Susan Casper is no stranger to being in front of a camera. But being on stage before a live audience, well, that’s a whole different ball game.
“I have been a television broadcaster for almost 25 years, but to be hitting the stage for my acting debut is truly exhilarating,” she said. “I believe in living a bucket list life, so when Glenn surprised me with this wonderful opportunity to perform this acclaimed two-character play, I could not resist.”
Casper, co-host of ABC15’s longt ime morning show “Sonoran Living,” will be teaming up with Sedona resident Glenn Scarpelli — best known for his role on “One Day at a Time” — for “Love Letters” at Mary D. Fisher Theatre. The two-person play will be performed on Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. The performance is being presented by, and fundraising for, the Sedona International Film Festival. “Love Letters” was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for drama 30 years ago. The play centers on two characters, Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. They sit side by side at tables and read notes, cards and love letters in which over nearly 50 years they discussed their feelings and ambitions, dreams and defeats.
“We have been loving our rehearsal time together,” Scarpelli said. “It’s so wonderful to feel the characters develop in our hearts and minds. We have really become these people. That’s what makes it so exciting. And I must say that I am so proud of Susan and her acting debut. Her natural talent is amazing and I know audiences will see a very different Susan Casper through this project. I’m glad I played my role in helping make this dream of hers come to fruition.”
As for why he signed on to do the play, Scarpelli said, “Well, first of all both Susan and I are hopeless romantics and we adore this play. There’s a reason it was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for drama. It’s also written for actors such as us that have many other projects and gigs going on in our lives because there is little to no memorizing of lines.”
Scarpelli and Casper work together every Friday morning on “Sonoran Living” when Scarpelli comes on the show to produce and co-host “Discover Sedona NOW” segments.
“Susan and I have become fast and close friends,” he said. “One day we were sitting together sharing our hopes, dreams and passion projects and Susan mentioned that she always wanted to act. We are performing it on Susan’s birthday weekend so I guess you could say it’s somewhat of a birthday present to her.”
To that, Casper added, “As soon as I saw the poster I got butterflies in my stomach. This truly is an incredible moment for me. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to have my acting debut in such a meaningful and beautiful play.” This is not the first time “Love Letters” has been performed at the theater. When it opened it hosted the play starring Joyce DeWitt, of “Three’s Company” fame, and 1960s icon Tab Hunter.
“We hope the audience is emotionally swept away in this intimate, witty, heartfelt story of Andy Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner,” Casper said. “Like Glenn and I, these two characters share a beautiful spiritual connection.”
Tickets for this production are $25 each. For info and ticket purchase visit www.SedonaFilmFestival.org or call 282-1177.
Ron Eland can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 122 or by email at reland@larsonnewspapers.com
