Ken Ludwig may well be the most performed playwright of his generation. He has had six productions on Broadway and eight in London’s West End. His 34 plays and musicals are staged around the world and throughout the United States every night of the year. They have been produced in over 20 languages in more than 30 countries, and many have become standards of the American repertoire.
His first play, Lend Me a Tenor, won two Tony Awards and was called “one of the classic comedies of the 20th century” by The Washington Post. Crazy For You was on Broadway for five years, on the West End for three, and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical. It has been revived twice in London, most recently in 2023. His play Death on the Nile is currently on a 26-city tour of the UK and Ireland.
In addition, he has won the Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions to the American Theatre, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Helen Hayes Awards, the Charles MacArthur Award, and the Edgar Award for Best Mystery of the Year. He was also nominated for an Emmy Award for writing the 1990 Kennedy Center Honors. His other plays include Moon Over Buffalo; Leading Ladies; Baskerville; Sherwood; Twentieth Century; Dear Jack, Dear Louise; A Fox on the Fairway; A Comedy of Tenors; The Game’s Afoot and Shakespeare in Hollywood. They have starred, among others, Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Tony Shaloub, Joan Collins, Kristen Bell and Henry Goodman.
His book How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare, published by Penguin Random House, has been a bestseller and has recently been released in a new, expanded edition. It won the Falstaff Award for Best Shakespeare Book of the Year. He studied music with Leonard Bernstein at Harvard University. His essays on theatre are published in the Yale Review, and he gives the Annual Ken Ludwig Playwriting Scholarship at the American College Theatre Festival. He holds a lifetime appointment to the Council of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
His first opera, Tenor Overboard, opened at the Glimmerglass Festival in 2022. His most recent world premieres were Moriarty and Lady Molly of Scotland Yard, and his newest plays and musicals include Pride and Prejudice Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley; Adults at Play; Beginner’s Luck with a score by George and Ira Gershwin; and Easter Parade with a score by Irving Berlin.
He has been commissioned to write plays by the Agatha Christie Estate, the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Old Globe Theatre, and the Bristol Old Vic.
For more information visit www.KenLudwig.com.
When I was first approached and asked if I would like to direct Dear Jack, Dear Louise , my initial response was “Can I read it first and get back to you ?” I was not unfamiliar with many of Ken Ludwig’s works having acted in two of them here at the Belmont and seen other titles and productions produced at other theaters. Somehow “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” had escaped my orbit. Admittedly I have never attempted to direct a romantic comedy as I normally prefer to direct serious dramas or mystery/thrillers. But after reading the opening letters in the play, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about these two characters. I also blush to admit I might know a little more and have a greater interest in European history than in American history. Being born after World War II, I did not personally know anyone who had been involved in that conflict. A romance that was prompted by two fathers on their children who were total strangers with the war looming in the background sparked my interest.
I find the play to be funny, hopeful, and very moving as, through the process of letter writing an Army doctor from Medford Oregon and an aspiring actress/dancer hoping for her big break on Broadway develop a friendship that blossoms into deep respect and love. In this age of email and text messaging , I look with admiration on how the beauty of the written word over a number of years and a multitude of personal letters can forge the foundation of a lasting love especially during a period of separation and warfare.
If I may plagiarize from Charles Dickens, for Jack and Louise it was both “ the best of times, and the worst of times….” It was a privilege for me to direct these two fine actors and to explore with them Mr. Ludwig’s valentine to his parents. Please enjoy the show.
Act I
From New York City to Medford, Oregon, as World War II unfolds, 1942–1943.
10 Minute Intermission
Act II
In wartime America and abroad, as the war nears its end, 1944–1945.
Tom Gunning (Jack) is honored to make his return to the stage at the Belmont Theatre after an 11-year hiatus. Tom was last seen on the Belmont main stage as Sonny in Grease. Other favorite roles include Ren McCormack in Footloose, Rooster in Annie, and Prince Dauntless in Once Upon a Mattress. He is currently serving with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in Middletown, PA.
Faith Miller (Louise) is a recent graduate of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, receiving her Bachelors in Theatre, and is so thrilled to be performing in her first production both post-grad and with The Belmont! Faith also spent some time abroad studying theatre at the Theatre Academy London. Some of her favorite past credits include: Maria in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Judge Brack in Hedda Gabler, Alice in The Guy Who Didn’t Musicals, and Sandy in Grease. She is a massive lover of film and is the writer and director of the short film (1) New Voicemail. She’d like to thank her family and friends for unconditionally supporting her in dream of pursuing acting.”
Paul R. Lajkowicz -is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College with a Master’s Degree in Drama from New York University. As a retired English and Theater Arts teacher, he has been a director, choreographer, or set designer for many plays and musicals over the past 40 years. Directing experience and set design at the Belmont Theatre include Veronica’s Room and The Haunting of Hill House. After a lengthy hiatus from acting, he returned to the Belmont stage as Leo Barrett in Ken Ludwig’s Postmortem. Favorite other roles include Sam Nash in Plaza Suite, Richard Maynard in Ken Ludwig’s Moon Over Buffalo, Charles Condomine in Blithe Spirit, and most recently Dr. Thaddeus Sargeant in Bloody Jack. Having acted in Mr. Ludwig’s plays, he takes great pleasure in directing, Dear Jack, Dear Louise.
The Belmont Theatre extends its sincere appreciation to York artist Rob Evans for generously gifting an original painting to playwright Ken Ludwig in honor of his visit. Learn more about Rob Evans at his website: https://www.robevansart.org/
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