Love Letters: Carol Burnett replaces Mia Farrow

Over the weekend, a cast change took place in the new production of A.R. Gurney's Love Letters, directed by Gregory Mosher, which is currently playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, where it officially opened on 18 September 2014, following previews from 13 September, and booking through to 15 February 2015. Emmy Award winner and Tony nominee Carol Burnett took over the role of Melissa from Golden Globe winner Mia Farrow on Saturday 11 October. Two-time Tony Award and Golden Globe winner Brian Dennehy continues in the role of Andrew.

The remaining cast schedule for the production is as follows:

11 Oct - 8 Nov 2014: Brian Dennehy and Carol Burnett
9 Nov - 5 Dec 2014: Alan Alda and Candice Bergen
6 Dec - 9 Jan 2015: Stacy Keach and Diana Rigg
10 Jan - 15 Feb 2015: Martin Sheen and Anjelica Huston

Love Letters features an all-star rotating cast of Broadway and Screen veterans, bringing the two-hander to life, each in a different way. The production also features scenic design by John Lee Beatty, costumes by Jane Greenwood and lighting by Peter Kaczorowski, and is produced on Broadway by Nelle Nugent, Barbara Broccoli, Frederick Zollo, Olympus Theatricals, Colleen Camp and Kenneth Teaton.

The play centres on a pair of friends, rebellious Melissa Gardner and straight-arrow Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. The pair have exchanged notes, cards and letters with each other for over 50 years - from grade school, through summer vacations, to college, and well into adulthood. Throughout their lives they have discussed their dreams, hopes, failures, successes and difficulties. Once the letter are finished - the real question remains. Does the real love of their live exist a mere letter away?

Love Letters originally opened off-Broadway in March 1989 in a production which starred Kathleen Turner and John Rubinstein. The play changed its cast every week, and included performers such as Victor Garber, Julie Harris, Christopher Reeve and Christopher Walken. The show transferred to Broadway in October 1989 and featured further guest appearances from Lynn Redgrave and Stockard Channing.

Carol Burnett was nominated for a Tony Award in 1960 for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Princess Winnifred in 'Once Upon A Mattress', she was also nominated in 1996 for Best Actress in a Play for 'Moon Over Buffalo', in which she starred as Charlotte Hay. She received a special Tony Award in 1969. Other Broadway credits include 'Hollywood Arms' in 2002, 'Putting It Together' in 1999, and 'Fade Out - Fade In' in 1964'. She is perhaps best-known for her TV career on 'The Carol Burnett Show', which earned her a total of 5 Golden Globe and 3 Emmy Awards.

- by Tom Millward