Celebrating 50 years of service to the community, the domestic violence service provider YWCA Sonoma County is presenting for one show only, a fundraising performance of Love Letters, the acclaimed play by A.R. Gurney.

The production will reprise the performances of Madeleine Keegan O’Connell, CEO of YWCA Sonoma County, as Melissa Gardner, and former Press Democrat columnist Chris Smith as Andrew Makepeace Ladd III. The longtime Sonoma County friends first appeared in Love Letters in 2016.

Ticket sales for the play will raise much-needed funds for YWCA’s vital and singular domestic violence programs serving local families who find themselves in danger in their homes – the place we should all feel safest. For 50 years, YWCA Sonoma County has been the county’s answer to the need by families for refuge, advocacy, and support with domestic violence.

Love Letters is based on the lifelong, intimate correspondence of these two characters whose entire story unfolds through written words exchanged in the form of letters. In a relationship spanning 50 years, their letters contain their hopes and ambitions, dreams and disappointments, victories and defeats throughout their separate lives.

After debuting in 1988, Love Letters quickly moved to both Off-Broadway and Broadway productions. Over the years, the roles were performed by notable actors such as Brian Dennehy and Mia Farrow, Carol Burnett with Dennehy, and Alan Alda and Candice Bergen, as well as Angelica Huston and Stacy Keach, Diana Rigg and Martin Sheen.

According to Madeleine Keegan O’Connell, “In addition to the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter, people deserve respect, dignity and safety to conduct productive lives and care for their children. YWCA is honored to be a leader in the efforts to address needs so many people take for granted.” 

Chris Smith, who retired from the PD in 2021 but still contributes to the newspaper on occasion, said, “Bringing the power of the written word and the lost art of letter writing together with support for YWCA Sonoma County is a winning combination for me.”