't established. (Tammy, local actress
from Columbia, TN)
It has been a long time since I've been that affected by a play.
(Jason G., Bellevue, TN)
A wonderful love story. It made me laugh and it made me cry. You
really feel these characters and want love to prevail. (Michelle F.,
Nashville, TN)
McMahon found the show to be a story everyone can relate to. “I
love the idea of this relationship that spans so many years existing in
these letters,” he said. “The characters legitimately intend
to maintain communication throughout their lives, celebrations, changes,
marriages, tragedy and tumult. They need to know they are always in touch
with one another. The endearing and yet tragic side to the story is that,
despite all of their letters, the real story of these folks is that they
never successfully share that need with one another...and we see that
story played out in our own lives every day.”
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