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  • Sam Weeks and Christina Casella rehearse a scene from “Hate Mail” by Bill Corbett and Kira Obolensky at the Old Town Theatre Thursday night. The play, produced by Huntsville Community Theatre and directed by David Keithley, will open tonight at 7:30 p.m. and be performed Saturday and Feb. 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday and Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10, or $8 for seniors, military and students. For more information, visit www.huntsvillecommunitytheatre.org. Matthew Jackson

    Hate Mail

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February 17, 2011

‘Hate Mail’ opens at Old Town Theatre

By Matthew Jackson Staff Reporter

HUNTSVILLE — A spoiled rich kid and an angst-filled artist clash, then fall in love, then clash again, all through a lengthy chain of letters, in -Hate Mail” by Bill Corbett and Kira Obolensky, the new production by Huntsville Community Theatre opening tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Town Theatre.

Directed by David Keithley and starring Sam Houston State University theatre students Sam Weeks and Christina Casella, the play is a parody and companion piece to “Love Letters” by A. R. Gurney, which was presented by HCT during its fundraiser gala last weekend.

The play follows the correspondence of Preston (Weeks) and Dahlia (Casella), who meet when Preston sends a letter of complaint to Dahlia’s employer, who fires her as a result. Intent on giving her critic a piece of her mind, Dahlia tracks down and writes Preston, who replies with his own does of venom. What follows is a relationship that evolves from hate, to love, then back again.

“As the play progresses, the couple maneuvers their way from detest, to love, and back again,” Keithley said. “Sometimes one takes the high road professing logic and reason, while the other tries to medicate (vitamins for Dahlia, actual pills for Preston) and becomes emotional and irrational.”

Though “Hate Mail” is an intimate play, with a cast of only two, Keithley is confident that both of his performers will keep any audience engaged and entertained.

Sam was an obvious choice for me.  He brought a ton of energy to auditions, and has not disappointed.  He is a pleasure to work with, and can find emotional levels in Preston’s rants that I never knew were there,” Keithley said of Weeks. “(Christina) and Sam have such great chemistry together.  Our best rehearsals are when Sam tries something different in his character, like underplaying a line or emotional moment, and Christina is able to improvise seemingly without effort.  She is never afraid to explore her space on stage, and always brings with her a charm that will win any audience over.”

“Hate Mail” brings a more modern, more comedic feel to Huntsville Community Theatre on the heels of the dramatic “Love Letters,” and its tone is something Keithley sees as a perfect fit for Huntsville audiences.

“You’d want to come see “Mail” for the same reason you’d go to see “Letters,” to see a relationship go through its peaks and valleys,” Keithley said. “Everyone that has ever been in love can relate with the characters at one point or another.  It’s an adult situation comedy that goes from slap stick, to high brow humor with moments of tenderness thrown in besides. I believe Preston and Dahlia do truly care about each other, albeit it at times in an entertainingly dysfunctional way.  I feel “Hate Mail” is a good companion piece to “Love Letters,” and I truly believe it has something for everyone.”

Additional performances of “Hate Mail” are set for Feb. 19, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65 and older, military, students and children 17 and under. Tickets are available at the HCT Box Office before each performance, and may be ordered online at www.huntsvillecommunitytheatre.org or by phone at (936) 291-7933.











 

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