I have the honor (and fun) as part of the two-person cast to take part in a two-performance Valentine’s Day weekend run of playwright A.R. Gurney’s play “Love Letters.” I’m starring opposite stage artist Cara Schmitt, and proceeds from the performances benefit the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and the Women’s Association Northwest Indiana Symphony Society’s Edith Root Scholarship.
Hosted at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster, in addition to the 7:30 p.m. Valentine’s Day Feb. 14 performance, the second opportunity for the curtain to rise is a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Feb. 16, following the Sunday Champagne Brunch. Show tickets are $35 and available by calling 219-836-3255 or visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.
After A.R. Gurney penned “Love Letters,” he opted to cast himself to read the male character lead of Andrew Makepeace Ladd III opposite Holland Taylor as Melissa for a test-out performance at The New York Public Library before sending the play on stage in 1988 in New Haven, Connecticut with Joanna Gleason cast with John Rubinstein. The play opened off-Broadway in March 1989, with Rubinstein returning to the role opposite Kathleen Turner.
The 90-minute play reading details the relationship of childhood friends as Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner grow through their lifelong correspondence, starting with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through their college years and beyond, with life taking them in different directions. Eventually, the two reconnect, but only after each has followed very different paths in life.
Gurney died at age 86 in 2014, and the rights, permission and licensing for “Love Letters” is controlled by Dramatists Play Service of New York City.
The last time I performed “Love Letters” was in February 2022 opposite Jeannie Rapstad, directed by William Pullinsi in the ballroom of The Center for Visual and Performing Arts. Previously, I’ve been paired in performances of this play with my former editor Crista Zivanovic, Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalist Mary Beth Schultz and romance and mystery novelist Kate Collins.
The first time I ever saw a performance of “Love Letters” was in the auditorium of Munster High School starring Hollywood Hoosier claim-to-fame Betsy Palmer. Palmer, who died at age 88 in May 2015, returned to Northwest Indiana in April 2005 to do a charity performance of “Love Letters.” In 1991, Betsy was cast in a national tour of “Love Letters” opposite actor Robert Reed, known to most for his role as the father on “The Brady Bunch.” The tour was completed just six months before his death at age 59 in May 1992.
Of course, Palmer’s early career success came from her trademark smile and pert personality in the spotlight from 1958 to 1967 as a witty panelist on the CBS game show “I’ve Got a Secret,” sharing panel space alongside Jayne Meadows and Steve Allen before the couple married.
Besides Palmer, I interviewed Hollywood husband and wife Jayne and Steve a few times before their passing, Jayne at age 95 in 2015 and Allen at age 78 in 2000.
Just before his death, he joined wife Jayne “on the road” starring in a touring production of “Love Letters.” Many noted celebrity husband and wife pairings have also toured as popular name draws for “Love Letters,” including Robert Wagner and Jill St. John, Charlton Heston and wife Lydia Clarke, and Shirley Jones and hubby Marty Ingels.
A number of Jayne Meadows’ recipes have appeared in my published cookbooks. She was a gal who loved to cook and entertain. Her recipe file card for her specialty she called Chicken Marengo Royal Oaks includes that added narrative: “This recipe is perfect to serve at brunch or luncheon with eggs, salad and hot rolls. I love to host informal buffet dinners for 20 to 30 guests, as well as patio barbecues in the summer.”
Columnist Philip Potempa has published four cookbooks and is the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at pmpotempa@powershealth.org or mail your questions: From the Farm, PO Box 68, San Pierre, Ind. 46374.
Chicken Marengo Royal Oaks
Serves 6
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 roasting chicken (3 pounds) disjointed
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup dry white wine
2 cups freshly peeled and quartered tomatoes
1 clove garlic (finely chopped)
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped parsley
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Take commercially seasoned breadcrumbs, pour into paper bag and shake chicken until well-coated while reserving remaining breadcrumbs.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter, add the chicken and brown on all sides.
4. Remove chicken to a buttered casserole.
5. Add reserved crumbs to the oil remaining in the skillet and stir in the wine.
6. When the sauce is thickened and smooth, pour over the chicken, adding the garlic, tomatoes and mushrooms.
7. Cover the casserole and bake until chicken is tender, about 45 minutes.
8. Before serving, remove lid and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
