Ken Ludwig’s ‘Dear Jack, Dear Louise’ @ Theatre Off the Square (Weatherford)
—Carol M. Rice
I love a good love story and I’m a World War II buff, so Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise was obviously written expressly for me. Okay, so maybe that’s stretching things a bit, but I fell in love with this play when I read it on publication in 2020 and have been dying to see it done on stage ever since. I’m pleased to report that Theatre Off the Square’s excellent production does not disappoint.
The story is based on playwright Ludwig’s parents’ somewhat unusual courtship during the war. Captain Jacob S. Ludwig (aka Jack) is a U.S. Army doctor stationed in Oregon. In 1942 at the suggestion of his father, he begins to write letters to Louise Rabiner, a dancer/singer living in New York and trying to make it on Broadway—and the two manage to hit it off long-distance. Unfortunately, meeting in person proves quite the challenge, especially as the war intensifies and Jack is sent overseas to Europe. They finally meet once the war is over in 1945, and it’s as romantic as you could imagine.
This is a very difficult show that requires two strong actors who can not only handle a lot of lines, including many in-depth monologues, but who can also react to each other without “seeing” the other person, since they aren’t in the same space until the last few moments of the play. Fortunately, director Manny Garcia has cast this show with two such amazing actors.
As Louise, Ellie Nunemaker is clever and bubbly, and we see immediately why Jack enjoys communicating with her: she isn’t a shrinking violet and isn’t afraid to put him in his place when necessary. Nunemaker has fantastic facial expressions and physicality to go along with her energetic delivery. She knows how to hit both the comedy and drama of the role.
Adrian Villa starts off a little more subdued as Jack but definitely grows into the role as he learns more about Louise. Like Nunemaker, his facial expressions are fabulous, and his character is fun to watch, especially as Jack becomes more comfortable with and interested in Louise.
Even without ever looking at the other actor, Villa and Nunemaker manage to have crackling chemistry, and it’s delightful to watch their relationship as Jack and Louise blossom and grow. Garcia’s direction is spot on for these actors both individually and as a couple; part of the reason it all works so well is the set, designed by Garcia as well. We see Jack’s humble army office contrasted with Louise’s cute New York apartment, and along the back wall of the stage there is an artful arrangement of hanging letters and envelopes that ties everything together.
The only time the set doesn’t quite work is when the actors switch places while Louise is on the road and Jack is in training camp. Some lighting might fix that, although overall Jesse James’s lighting design is quite good.
The sound design by Brad Justice, complete with voiceovers by Frankie Whitaker, also works well for the show. The music choices are great for the period, and the sound for the battle scenes is appropriately jolting, aided by James’s lighting.
Jaclyn Justice serves as costume designer and fares far better with Louise than with Jack. The 1940s looks for Nunemaker work well for the character and period, but more appropriate (and just plain MORE) military garb is necessary for Villa.
Dear Jack, Dear Louise is a deceptively simple show and, in the wrong hands, could be a train wreck. Theatre Off the Square’s production is beautiful and touching, and should be seen by many more people than were in attendance at the performance I was at. It’s funny, heartwarming, tear-jerking, sweet...the list goes on and on. Go see this show if you can.
WHEN: December 5-21, 2026
WHERE: 114 North Denton St., Weatherford
WEB: theatreoffthesquare.org
