"Dear Jack, Dear Louise" - by Ken Ludwig - The Majestic Theater (West Springfield, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: Gregory Boover as “Jack” and Alexandra O’Halloran as “Louise” in Ken Ludwig's "DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" now playing at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA. through April 4, 2026. Photo Credit Kait Rankins)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“I know that this whole thing we’re doing is ridiculous. Obviously, we like each other, and I feel as though I’ve known you forever. But we’ve never even met each other."
- ("Jack") / Ken Ludwig
The Majestic Theater
Presents Ken Ludwig's
"DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE"
Written by Ken Ludwig
Producing Director / Stage Director Sue Dziura
Founding Producing Director Danny Eaton
Cast Includes: Gregory Boover* as “Jack,” Alexandra O’Halloran* as “Louise.”
Understudies: Aaron Mancaniello for “Jack,” Rachel Ballasy for “Louise.”
Additional Creative Team:
Production Manager - Marcus Kearns; Stage Manager - Michael Garcia*; Set Design - Matthew Whiton; Lighting Design - Daniel David Rist; Costume Design - Dawn McKay; Sound Design - Ryan Hickey; Technical Director - Alan Schneider; Assistant Technical Director - Chase Trumbull; Wardrobe Mistress - Christine Thompson; Props Supervisor - Dana Weintraub; Covid Compliance Officer - Carol Rucinski.
Performances:
February 26, 2026 through April 4, 2026
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
MAJESTIC THEATER, 131 Elm Street, West Springfield, MA. 01089
TICKETS:
For tickets and more information, contact the MAJESTIC THEATER box office by phone at # 413-747-7797 or visit www.majestictheater.com
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
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(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
The Majestic Theater of West Springfield delivers an amusing and profound play in the inviting comedy "DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE."
Expertly staged by Sue Dziura focusing on the play's refined blending of humor and emotion, "DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" wins its audience over with its timeless tale of love and the courage it takes to love someone both absent and far away.
Even with email, in today's world of "swipe left/swipe right" where the visual rules and background checks are practically mandatory, it is nearly unfathomable to recall an era where "snail mail" was the ONLY mail, and a person could literally "date" or have an extended relationship for years with someone they haven't met, seen nor have any idea as to their appearance.
Unfolding through letters exchanged between a young Army doctor, Jack (Gregory Boover), and nurse Louise (Alexandra O’Halloran) during World War II, "DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" is a 2019 story by Tony Award-winner Ken Ludwig that chronicles the true-life WW II courtship of his parents, U.S. Army Captain Jack Ludwig and aspiring actress Louise Rabiner.
(Photo: Gregory Boover as “Jack” and Alexandra O’Halloran as “Louise” in Ken Ludwig's "DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" now playing at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA. through April 4, 2026. Photo Credit Kait Rankins)
Now, first impressions might find comparisons to A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters” and rightly so – they are similar (and having directed that show twice, I can confirm the validity of that assessment).
However, if I have to be honest, I like Ludwig’s "DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" more.
“Love Letters” concerns correspondence between two miserable, egoistic people who have known each other since their childhood; while "DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" revolves around two people that are strangers to one another but are far more pleasant and less self-destructive personalities.
It would be months of letter writing before Jack receives a picture in the mail of what Louise looks like.
"DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" won the 2020 Helen Hayes/Charles MacArthur Award for Best New Play or Musical.
As splendidly recalled by Boover, Jack is a military doctor stationed on an isolated post in Oregon who, at the behest of his family, begins exchanging letters with New York City entertainer Louise, played by O’Halloran in an equally enjoyable performance, and the two begin a long-term courtship through their correspondence.
(Photo: Alexandra O’Halloran as “Louise” in Ken Ludwig's "DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" now playing at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA. through April 4, 2026. Photo Credit Kait Rankins)
The Majestic Theater's split set design is kept minimalist restricting Jack to one side of the stage and Louise to the opposite side, with the two actors never actually facing one another or talking directly to one another.
This allows us to observe as combined circumstance and separation alters the overall tone of the messages contained within these letters and the affection between the two adult “pen pals” deepens.
While there is a scrim along the back wall, there are no projected images to help indicate the 1940s West Coast/East Coast locations of Jack and Louise.
This may have been creatively intentional, either through the Ludwig stage directions or a choice in approach made by the Majestic Theater director.
Regardless, there is some impactful use of specialized lighting and sound, especially during Act Two, plus the absence of the above projected imagery does prompt members of the audience to use their imaginations a little more.
(Photo: Gregory Boover n Ken Ludwig's "DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" now playing at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA. through April 4, 2026. Photo Credit Kait Rankins)
Ultimately Jack and Louise begin to fall in love despite their vast physical distance from each other (which only widens later in the story) and their respective challenges faced during this war-torn era.
Exploring ideas of love, faith, courage and resilience, "DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" provides a tender interpretation of how, even faced with the most arduous of obstacles, relationships can still not only overcome those obstacles, but flourish.
Through their varied exchanges via letters and scenes, rendered empathetically by both O'Halloran and Boover, the play recalls the journey of Jack and Louise as they evolve from total strangers to forever lovers, bravely achieved in a inspired manner and in spite of a horrific time in the world’s history.
(Photo: Gregory Boover as “Jack” and Alexandra O’Halloran as “Louise” in Ken Ludwig's "DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" now playing at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, MA. through April 4, 2026. Photo Credit Kait Rankins)
"DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" is a touching, true story tenderly told and which continues at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield until April 4th, 2026.
Concluding the 2025-2026 theatre season at the Majestic Theater will be the Broadway musical juggernaut “COME FROM AWAY,” beginning May 31st, 2026.
For tickets and more information, contact the Majestic Theater box office by phone at # 413-747-7797 or visit www.majestictheater.com
BUY TICKETS
Approximately two hours with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
Ken Ludwig’s"DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" is a heartfelt and comical play that unfolds through the letters exchanged between a young Army doctor, Jack, and a nurse named Louise during World War II.
As their correspondence deepens, the two begin to fall in love despite the physical distance and the challenges of wartime life.
The play explores themes of love, hope, and resilience, offering a poignant look at how relationships can flourish even in the most uncertain times.
With a charming mix of humor and emotion, "DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE" captures the timeless power of connection and the courage it takes to love across miles.
ABOUT THE MAJESTIC THEATER
Locally-produced professional live theater since 1997. Before it was a live theater, local residents may remember THE MAJESTIC THEATER as a movie house. It has since been renovated and reimagined to bring live performances to the West Springfield area, giving local performance and technical artists the opportunity to thrive. Every season at THE MAJESTIC consists of five productions (including at least one musical) featuring local actors. In addition to the subscription season, the summer includes children's theater, concerts, plays, open mic nights, and improvisational comedy shows. Recently named the best place to see live theater in the Pioneer Valley in the Valley Advocate Readers' Poll, THE MAJESTIC THEATER continues to offer great theater thanks to the support and generosity of its 4200+ subscribers.
131 Elm Street
West Springfield, MA. 01089
# 413-747-7797
