Veteran actresses Marilu Henner (“Taxi”) and Brooke Adams (“Days of Heaven”) portray pen pals in the Off-Broadway production of “Pen Pals,” which is being performed at DR2 Theatre in New York.
“Pen Pals” was written by Michael Griffo and it was directed by SuzAnne Barabas. Every two weeks, there is a rotating cast of actresses for these roles so that no two shows are ever alike. Henner and Adams’ run will wrap on Sunday, February 15th..
This production is a celebration of the endearing power of friendship, longevity, and connection through handwritten letters over the span of nearly five decades.
Ever since 14 years old, Bernie and Mags shared every part of their lives together, which include their innermost secrets (first crushes, relationships, and the drama that came in their personal lives, and even medical scares).
In “Pen Pals,” Bernie (Marilu Henner) and Mags (Brooke Adams) live in two different countries (United States and England respectively), they haven’t met in the flesh yet, but they are best friends through their sincere and clandestine letters to one another.
Christian Schneider, fans and attendee, remarked, “What struck me most was how intimate the experience felt. It truly felt as if you were in the room with the two pen pals, living through every emotion alongside them. It was a very touching play.”
The Verdict
Overall, Marilu Henner and Brooke Adams were exquisite in this iteration of “Pen Pals.”
They were able to sustain the Big Apple audience’s attention for its entire 82-minute duration, and they were able to move theatergoers on an emotional and spiritual
Marilu Henner was sublime as Bernie in an acting master-class that ran the gamut… She was lively, witty, clever, hilarious, and heartbreaking, all in one. Henner works extremely well opposite a convincing Brooke Adams as Mags. With Adams as Mags, it felt like watching “Enchanted April” all over again, and she was our Dame Joan Plowright.
They each brought different nuances and mannerisms to their complex characters that prior actors hadn’t previously tried, and it worked well.
Once again, kudos to SuzAnne Barabas for her eloquent direction and to Michael Griffo for writing such a resonant and relatable play.
It is highly recommended that one sees Marilu Henner and Brooke Adams in the Off-Broadway play “Pen Pals.” Their acting performances (and execution) garnered two giant thumbs up. Bravo.
For more information on the Off-Broadway production “Pen Pals,” check out the official homepage.
