This two-man play is a mature WIN at the Alhambra Theatre & Dining. This play is excellent for anyone who remembers
writing letters to someone dear, mailing them and waiting for a response to
come back. It wasn’t as simple as it is
today - only being a keystroke away, but letters had meaning and it took
thought and time to grab some paper & pen, and make a trip to the post
office. This presentation brings back fond
memories. Younger people might not “get
it”, but the more mature audience will enjoy a reminder of times gone by.
Producer (and usually Director) Tod Booth* (Andrew Makepeace Ladd III)
and Booth’s real-life-actress wife Lisa Valini* (Melissa Gardner), give
much meaning to this presentation through their flawless reading, and heartfelt
facial expressions. Lisa’s jewelry and
both their outfits are grand and add enjoyment for the eyes while listening to
their extensive dialogue.
There is no music nor dancing, but most people could not read for two hours and
express the love that a couple of characters held for each other that spanned a
number of decades. Imagine taking a
journey of two young people through many years of school, graduation, jobs,
love affairs, military commitment, growing families, life’s entanglements, and
finally death. That’s what “Love Letters” is all about. It’s a mind game of an exciting journey.
Making her Directing debut, Jessica Booth* who did a wonderful job, behind the
scenes at bossing her parents around the stage.
Take a look
at some funny outtakes from her preopening experience.
As noted in the Playbill’s Author's Note: This is a play, or rather a sort
of play, that is designed to be read aloud by an actor and actress sitting at
tables, in front of a group of people, with no special set or memorization. In performance, the piece would seem to work
best if the actors didn’t look at each other until the end. They listen eagerly and actively to each other
along the way, as we might listen to an urgent voice on a one-way radio, coming
from far, far away.
Chef DeJuan has not disappointed, especially with his famous Roasted Prime Rib. This writer is not a fan of lobster, so the
Monk Fish was not a favorite (don’t google it before you try it - the fish is hideous
looking). Both the first course
selections are delicious, but the salad’s dressing tasted and looked like thousand
islands. Still it was tasty. The Broccoli & Cheddar Soup is well
seasoned and (as with most of Chef’s meals) did not require additional condiments. For dessert, both the Carrot Cake and the
Warm Pear Cobbler are hits. Bon Appetite
and enjoy the Show!
* denotes Actors’ Equity Association
“Love Letters”
DATES: January 9, 2020 through February 9, 2020
SHOW TIMES: Evening shows Tuesday
through Friday start at 7:50 p.m. Doors
open at 6 p.m., and dinner is served until 7:30 p.m. Saturday Matinees
begin at 1:15 p.m. Doors open at 11 a.m.
and the brunch served until 12:30 p.m.
Sunday Matinees are at 1:50 p.m.
Doors open at 12 p.m. and the meal is server until 1:50 p.m.
DRESS: “Business Casual”, or “Sunday
Best”.
TICKETS: Prices range from $38 – $66, but for “Love
Letters”, the Alhambra is offering a special pricing package in honor of this
Booth family moment, two tickets for just $89.. Often
following a show, the cast will make an appearance in the main lobby for an
informal meet and greet. Ticket prices include: a plated three-course
meal that changes for each show, and is served directly to your table; a
Broadway-style performance and complimentary parking. Tickets may be purchases on line, or by calling (904) 641-1212.
**Prices do NOT include gratuity,
professional photos, nor orders from the bar**
LOCATION: Alhambra Theater & Dining
12000 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville, Florida 32246
(904) 641-1212
Having grown up in the Alhambra Theatre, Jessica Booth has played in just about
every role from a child performer in Christmas Carole to leading lady as Jovi
in Elf…the Musical. Now she takes on an
entirely new role as Director of the acclaimed Broadway hit, “Love Letters”.
To make it just a little more
challenging (or perhaps interesting), Ms. Booth will be directing her parents,
Lisa Valdini-Booth and Tod Booth. Mrs.
Booth has been in more than 200 Alhambra performances and was once knowing
widely as the “voice of Winn-Dixie Supermarkets,” and Mr. Booth is the
Alhambra’s former owner and current Creative Director, himself having directed
more than 200 shows at the iconic theater.
A play by A. R. Gurney, “Love Letters” was a finalist in 1988 for the Pulitzer
Prize for Drama. The play centers on two
characters, Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, who sit side by side
at tables and read the notes, letters and cards – in which over nearly 50
years, they discuss their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments,
victories and defeats – that have passed between them throughout their
separated lives.
Since its debut on Broadway in 1988, “Love Letters” has been performed by a
who’s who of celebrities including: Carol Burnett with Brian Dennehy, Mel
Gibson with Sissy Spacek, Robert Wagner with wife Stefanie Powers, Larry Hagman
and Dallas co-star Linda Gray and in 2006 with I Dream of Jeannie co-star and
Alhambra alumna Barbara Eden. In 2013
Ali McGraw performed beside Love Story co-star Ryan O’Neal and in 2016, Tom
Hanks performed with wife, Rita Wilson. Even Elizabeth Taylor took a turn, with James
Earl Jones in 2007.
Said Managing Partner, Craig Smith, “Amazingly, the Alhambra has never shown
Love Letters, and it’s only appropriate that we do so with our very own stars,
Lisa and Tod.” Smith noted,
commenting that the Alhambra is really in the business of creating memories, “Having
Jessica direct her parents in her leadership debut is really monumental for the
Alhambra family and for the Booth family. That girl was pretty much raised under this
roof. Not many families get to celebrate
such moments.”
Said actor-turned director Jessica Booth, laughing, “This experience could
be really fun or really vengeful, or perhaps a little bit of both, depending on
your point of view.” She went on,
“I really think directing my parents will be a great way to get feedback on my
first directing opportunity. I’ve seen both of them work on stage and behind
it, and I know I’ve learned from the best. The bar is quite high, and I also know they
won’t at all sugar-coat their feedback. Why
start now, right?”
“Love
Letters”
DATES: January 9, 2020 through February 9, 2020
SHOW TIMES: Evening shows Tuesday
through Friday start at 7:50 p.m. Doors open
at 6 p.m., and dinner is served until 7:30 p.m.
Saturday Matinees begin at 1:15 p.m. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the brunch
served until 12:30 p.m. Sunday Matinees
are at 1:50 p.m. Doors open at 12 p.m.
and the meal is server until 1:50 p.m.
DRESS: “Gala Night” (Friday January
10, 2020. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.)
attire is “Dressy/Formal/Black Tie”. All
other shows could be “Business Casual”, or “Sunday Best”. There is always complimentary Champagne and
Hors d'oeuvres served in the lobby before dinner, on Gala evening and special
pastries served after the show.
TICKETS: Prices range from $38 – $66, but for “Love
Letters”, the Alhambra is offering a special pricing package in honor of this
Booth family moment, two tickets for just $89.. Often
following a show, the cast will make an appearance in the main lobby for an
informal meet and greet. Ticket prices include: a plated three-course
meal that changes for each show, and is served directly to your table; a
Broadway-style performance and complimentary parking. Tickets may be purchases on line, or by calling (904) 641-1212.
**Prices do NOT include gratuity,
professional photos, nor orders from the bar**
LOCATION: Alhambra Theater & Dining
12000 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville, Florida 32246
(904) 641-1212
