338. Letters Aloud: Love Me or Leave Me: Letters of Loving, Longing, and Leaving

Get ready to laugh, swoon, and maybe cringe just a little—Love Me or Leave Me from Letters Aloud unleashes the wild side of romance in a whirlwind show packed with real letters from history's most lovelorn (and love-scorned) souls. With a cast of spirited actors, comedy crackles from every confession, break-up, and "did-they-really-write-that?" misadventure, all paired with lively music that sets hearts and funny bones tingling. It's an unfiltered anthology of grand gestures, awkward flirtations, ridiculous rejections, and letters so sincere (or spectacularly misguided) you can't help but cheer. Whether you arrive hopelessly romantic or deliciously cynical, you'll end the night loving every memorable misstep on the bumpy road to happily ever after. Real letters, by real people, read by professional actors. Since 2014, we have traveled the country sharing intimate letters written by individuals who have left their mark on history. With a power to evoke both laughter and deep emotion, these letters serve as a testament to humanity's extraordinary ability to unearth hope, purpose, and happiness amidst life's many challenges. With live musical accompaniment and a dynamic slideshow, a Letters Aloud evening is guaranteed to inspire! (As one fan said, "It's a modern day 'A prairie Home Companion' – but with letters.") ABOUT THE PERFORMERS Paul Morgan Stetler is the creator and curator of Letters Aloud and a co-founder and former Artistic Director of Seattle's multi-award winning New Century Theatre Company. A well-known Seattle actor, Paul has appeared on numerous local stages over the past 20 years, including ACT Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Village Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre, Intiman Theatre, and Empty Space Theatre, as well as numerous regional theatres across the country. He holds a BA in English Literature at Cal State Northridge and an MFA in Theatre Arts from Penn State University. Basil Harris is a Seattle actor and musician who has worked extensively on stage here in Seattle, and in film and media. As a voice actor, he's a regular contributor to the audio dramas of Jim French's Imagination Theater. He also plays in the alt-pop band "Awesome", which has often appeared here at Town Hall. More at basilharris.com Jen Taylor is a Seattle-based stage actor and voice performer whose career bridges some of the city's most respected theatres and one of pop culture's most iconic AI characters. She is widely recognized worldwide as the original voice of Cortana in the Halo video game series and Microsoft's digital assistant, a role she has carried from the first game through multiple sequels and into the live-action Halo television adaptation. Jamie Maschler is a musician, music director, educator and an ambassador of the accordion. She is co-founder of the Brazilian bands Foleada, En Canto, and the accordion duo Creosote. She has been heard with the Pueblo Symphony, Seattle Symphony and Seattle Philharmonic. Jamie has also played the role of Nelly Friedman in Paula Vogel's award winning play Indecent twice.