The Utah Shakespeare Festival added a new show to their 2025 season. The festival surprised audiences last summer when their announcement of shows for their 2025 season didn’t include any shows in the intimate Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre. Now, the play “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” by Ken Ludwig will be taking place in that space.
Set to be directed by New York-based director Michael Perlman, “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” is based on the real courtship of Ludwig’s parents during World War II.
The play won the Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play at the 2020 Helen Hayes Awards, and is now making its way to the USF stages. Festival administration and director Perlman look forward to bringing the show to life.
“[It is a] poignant reminder that the most important things in our lives are our relationships, and the ways in which those connections help us move through even the most challenging obstacles,” said Perlman.
Though there were not any shows slated to take place in the Anes for the upcoming season, Artistic Director John DiAntonio felt as though the intimacy of the theatre was essential to the “festival experience.”
“‘Dear Jack, Dear Louise’ couldn’t be a better fit for our 2025 lineup with its beautiful heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat storytelling,” said DiAntonio. “I can’t wait for audiences to fall in love with this play.”
“Dear Jack, Dear Louise” will preview on July 11 and open on July 12 for an almost three-month run, closing Oct. 4. Patrons who have donated to the festival can purchase tickets starting today by calling the ticket office, with tickets being released online and to all other patrons Feb. 17.
Author: Tessa Cheshire
Photos courtesy of C. Stanley Photography
Editor: Anna Mower
arts@suunews.net
