Love Letters

by A.R. Gurney

Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, both born to wealth and position, 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—where Andy goes on to excel at Yale and law school, while Melissa flunks out of a series of “good schools.” While Andy is off at war Melissa marries, but her attachment to Andy remains strong and she continues to keep in touch as he marries, becomes a successful attorney, gets involved in politics and, eventually, is elected to the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, her marriage in tatters, Melissa dabbles in art and gigolos, drinks more than she should, and becomes estranged from her children. Eventually she and Andy do become involved in a brief affair, but it is really too late for both of them. However Andy’s last letter, written to her mother after Melissa’s untimely death, makes it eloquently clear how much they really meant, and gave to, each other over the years—physically apart, perhaps, but spiritually as close as only true lovers can be.

Genres: Plays, Drama, Theatre, Fiction, Humor, Romance, American

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1989

About the author

A.R. Gurney was an American playwright and novelist.

Reviews

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, both born to wealth and position, are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence (over 50 years) begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. They continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years—where Andy goes on to excel at Yale and law school, while Melissa flunks out of a series of "good schools." While Andy is off at war Melissa marries, but her attachment to Andy remains strong and she continues to keep in touch as he marries, becomes a successful attorney, gets involved in politics and, eventually, is elected to the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, her marriage in tatters, Melissa dabbles in art and gigolos, drinks more than she should, and becomes estranged from her children. However it is Andy's last letter, written to her mother after Melissa's untimely death, that makes it eloquently clear how much they really meant, and gave to, each other over the years—physically apart, perhaps, but spiritually as close as only true lovers can be.

I was fortunate to see this play last week in New York. I loved it so much, I purchased and read the script. The two leads were Carol Burnett (Melissa) and Brian Dennehy (Andrew Makepeace Ladd III).



The play’s title is, on one level, tinged with irony: for much of their lives, the relationship between Andy and Melissa remains one of flirting and friendship that somehow never bloomed into romance. The sense of regret that we read between the lines of their correspondence gives the play a melancholy underpinning, as we (and they) consider what might have been, and whether their lives might have turned out differently had they found a way to come together for good.

What ultimately makes the play so haunting is the recognition that the heart of Andy and Melissa’s relationship cannot be captured in the many thousands of words they exchange. Even today, when people broadcast their every waking thought on any number of social media platforms, we only really manage to record a small sliver of what it means, and how it feels, to grow and change, to experience love and endure loss. In its oblique and unaffected way, Love Letters illustrates this universal truth, that so much of life, probably most of it, is a solitary journey, a letter we write only to ourselves.

[Swethaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this urgently on the train ride back from work and felt like I'd lived a whole life in a 60 minute window. I had. What a treat!

[Molly Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney and wow… I would kill to be in that show. I don’t know what it is about it, maybe it’s in part because I have a couple Andys in my life who I’ve known since I was little. Maybe it’s because it’s been raining. Maybe it’s because I’ve always had a fear of growing old, and at this point in my life everything feels to be going so quickly… I don’t remember the last time a text made me feel like that— such real feelings. I just loved it.

[Iulia Kyçyku · Rating 5 out of 5]

'As I told you before, in
some ways I feel most alive when I'm holed up in some corner, writing
things down. I pick up a pen, and almost immediately everything seems to
take shape around me.'

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a particular weakness for epistolary novels. A letter speaks volumes and Love Letters was no exception.

A R Gurney's stroke of genius in this play is in allowing the reader the freedom to build the characters , based simply on letters that pass back and forth between Andrew Makepeace Ladd 111 and Melissa Gardner through 50 years of their life.

A poignant tale of what could have been, of friendship that sustained through the years, and an affirmation of the adage , that first love, is the hardest to forget.

[Božena Adamkovič · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep, emotional and classy. I have seen the play before reading the book and it was the reason I could envision live characters, hear intonations and feel so wide range of emotions - it was combination of both, the book and the play.
Though, it was absolute satisfaction to dive into this beautiful love story. It illustrates how important is to recognize the true feelings and be brave enough to stand for them no matter what.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was oddly fitting to read this in the same timeframe when I was reading Cecilia Ahern's LOVE, ROSIE. I'd be shocked if Ahern didn't use LOVE LETTERS as part of her inspiration.

Gurney has an uncanny ability to maintain a novel-like quality despite the epistolary nature. And it's far more charming to watch a story unfold in a series of letters when it's NOT set in a time period where the characters are first having to explain a way why they aren't just texting or calling instead.

The childhood rapport between Andy and Melissa is utterly charming - and the conclusion of their lifelong friendship is deeply heartbreaking. I can only imagine how stunning it would be to see two seasoned actors perform this live.

