-Courtesy of Perpetual Motion PR
This Valentine’s Day, Quintessence Theatre is celebrating love in all of its messy glory with a performance starring award-winning television, film and stage actor David Morse* and his wife, Susan Wheeler. The couple is performing A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters, for a one-night only benefit in support of the Campaign for Quintessence at the Sedgwick. Love Letters is a tender, romantic comedy, where two childhood friends share a series of love letters over 50 years of life, only realizing in the end the relationship they shared. A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it was written and structured for actors to arrive at the theater without memorizing lines in advance and spontaneously become ‘Melissa Gardner’ and ‘Andrew Makepeace Ladd III’ – a couple who have known and loved each other for nearly all their lives, married other people, but share their friendship, challenges, wins, and losses through that most precious form of lost communication – words on paper.
“Quintessence Theatre is an important part of the community and the Philadelphia theatre scene. We’re happy to support them as they take their next big step as a vital regional theater, “ said the couple. Morse and Wheeler also make their home in Northwest Philadelphia.
“What better way to share Valentine’s Day with your Valentine than by reading the love letters of others. Or even better, having them read to you by two great actors. It is an honor to celebrate Valentine’s Day with David Morse and Susan Wheeler, and a privilege to watch them take on A.R. Gurney’s beloved and classic American romance,” said Alex Burns, Producing Artistic Director. “We are grateful to them for understanding the importance of regional theatre, and for joining us in raising support and awareness as we acquire and renovate the historic Sedgwick Theater.”
All tickets include a champagne, specialty cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception starting at 7PM, with mingling and conversation. The performance follows at 8PM. There will be brief comments from the stage after the curtain call, with the lobby open for post-show chats and photos. Everyone will leave with a custom gift of Valentine’s Day chocolate (of course!) from Mt. Airy’s own High Point Espresso and Pastry Shop.
Ticket prices vary. There are six exclusive Tables for Two with intimate club-style seating placed in front of the stage that include a personal bottle of champagne, at $1000 per table (seats two). Premium Center seats in the first four rows of the theatre are $500 per person. Premium seating to the left, right, and rear of Premium Center are $250 per person. House left and right General Admission seating is $150 per person. Seating is limited. All proceeds benefit the Campaign for Quintessence at the Sedgwick. Tickets are available at QTGREP.ORG, or by calling the Box Office at 215-987-4450.
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