Vienna Theatre Company (VTC) presents "Dear Elizabeth"

Vienna Theatre Company and Vienna Dept of Parks and Recreation

present Dear Elizabeth

book by Sarah Ruhl

directed by Jessie Roberts

produced by Eric Storck

The play Dear Elizabeth is drawn from one of the greatest correspondences in literary history between two of the 20th Century’s most brilliant American poets, Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell. Playwright Sarah Ruhl adapts more than 400 published letters spanning decades, continents and political eras, tells the tale of an unconventional friendship and intimacy both platonic and romantic, and brings it all to life on the stage. This moving, innovative play starts in 1947, ends in 1977 and describes a love that resists easy definition.

VTC is currently rehearsing (via Zoom) for Dear Elizabeth, by Sarah Ruhl. The full length play will be staged and recorded at our venue, the Vienna Community Center, and presented virtually for your viewing pleasure over two weekends (March 26 - April 3). We feature two sets of casts who will alternate over six performances. Actors Tom Flatt and Heather Plank will portray respectively poets Robert Lowell and Elizabeth Bishop on the premiere weekend, March 26, 27, 28 for three performances. The second weekend, April 2 – 3 will feature actors Kevin Walker and Jocelyn Steiner as the characters Lowell and Bishop for three performances. (Note all times below). Actor Tom Flatt , who happened to have considerable familiarity with the famous 20th Century American poets before being cast in the production shares, “You don’t need to be familiar with the poetry of these two poets to enjoy the show. It’s a beautifully written piece about a lifelong friendship, full of wit and passion. Viewing it could hopefully inspire people to seek out these remarkable writers.”

Consider Director Jessie Robert’s insight as to why this particular play, Dear Elizabeth, can especially resonate at this particular time with theatre goers: “During this time when we must be physically separated from those we love and it’s very difficult to create new friendships and relationships, the letters of Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell should give us hope. They did not have the Internet, email, Facebook, or Twitter. Yet they managed to forge a 30-year friendship that was deep and meaningful to each of them by writing letters to each other. Come watch our production of Dear Elizabeth by Sarah Ruhl then write a letter to someone you love – using email is OK!”

TWO CASTS

Weekend #1 Heather Plank as ELIZABETH BISHOP Tom Flatt as ROBERT LOWELL

7:30pm: Friday and Saturday – March 26, 27; 2pm: Sunday - March 28

Weekend #2 Jocelyn Steiner as ELIZABETH BISHOP Kevin Walker as ROBERT LOWELL

730pm: Friday and Saturday – April 2, 3; 2pm: Saturday – April 3

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Virtual Ticket Cost: $15.00

Purchase online now at https://vtc.booktix.com

For more info visit www.viennatheatrecompany.org or

Email: vtcshows@yahoo.com

A Play in Letters from Elizabeth Bishop to Robert Lowell and Back Again