Pen Pals tells the story of very different women who develop a friendship that lasts over 50 years.
Bernie lives in Newark, New Jersey and Mags is Sheffield, England. They were 14 years old when they become pen pals. They shared every aspect of their lives – adolescent crushes, abortion, marriage, still birth. adultery, children, gradual death of husbands (MS and early onset Alzheimer’s), and breast cancer. Even their arguments bring them closer together. The major events of history such as the Vietnam War and Bloody Sunday in Londonderry, Northern Ireland are ignored. It is the minutia of daily life that bonds these two. The joys and sorrows that they share create a friendship that only becomes stronger over the years. And yet, they never met until 50 years had passed.
The two actresses present this story in an almost stark set. There is a revolving cast. The production I saw consisted of Kate Burton (Mags) and Paulette Washington (Bernie). They were able to maintain suspense and interest throughout the play. One can see the growth of the characters as their friendship grows. The author, Michael Griffo, has written a play that successfully depends on words to fully present two women and an enduring friendship.
