13 Mar Thespians reunite in Aspen for two shows only of ‘Pen Pals’
In an age of instant replies, Michael Griffo’s new play, “Pen Pals,” shows that connection can still be found in an envelope.
Theatre Aspen presents the show at 6:30 p.m. March 20 and 4:30 p.m. March 21 at the Paepcke Auditorium, starring Kate Burton and Patricia Kalember.
The play is written by award-winning New Jersey-based Playwright Griffo and directed by New York Theater Director Hannah Ryan. The 90-minute story follows two women whose friendship spans five decades, despite living on either side of the Atlantic (the United States and the United Kingdom). Since their teens, they have traded letters filled with secrets and everyday ups and downs, and though they’ve never met, they remain best friends.
The two leads in the play — Kalember plays “Bernie” and Burton plays “Mags” — have also known each other for many years in real life.
“Patricia Kalember and I have known each other for our entire careers onstage and off, and Jed Bernstein has been a dear family friend for many years,” Burton said.
Theatre Aspen Producing Director Jed Bernstein added, “It tells the touching story of just such a relationship spread over a lifetime.”
According to Kalember, the play has been done before with multiple casts because it resonates with so many people.
“So much of what we go through is in this play. Of course, it’s tied in the ribbon of pen pals,” she said. “Truly, everybody faces some sort of crisis or sickness or the death of a child. It’s all very identifiable. I used to tell my kids all the time: Nobody goes through life unscathed.”
She is an Outer Critics Circle Broadway nominee and also known for television roles in “Sisters” and “thirtysomething,” and made guest appearances in shows like, “Orange is the New Black,” “Gossip Girl” and “Madame Secretary.”
Welsh-American Burton is known both as a distinguished stage performer and a three-time Tony Award nominee for “Hedda Gabler,” “The Elephant Man” and “The Constant Wife.” She’s one of the few actors to receive two Tony nominations in one year.
She’s also got ties to Aspen.
“I first visited Aspen in 1970 and learned how to ski on Buttermilk Mountain,” Burton said. “I have returned many times since and am always thrilled to ski on all the mountains, and I’m always sure to visit Carl’s Pharmacy, which was there in 1970.”
She’s also known for her TV roles — earning three Primetime Emmy nominations for her television roles as “Sally Langston” on “Scandal” and “Ellis Grey” in “Grey’s Anatomy.”
She reflected on working with Eric Dane, who recently died of ALS.
“Eric Dane and I were two of the early cast members on ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’” she said. “His loss is hugely profound for me and the entire cast and crew. Bless his amazing courage, and our prayers go out to his wife, Rebecca Gayheart, and his family.”
She is also a professor of theatre practice at the University of Southern California’s School of Dramatic Art.
Online sales will end at 5 p.m. on the day of performance, but tickets may be still available for purchase at the door. For tickets and more information, visit theatreaspen.org/penpals.