In a first for the Tamaqua Area Community Theatre, one play will be presented with three separate casts.

That play is "Love Letters," which centers on the decades-long friendship of two people. Written by A.R. Gurney, the play revolves around childhood friends Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner and the more than 50 years of written correspondence between the two.A simple play, the two characters sit at tables and read through those letters, which really aren't simple at all. Even though the two are "just" friends, the letters reveal a romantic link despite the many miles between them.Director Zane Bachert, who describes himself as a "laid-back director," says that "Love Letters" was the very first production performed on the Tamaqua Community Art Center's stage. It's also a first for two of the actors, Donna Evans and Dave Zimmerman, as it's their first time on that stage as well."It's very interesting to see the three different performance," notes Bachert. "Each cast has a different perspective and that changes the dynamics. They are all different."This year is the fifth season for performances on the art center stage.It's also the second attempt at providing dinner and a show. It's a BYOB event, with dinner provided by Capriotti's Catering of McAdoo."It's a great date night event," says Bachert, "just in time for Valentine's Day."There are also tickets available for those who only want to see the show.Evans and Zimmerman will take the spotlight for show on Feb. 9. Other dates and cast members are: Feb. 10, Kandy Kraemer and Jim Hull; Feb. 11, Aimee Hull and George Hegedus IV, who are a couple in real life. All shows begin at 7 p.m.The theater group has an ambitious schedule, averaging five or six productions a year."The core cast and crew involves about a dozen people who participate in every event," says Bachert, who alternates directing duties with Jonathan Blackwell Rodgers.The next production will be "Oz!"The art center is located at 125 Pine St., Tamaqua.For ticket information, call 570-668-1192 or visit

www.TamaquaArts.org.