Like many dual-career couples, Scott Bryce and Jodi Stevens lead hectic lives. Their professions — both are actors — complicate things further. They usually work different schedules, in different theaters. When one is rehearsing, the other may be in mid-production. When one is opening a show, the other is closing one down.
But for the next 3 weeks, they’ll work together. And they’ll do it right here in Westport.
The show is “Love Letters” — A.R. Gurney’s evocative, touching yet humorous play about a 50-year love affair carried on primarily through letters.
It debuts at MTC MainStage in Colonial Green this Friday (Feb. 4), and runs weekends through Feb. 20.
Scott Bryce and Jodi Stevens
Working together — on a play about love, right in their back yard — was serendipitous, says Bryce, a Staples Players (Class of 1975) alum who earned 2 Emmy nominations for “As the World Turns.”
The couple had been onstage only in “On Golden Pond” (Bryce’s mother Dorothy, a noted actress, was in the show too). But when Stevens’ most recent show — she played the female lead in “Dietrich and Chevalier: The Musical” — was closing, they talked casually about the possibility.
A couple of days later, at a Christmas party, Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage co-founder Kevin Connors mentioned “Love Letters.”
The show is appealing on many levels — including its setting in this area. There are references to local institutions, like I-95 and Silver Hill.
Bryce also welcomes the chance to perform in the small MTC theater. “It’s such an intimate space,” he says. “There’s not a bad seat in the house. It’s really sweet.”
“It’s a beautiful script,” Bryce adds. “What better way to spend Valentine’s month than on stage with my wife?”
And, as Jodi says: “There’s no commute!”
(“Love Letters will be performed Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., with matinees Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m., at MTC MainStage Theatre on the lower level of Colonial Green. For tickets, click here or call 203-454-3883. Each performance is followed by a wine and cheese receptions, where the audience can meet the actors and production team.)
Dan: thanks for the heads-up on this one. I wasted no time & picked up tickets to attend this Saturday’s matinee performance with spouse and friends…we’re looking forward to it 🙂
For those who don’t know: besides being talented and accomplished, both Scott and Jodi are wonderful people: funny, down to earth and unpretentious. I definitely recommending checking out the show !
We have seen many shows at MTC – it is a very intimate venue that hosts great theatre. This is going to be a very special run featuring two wonderful actors.
Never been there… hope it’s great!
Terrific play. If they preserved it, there is a great production of it on 3/4″ in the back of Staple TV studio circa 1991 with Karl Decker and Judy Luster in the roles.
Saw the matinee today… fabulous performance by both actors. It’s an “up front and personal” theater [2 rows in a semicircle around the stage]. If you have time, go see it. It is really great.
Beautiful love story…beautifully acted. Kudos to Jodi & Scott Bryce for a moving and very personal performance. There’s something in it for everyone — who’s ever been in love. See it.
(PS. Ticket price is very reasonable !)