[Bobby Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good, especially in the development of Andy's and Melissa's characters over the years. Reminded me a little of SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR in the way the characters' politics diverge over the years, but they end up growing closer rather than farther apart. I should have seen the twist at the end coming, but then Andy should have seen it coming too.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, probably a 45 min max play. Like that there’s no set, disagree with the author about not acting some of it as I think it will get boring otherwise. Well written dramedy; certainly not a comedy.

[Abhishek Sengupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This play was adapted both in Bengali and Hindi, but what's important to note is that all the three versions had different endings. This is unique, I believe.

[Misti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two person show. Really sweet and funny exchanges mostly, but some dated, offensive comments. Hated the ending, but tis life.

[gisela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried, a truly ugly cry. I’d love to see the play.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read Love Letters in high school but have only foggy memories of the play. I mostly remember it as one of those plays that gets performed a lot (understandable, given the lack of set and memorization). In other words, it didn’t leave an enormous impression on me.

Coming back to the play as an adult, I can see why this play didn’t resonate with teenage me. While I enjoyed it, I can’t say I connected with it much now either – I found Melissa a sort of half character as compared to Andy, and the second act is entirely too rushed and scattered.

But it is an interesting experiment in the theatre and in the challenge of keeping the audience’s attention with words alone. Quasi-recommended.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful play! I've never seen it done, though I know it gets produced often, especially for fundraisers, as it's a two- person play, that require no or one rehearsal and no memorization.


It's a look at two people through their letters to each other, who have known each other their whole lives.

[Jcorning · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a play and a quick read (I read this in under 2 hours) focused on two friends (one male, one female) who write letters to each other throughout their lives, starting in second grade, revealing their feelings for one another and the various events, emotions and changes in their complicated lives.
Note: there is not a Kindle version of this to purchase online.

[Anton Segers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bijwijlen geestig theaterstuk bestaande uit liefdesbrieven tussen een paar dat nooit een paar werd.
Vaak oppervlakkig, maar met een grote schaar valt hier een speels en soms ontroerend voorstellinkje van te maken.

[mengwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

dang half of me is like i wish they worked out their feelings for each other but the other half is like nahhh they weren’t good for each other. very interesting play though i enjoyed the letter format!

[Salvatore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bring your tissues! Simplistic, charming, and heart-wrenching.

[Diane-OP · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenge category: a play

[Rdb]

Saw live production on tv with Sally Fields and Bryan Cranston.

[JCP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sally Fields and Bryan Cranston

[David Eden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written but a bit dull. I know this is a huge favourite for the fact it requires no set and no memorization but it didn't move me.

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a re-read of an old comfort.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[John W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jos'ee and I throughly enjoyed a reading of this on May 2023.

[Virg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still sobbing.

[Nad · Rating 5 out of 5]

sueño con verla en el teatro y poder sentir un poquito de lo que nunca sera aunque no sea actuada por los actores que me gustaría porque nunca van a volver, gracias Selva.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

this sucks! dont read this! not gonna think hard on this review bc im not doing all that for this play! hey guys a fun idea (only written correspondence for script) doesnt make a play good or well written! we all know this kind of love should not be idealized what is going on and why was that ending so embarrassing, ur telling me you wanted to be all cool and only have the dialogue be through letters but you let a ghost respond at the end? lame ass characters existing depthless! ready for a love letters two hander with a completely different script, storyline, theme, and characters!

[Zack · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's It About:
A two character play about Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner who share nearly 50 years of their lives with each other through only letters, notes, and cards.

Author’s Note:
-No theater, lengthy rehearsal process, special set, memorization of lines needed
-Designed to be simply read aloud by two actors of the same age sitting side-by-side at a table dressed in simple but formal clothing
-May work best if actors do not look at each other until end, but listen attentively

On the Writing:
-Genuinely interested and cared about both characters and wondered what would happen to them as individuals and the status and eventual outcome of their relationship
-Some of the letters were so short that it seemed unrealistic that a letter that short would have been written and sent
-Some short letters and fast pacing left something to be desired (though maybe that was the point) but I would have liked to see more

For Directing/Casting:
-Can be creative with staging, use of lighting, possibly even music to show time and place changes when letter vignettes transition
-Not typically done (not sure if it would even be allowed) but possibly cast different actors to play the different ages?

For Acting:
-Challenge of portraying the same character from a young child to middle age
-Challenge of not making eye contact; must feed off from the other and maintain chemistry and a believable relationship and connection simply from the sound of their voice
-Very easy, little commitment due to no memorization and very little rehearsing; actors could even self-direct

For Producing/Audiences:
-Very financially doable due to simple scenic design, props, and costuming
-No huge or technically equipped theater needed
-Letter-writing may be a dying art, but theme of talking/hearing someone’s voice and seeing them over written word still relatable when compared to texting, Facebook, etc.
-Dated references and vernacular may make it harder for younger audiences to appreciate
-All ages and genders will relate and connect to characters and story