SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED:
PEN PALS GETS AN ENCORE RUN

Casting has been revealed for Michael Griffo’s play Pen Pals, which is headed back Off-Broadway at DR2 Theatre with a rotating cast of actors beginning August 15, 2025. Stage and Cinema‘s rave review for the original production is republished below. See you at the theater!

Pen Pals
DR2 Theatre, 103 East 15th Street, off Union Square
Nancy McKeon and Gail Winar (Aug 15-31)
Michelle Clunie and Megan Follows: (Sep 3-14)
Sharna Burgess and Paige Davis (Sep 17-28)
Kathleen Chalfant and Ellen McLaughlin Oct 1-12)
Kate Burton and Pauletta Washington (Oct 15-26)
Catherine Curtin and Marcia Cross (Oct 29-Nov 9)
Sharon Lawrence and Maureen McCormick (Nov 12-23)
still to be announced (Nov 12-23)
Emily Skinner and Donna Lynne Champlin (Dec 10-21)
for tickets, visit Pen Pals Play

A letter is a blessing, a great and all-too-rare privilege that can turn a private moment into an exalted experience.
– Alexandra Stoddard

The holidays have faded into memory, and the bitter chill of winter days have settled in. But fear not — when the frost bites, the theatre offers warmth, and somewhere out there, a play is ready to reignite that holiday yule-log glow. One such gem is Pen Pals, Michael Griffo’s touching two-character drama, inspired by a real-life correspondence. Currently playing at Theatre at St. Clement’s, this play offers a heartwarming reminder that the written word can bridge continents and decades.

Sharon Lawrence

The premise is simple yet profoundly engaging: In 1955, Bernadette (aka Bernie), a spirited 14-year-old from New Jersey, and Margaret (aka Mags), a reserved English girl, are paired through a Pen Pal program organized by their schools. Over the next fifty years, through their letters, they forge an extraordinary emotional connection that transcends the limits of time and space. To say more would spoil the delicate unraveling of their story – a journey best experienced firsthand.

Catherine Curtin

The production features a rotating cast, and I had the privilege of witnessing the remarkable Catherine Curtin as Bernie and the equally captivating Sharon Lawrence as Mags. Curtin dives headfirst into the more difficult and impassioned role of Bernie, while Lawrence exudes quiet strength as Mags. Together, they navigate a challenging setup – portraying a lifetime of experiences while seated and reading letters – effortlessly holding the audience in rapt attention for 80 spellbinding minutes.

Catherine Curtin and Sharon Lawrence

If this format brings to mind A. R. Gurney’s Love Letters, you’re not wrong. Like Gurney’s Pulitzer-nominated masterpiece, Pen Pals relies on minimalist staging and the power of letters to reveal a rich tapestry of life and connection. Curtin and Lawrence, two truly gifted actresses, immediately strike a captivating contrast: Bernie, the exuberant Jersey girl bursting with life, and Mags, the composed and thoughtful Brit. Their chemistry is electric, their short monologue missives brimming with humor, tenderness, and raw honesty.

Sharon Lawrence

The girls share almost every aspect of their lives, trivial, intimate, problematic, and painful, they tell each other things they wouldn’t dare tell another soul. The letters they exchange become a lifeline, a mirror, and a sanctuary. They share secrets too fragile to utter aloud, navigate life’s upheavals, and wrestle with the inevitable changes that come with age and circumstance. With slowly changing voice tonalities and movements, they evolve – from giddy teenagers to very different seasoned women – becoming confidantes, advisors, and, ultimately, almost sisters. Despite the physical distance between them, writing allows for self-reflection and greater emotional clarity, even as differences create friction. Their bond is tested but never broken, making their journey a deeply resonant one.

Under SuzAnne Barabas’s direction, the production embraces simplicity, allowing the performances to take center stage. Jessica Parks’ understated scenic design, Jill Nagle’s evocative lighting, David C. Woolard’s costumes, and Nicholas Simone’s subtle soundscape provide a graceful backdrop for the actors to shine. They elevate the straightforward text and static setup with nuanced performances, gradually shifting their tones and movements to embody their transformation. While the play is charming overall, it’s their performances that make it unforgettable and worth seeing.

photos of Catherine Curtin and Sharon Lawrence by Russ Rowland