Southampton Arts Center will collaborate with esteemed producer Josh Gladstone in presenting a staged reading of “Dear Elizabeth” by Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Sara Ruhl. The reading, scheduled for July 2, at 7 PM, will star the celebrated talents of Academy Award-winner Mercedes Ruehl, Emmy-nominee Harris Yulin, and Julia Motyka.
“Dear Elizabeth” explores the intricacies of the correspondence between eminent 20th-century poets Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell. Drawing on their expansive collection of letters, “Reading Words in Air: The Complete Correspondence Between Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell,” Ruhl’s play is a nuanced portrayal of their relationship, covering their first meeting, an abbreviated affair, and the various struggles they navigated in their personal lives.
“We are thrilled to have actors of such high caliber bringing this profound piece to life,” said SAC executive director, Christina Mossaides Strassfield. “Mercedes Ruehl, Harris Yulin, and Julia Motyka bring a depth of talent and sensitivity that will undoubtedly illuminate the subtleties of Bishop and Lowell’s relationship.”
“Dear Elizabeth” originally premiered at the Yale Repertory Theatre in New Haven, CT in November 2012 under the direction of Les Waters.
“I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to produce ‘Dear Elizabeth’ at Southampton Arts Center. It’s a remarkable play that captures the beauty and complexity of human connection through the eloquence of Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell’s correspondence,” said Josh Gladstone, the show’s producer. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to share this heartfelt journey with the audience. Together, we will embark on an exploration of love, art, and the power of words, creating an experience that will resonate long after the final curtain falls.”
Tickets for this one-of-a-kind staged reading begin at $35 for SAC Members and can be purchased through SAC’s website.