Ryan Canavan and Dayna Palya in "Dear Jack, Dear Louise" by Kenneth Ludwig at Chenango River Theatre, August 29th-September 14. (Submitted photo)

GREENE - When a war-time correspondence evolves awkwardly into a long-distance romance, the exchange of letters between Jack, an army doctor stationed in Oregon, and Louise, an aspiring dancer in New York, reveals more than their deepening affections. Their correspondence exposes the broader struggles of two young people whose lives have been disrupted by the horrors of a world war, and the all-too-human struggles to believe in a future together when every letter reveals the forces pulling them apart. This exquisite romance is a heartwarming tribute to the power of a faithful pen pal and the heartache of fragile dreams.

“An affecting love letter to unlikely romance… a poignant, funny tribute to the enduring power of human connection, said the Washington Post.

'Dear Jack, Dear Louise' brings CRT’s founding Artistic & Managing Director, Bill Lelbach, from retirement in Colorado to direct this heartwarming drama. Bill not only founded Chenango River Theatre but directed and scene designed most of our shows from 2007 until 2021. The cast is made up of CRT favorite Ryan Canavan (Lend Me a Tenor, Picasso at Lapine Agile) and newcomer Dayna Palya.

Julie Duro, CRT’s resident Lighting Designer and Barbara Kahl, our resident Costume Designer, will create designs for the show. Sound Designer Jeff Knapp returns to CRT after designing sound for Fully Committed in 2013 – he has already designed sound for productions of Dear Jack, Dear Louise for Shadowland Stages (Ellenville), Penguin Rep (Stony Brook), and 59E59 (Off-Broadway). This production will be Stage Managed by Laura Weston.

The 2025 Season is produced in partnership with Empire Toyota (Oneonta). This production will be presents on the Gault BMW Stage (Endicott). This production is Co-Produced by Kevin & Jonalyn Cooper.

This production is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc (www.concordtheatricals.com)

Chenango River Theatre’s production runs August 29th – September 14th. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm, plus Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.chenangorivertheatre.org, or by email at tickets@chenangorivertheatre.org. You can also make reservations 24 hours a day by voicemail at 607-656-8499. Individual tickets are $33 for adults, $12 for college students, and $6 for children 18 and under. All performances start on time.

Chenango River Theatre is just 15 minutes north of Binghamton at 991 State Highway 12 in Greene, NY 13778. Chenango River Theatre’s 2025 Season is made possible in part by: The New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. A grant from the Shubert Foundation in the category of Theatre. A grant from the Community Foundation Arts & Culture Fund of the Community Foundation for South Central New York.

- Information from Chenango River Theatre