Letters To The End of The World: A Journey of Growth and Hope

Letters To The End Of The World could easily have been a tired cliché of a show, just wading into a mess “do-good”ness. I am thrilled to say it is not that at all. Letters is a wonderfully satisfying piece of theater. The simple staging and straightforward story pull you into the play before you realize it. The characters are well written, amazingly acted and full of the same frustrations and longing that inhabit all of us before we get old, bitter and witty. You ache for them as you ache for your younger self.
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The product of writer / director Anton Dudley, a simple plot summary doesn’t take into account much of the play’s emotions. Letters concerns the journey of a delicate young man named Todd, the privileged but not spoiled son of New Yorkers. He is still young enough to yearn to do “global good”, and frustrated he doesn’t know how to proceed. Todd finds articles by a teacher in Africa, a woman named Agnatha, with whom he starts a correspondence. Ultimately, their letters multiple an ache he already feels to do “more” and so it is no surprise that in the second act he travels to Africa to help at the school.
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What is a surprise is the life that occurs there, not overwrought dramatic shenanigans, just the day to day lives that Todd has to deal with. It is simple premise, done plainly and acted with touching gentleness.
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Charles Socarides illuminates Todd as an idealistic young who thinks of himself as an old soul and desperately wants to be useful. Todd personifies the story of youthful frustration – full of hope and idealism but without the experience to turn desire into deeds. Mr. Socarides’ actions, reactions, fears and wonderment anchor a wild mix of characters into a believable whole. Mr. Socarides is able to pull off some edge walking emotions. He shows a deep understanding of how a desire to do “something” can be a cover for not living the life in front of him. His character struggles between his ethereal desire to “help” and his base need to be loved. It is a common story, but a powerful one none the less.
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Shannon Burkett plays the American teacher in Africa and her sister, Tess, in New York. As Agnatha she is convincing and realistic, but the writing lets her down as Tess. It would have been simpler to use another actress altogether. As Agnatha, Ms. Burkett brings an honesty to the person that seems just a little too good.
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Tyrone Mitchell Henderson and Francesca Choy-Kee play the teachers in the African school. They bring both warmth and restraint to well written roles, and they provide glimpse into a life that is foreign to both Todd and the audience. Their performances are key to bringing Zambia to life for the audience. Not in a tourist, or observer sense, but Zambia as reality for them. They pull off this difficult task.
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Finally Peter O’Conner plays Bryan, Todd’s quasi-boyfriend. Bryan has to understand his own journey with regards to Todd. The script and Mr. O’Conner give just enough hints to allow the audience to devise their own insights into this relationship, without cheating the story.
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Credit has to go to Anton Dudley, who both wrote a beautiful story and manages to pull its delicacy out of these great actors. The story juggles at least three stories excellently, while never losing focus on the human relationships that lie at the heart of drama. There is space surrounded on three sides by the audience and Mr. Dudley uses this space very well as a director. He brings the actors close to the audience without forcing the action.
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The “At Hand Theatre Company” has mission to produce original work using sustainable means, and so there is very little in the way of sets. The sense of place is never lost, and credit there goes to the actors, director and beautiful Lighting Design by Ryan Bauer. With a bench and a painted wall, the audience is transported between New York and Zambia effortlessly.
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Letters To The End Of The World explores stories that are familiar. The joy in this show is the unique manner that the audience is presented these stories through the eyes of people with foibles, hope and love.
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Letters to the End of the World
Studio Theatre at Theatre Row, April 29 – May 16
Cast list: Shannon Burkett, Francesca Choy-Kee, Tyrone Mitchell Henderson, Peter O’Connor, Chalres Socarides
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Rating: SEE IT
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What works: The emotional growth journey. Charles Socarides performance
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What doesn't work: Tess – the sister
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What you get to brag about to your friends: This is a show you will want to share with a friend, go out afterwards and talk about your youth and what you always wanted to do.
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