Wine Country Theatre presents dinner theatre Feb. 14-16
PASO ROBLES — “Love Letters,” a gentle, funny romantic play tells the story of two people that spans decades, from their first meeting in second grade into late adulthood. Written by A. R. Gurney, the unique play will be a dinner theatre production of Wine Country Theatre on Friday, Feb. 14, and runs through Feb. 16 at the Park Ballroom, 1232 Park St. in downtown Paso Robles.
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Wine Country Theatre will present the two-character play along with an outstanding dinner prepared by Andre, Master Chef of Paso Terra Restaurant. Guests can enjoy a three-course meal and a complimentary glass of wine or champagne. More wine and champagne will be available to purchase throughout the performance.
“Love Letters” was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama, and has been performed throughout the world.
“We are excited to bring something a little bit different to our stage,” says Laurie Zenobio, President of the Wine Country Theatre Board of Directors. “It is theatre at its most simple, yet highly moving and impactful. The story is told through letters, notes and cards exchanged over a lifetime between two people. The set is simple: only two chairs and desks, and the
actors, although highly rehearsed, will read the letters aloud. This creates an intimate dynamic between the characters and the audience.”
Performed by Casey Biggs and Cynthia Anthony, the play follows the relationship between a stuffy lawyer and a free-spirited woman. Both characters were born to wealth and position and are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through boarding school and college, their marriages, careers, a divorce, and even an affair. Through their correspondence they discuss their hopes and ambitions, as well as the dreams and disappointments that have passed between them throughout their separated lives.
According to one reviewer, “The most poignant element of the piece is the story between the lines, the words they cannot bring themselves to write.”
Biggs, who plays Andy, is also known as the Paso Robles Wine Man. He is a graduate of the Juilliard School in New York City. He has been a professional actor for the past 40 years. As an actor, director, writer, and producer his work has been seen throughout the US and in Europe. He was a member and lead actor of the famed Arena Stage Company for 10 years and early in his career he toured the country with John Housman’s The Acting Company. An award-winning director, he has staged over 30 productions from Shakespeare to Mamet. He has produced stage, film and television projects over the past 15 years. With Dina Mande, he collaborated on the award-winning “Paso Wine Man” series promoting the Central Coast wine industry. As an actor he has appeared in over 80 film and television productions with a highlight being five seasons as the leader of the Cardassian Empire in Star Trek “Deep Space Nine.”
Most recently he wrote and starred in “Heart of Paradise.” It was directed by Mande. His last two films have been, “Half Brother” and “Sweet Parents.”
Anthony, portraying the character of Melissa, is founder and Executive Director of Wine Country Theatre. She is an actress, director and Theatre Educator. Cynthia was most recently seen in “Over the River and Through the Woods,” and directed “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” both for Wine Country Theatre.
“Love Letters” is a fundraiser for Wine Country Theatre, to support their ongoing commitment to provide the community with professional caliber productions. Tickets for the dinner theatre events are $85, which includes a complimentary glass of wine or champagne. Tickets for the show-only matinee are $25. For menu options, tickets and more information, go to the website WineCountryTheatre.com.
