Love Letters “Conquers All” at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts

A.R. Gurney's Love Letters will feature a rotating ensemble of players who will star in the two-person romance. “The play that has long been a favorite of guest actors and community notables, with North Bay Stage Company mounting the show at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts opening Feb. 12^th through Feb 21^st,” says Broadwayworld nominee, artistic director and director of the show John DeGaetano (Bay Area productions of “Les Misérables” and “Evita“), produced by North Bay Stage Company. “We are extremely excited to welcome our very specials guests each night to perform Love Letters Feb 12^th through the 21^st.”

The play, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1990, remains one of theater’s most enduring romances of the past 25 years centers on the lifelong friendship between the unhappy Melissa (who becomes an artist) and the uptight Andrew (who enters politics) as told through a series of letters, notes and cards exchanged over 50 years. The production of A.R. Gurney's Love Letters, will feature a rotating company of guest stars. “Love Letters” ran Off Broadway in 1989, then on Broadway, and just recently again where the rotating casts of actors played the two roles, and drew celebrity names in part because their schedules meshed nicely with the production’s minimal demands.

Schedule of Featured Actors:

• February 12 and 13 at 8:00pm: Chris Smith, popular Press Democrat columnist and featured writer, and Madeleine Keegan O’Connell, YWCA Sonoma County CEO, previous roles in musicals and runner up for Miss Sonoma County and Miss Marin County.

• February 14 at 2:00pm: Will Durst, renowned political satirist, comedian, actor; political humor columnist, and co-host for a radio talk show with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, and Debi Durst, loving wife, Bay Area comedian, actress known for her work in The Nightmare Before Christmas, Monkeybone, and The Day I Grew Up.

• February 19 at 8:00pm: Kelly Kesey and Rod Grainger, North Bay actors and stars of the recent production of The Angel of Chatham Square. Rod is the CEO of Long Valley Health Center, and Kelly a professional healthcare recruiter.

• February 20 at 8:00pm: Mike Harris, three-term Petaluma City Councilman, Chamber Board Member and Vice Mayor, and Cynthia Ermshar, Soprano opera singer, Community Relations Manager and senior advocate for memory care professional.

• February 21 at 2pm, special performance featuring:

Don Gibble, Performer in the 1985 production of The Breakfast Club on Broadway, and Community Voice writer and guest director for the Feb 21st performance.

Kristine Redko, Rancho Cotate Rotary Club member and actress as Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof at Georgetown University and Fanny in Painting Churches.

Kevin Dobson, American film and television actor and theatre producer; also known for his roles in Kojak and Knots Landing, both on CBS TV.

Joan Gatley, actress has performed in over 50 plays including Medea, West Side Story and recently retired as an interior decorator.

The show, in a 3-week limited production runs Feb 12^th through Feb 21^st. Show dates for LOVE LETTERS are Feb 12, 13, 14*, 19, 20, 21* – 2016 (8pm, or *Sunday Matinees 2pm) at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts – East Auditorium.

North Bay Stage Company, is a resident theatre company of Wells Fargo Center for the Arts located at 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa, CA. Tickets: $24, can be purchased online at wellsfargocenterarts.org, by phone at 707-546-3600 and at WFCA box office - open 7 days, noon to 6pm. All proceeds benefit NBSC, a non-profit organization and their productions efforts to encourage growth in our performing arts community.

North Bay Stage Company plans several upcoming productions during their 2015-16 season including The Hallelujah Girls Mar 18-Apr 3, Breaking Legs Apr 15-24, and Murder on the Nile Apr 29-May 15. For more information about North Bay Stage Company, visit their website northbaystageco.org