LOVE LETTERS Features Two Casts at Street Theatre, 2/1 & 2

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Street Theatre Company opens its 2013 season with two special performances of Love Letters. Love Letters by A. R. Gurney was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play is a unique and imagiNative Theatre piece that is comprised of letters exchanged over a lifetime between two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share confidences. Evocative, touching, frequently funny, as the actors read the letters aloud, they chronicle over nearly 50 years of hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats that have passed between them throughout their separated lives.

Today's February 1st show features endearing local actors, Layne Sasser and Ken Jackson. Between the two actors, they have over 60 years of stage experience. Jackson notably played the title role in Tuesdays with Morrie for STC, and recently playEd Thomas Edison in Camping with Henry and Tom, which earned him a Best Supporting Actor award. He is also a professional artist. Sasser has won 16 acting awards, including the First Night Honors in 2011 and a First Night Acting award in 1994. She appeared in Toby Keith's "Trailerhood" as well as numerous commercials, print ads, and films, including "Two Weeks" with Sally Field and "Changing Hearts", with Tom Skerritt, Faye Dunaway, and Lauren Holly.

STC is also incredibly excited to announce that the February 2nd performance will feature Ruby Amanfu and Francis Rodino. Ruby recently appeared on NBC's "The Sing Off" and is best known for being one half of the duo, Sam & Ruby. She toured the country extensively in 2012 with Jack White in support of his debut solo album, Blunderbuss, including performances on SNL, Conan and Austin City Limits. She has had songs cut by such artists as Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini and co-wrote the song "Heaven's My Home" with Katie Herzig, which was nominated for a 2007 Grammy award for Best Country Performance. Amanfu released an EP in 2012 titled "The Simple Sessions" and is currently recording her first full length effort in a decade to be released in 2013.

Emerging from Europe and the US, countless live performances have solidifiEd Francis' reputation as a solid live act, holding a deep connection with fans and followers from around the world. Live performances have carriEd Francis's live band throughout Europe, with key performances headlining the Paradiso, Amsterdam, London's Scala and IndigO2, and Netherland's Concert at Sea Festival. Francis is currently based in Nashville, TN, working on songwriting collaborations and new material for his follow up album.

This production is at STC for two nights only. Performances are tonight and Saturday, February 1st and 2nd at 8:00 p.m. Seating for this intimate show is cabaret style, and tickets are $30 all seats. Tickets can be purchased online at www.streettheatrecompany.org. Performances are at Street Theatre, 1933 Elm Hill Pike, just off the Briley Parkway. For more information, call 615-554-7414.

Street Theatre Company is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to fostering professional, affordable and accessible theatre, music and arts education in Nashville. Founded in 2004, the organization produces high quality performances and educational workshops, and provides artistic opportunities for young people. For more information, visit www.streettheatrecompany.org.

Pictured: Francis Rodino

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