Following this summer’s successful youth theatre production of Barbara Robinson’s popular The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the Thurmont Thespians have elected to mount their own fall play.

Beth Royer Watson and Spence Watson will bring this unique and imaginative theatre piece to the American Legion in Thurmont, November 4 and 5 for our community to enjoy the delights of live theatre in a small-town setting. The play is comprised of letters exchanged over a life time between two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share confidences. As the actors read the letters aloud, what is created is an evocative, touching, frequently funny, but always telling, pair of character studies in which what is implied is as revealing and meaningful as what is actually written down. The two individuals are very different in temperament and all of the frustration that implies comes through loud and strong in the letters.

The correspondence between Andrew Makepeace Ladd, III and Melissa Gardner, both of whom were born to wealth and position, begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years. Andy excels at Yale and Law School while Melissa manages to flunk out of a series of "good schools." While Andy is off at war, Melissa marries but her attachment to Andy remains strong and she continues to keep in touch as he marries, becomes a successful attorney, and eventually ends up in politics and is elected to the U. S. Senate. Melissa, on the other hand, finds her marriage in tatters, dabbles in art, and ends up drinking more than she should and ends up estranged from her children. They do manage to become entangled romantically, but it is really too late for both of them. This character study and stirring story is developed by our local award winning actors — a show you really don’t want to miss!

Both evenings will feature dessert theatre beginning at 7:15 p.m. with the curtain opening at 8:00 p.m. The cost for the evening is $12.00 and reservations may be made by calling 301-271-7613.

In a continuing effort to bring all the arts to Thurmont, both evenings will also feature photography exhibits by two excellent local photographers: William Riffle and John Urian.