Emmy-nominated actress Paige Davis (TLC’s “Trading Spaces”) and Australian ballroom dancer Sharna Burgess (“Dancing with the Stars”) play pen pals in the new Off-Broadway show of the same name, which is being performed at DR2 Theatre in Manhattan.
“Pen Pals,” directed by SuzAnne Barabas and written by Michael Griffo, features a rotating cast of actresses, and it celebrates the enduring power of friendship through handwritten letters exchanged over 50 years.
Inspired by a true story, “Pen Pals” invites audiences into the lives of Bernie (Paige Davis) and Mags (Sharna Burgess) — two women whose bond, forged in adolescence, endures for decades despite never meeting in person or even talking on the telephone.
In this play, Bernie and Mags live in two different countries (United States and England respectively), and while they haven’t met in person, they are best friends through their intimate and sincere letters to one another.
Ever since their teenage years, they’ve shared every part of their lives together, which include their innermost secrets (first crushes, relationships, family, offspring, relatives, classmates, and the drama that came in their personal lives, and even medical scares).
The Verdict
Overall, Paige Davis and Sharna Burgess were superb in the Off-Broadway show “Pen Pals” at DR2 Theatre.
This is a raw and unflinching story about friendship, connection, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between friends. It was witty, clever, heartfelt, and compelling.
Paige Davis was sassy, hilarious and effervescent as Bernie, and her back and forth banter with Sharna Burgess the entire time was hysterical. Davis was also a force of nature in the emotional moments, and her delivery and execution were spot on.
Sharna Burgess was equally wonderful as Mags. She had the entire script memorized to the tee, and in several of Mags’ melancholic moments, she was able to break the audience’s hearts only to slowly mend it back.
With Burgess as Mags, the viewer could recall Kate Hudson meets Annabelle Wallis (“Peaky Blinders”), and that ought to be taken as a compliment.
At times, both actresses made the audience forget they were watching a play, and they made them feel as if they were experiencing real life with them.
Prepare to be blown away by their exceptional and vibrant performances (their run finishes on Sunday, September 28th). Paige Davis and Sharna Burgess garnered an A rating. Bravo.
For more information on the Off-Broadway play “Pen Pals,” check out the official homepage.
Read More: Interviews with Paige Davis and Sharna Burgess about “Pen Pals.”
