[rating=5]I was born in 1942- a war was in progress. Many of my relatives were off fighting for our country, some stationed here in the US, others sent off to Europe. My Uncle Dan was in England when he first met my Aunt Gloria. They met when he was on leave for R and R after basic in Kansas and they wrote to each other for two years until they saw each other again. Imagine this happening without meeting? Many military people did just that. They became pen pals and the women who wrote to the men were asked to keep their spirits positive and hopeful. It was a good thing to do.

In the case of playwright Ken Ludwig’s parents, there is a twist. That twist becomes straightened out in his personalized story “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” now onstage at  Northlight Theatre in Skokie. Under the solid direction of Jessica Fisch,  we watch the story unveil, almost letter by letter, month by month until the war ends and they are at once united. This is the love story to end all love stories! These are real people and the actual story of how they were first introduced and what came from the first letter from each to the other.

Jack ( Casey Hoekstra is wonderful) is a doctor serving in Oregon when he begins his journey with an actress, Louise Rabiner ( played to perfection by Sarah Price, who you will fall in love with instantly). They begin to write to each other and learn more about each other. The letters are shown to us in conversational dialogue as if we were reading them, which speeds the story along. What we watch for almost two hours with one 15 minute intermission is a love affair that grew out of a pen pal concept and from the letters and the stories that Ken heard from family members, he was able to weave a clever biography of how they met, fell in love and went through a war and possible loss, only to once again reach out and find the person that was meant to be theirs.

The play is filled with humor and great personality. Both Hoekstra and Price are fun to watch. When one is doing their letter, in many cases the facial expressions on the other are hysterical.  We watch Louise prepare for her auditions as an actress aided by letters from Jack supporting her. We learn how she meets his family, who were friends of her parents. She doesn’t just meet them, they form a parade to welcome her. The family stories are adorable as are the scenes between them. We watch the love blossom despite their not even knowing what the other looks like.

One of the scenes deals with their names and closing salutations ( ending each letter is quite a “bit”). During this sequence they sign off with almost every closing salutation available.” Sincerely DrJacob S..Ludwig”,” very truly yours  Captain Ludwig”, “Respectfully yours Louise Rabiner” and later,”Very truly yours, Lou “and then one day, “Love, Lou”! Jack’s response to that was a very expensive Western Union Telegram and Louise did likewise! One could see the feelings grow between these two from letter to letter, making an amazing story!

The set (Yeaji Kim) is designed with a scrim that is clear but filled with what appears to be floating letters. On the stage there is a wardrobe and changing screen as well as a makeup table and chaise and a desk. Both of them have representation in items that are personal and there are times that they intercross with each other sharing some of the furniture. The costumes ( Izumi Inaba) are fitting of the times and period and the lighting (Jackie Fox) and sound (Eric Backus) are perfect.

When Ludwig was interviewed about how he scripted this play, he said that it fell into place. His parents and her parents had contact with each other and both felt that perhaps this was a “match made in heaven” waiting to happen, but needed a little budge. The letters had been tossed but the memories were there and it seemed that everyone in the family ( even extended) know about the romance. The presentation reaches deep within both of them and captures the essence of what we call a soulmate. Today, nothing like this could possibly take place. Letters, for the most part are non existent. Today, they “text”. I don’t think that would be as powerful as this story is.

While there are many funny moments, I suggest a few tissues in your pockets for a few places. The ending, I will advise is sentimental and wonderful and for sure a tissue will come in handy.