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World-Premiere Love Story

Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise

  • Credits

    Written by Ken Ludwig
    Directed by Jackie Maxwell

  • Location

    Kreeger Theater

[Ludwig] is “intelligent and saVvy”

— Associated Press

When two strangers meet by letter during World War II, a love story begins. U.S. Army Captain Jack Ludwig, a military doctor stationed in Oregon, begins writing to Louise Rabiner, an aspiring actress and dancer in New York City, hoping to meet her someday if the war will allow. But as the war continues, it threatens to end their relationship before it even starts. Tony Award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig (Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Lend Me a Tenor) tells the joyous, heart-warming story of his parents’ courtship during World War II and the results are anything but expected.

Dear Jack, Dear Louise is generously sponsored by the Guttman-McCabe family in honor of Fred and Ilse Ruben; InglesideDaniel Korengold, Martha Dippell and Ourisman Automotive; and Hubert M. (Hank) Schlosberg.

Dear Jack, Dear Louise runs approximately one hour and 45 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.

Audience Advisory: This production contains simulated explosions, gun fire and atmospheric effects including strobes and haze.

Cast

JAKE EPSTEIN

Jack Ludwig

AMELIA PEDLOW

Louise Rabiner

Creative

KEN LUDWIG

Playwright

JACKIE MAXWELL

Director

BEOWULF BORITT

Set Designer

LINDA CHO

Costume Designer

JASON LYONS

Lighting Designer

LINDSAY JONES

Original Music and Sound Design

KURT HALL

Stage Manager

RACHAEL DANIELLE ALBERT

Assistant Stage Manager

Multimedia

Get to know the cast
Ken Ludwig's 'Dear Jack, Dear Louise' at Arena Stage
'Dear Jack, Dear Louise' in rehearsal
"Dear Jack, Dear Louise" season preview with playwright Ken Ludwig
See what audiences are saying about Ken Ludwig's 'Dear Jack, Dear Louise'
Photo of Jake Epstein and Amelia Pedlow by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Jake Epstein and Amelia Pedlow by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Jake Epstein by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Jake Epstein and Amelia Pedlow by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Amelia Pedlow, Ken Ludwig and Jake Epstein by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Amelia Pedlow by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Jake Epstein and Amelia Pedlow by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Jake Epstein and Amelia Pedlow by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Jake Epstein by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Jake Epstein and Amelia Pedlow by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Jake Epstein and Amelia Pedlow by C. Stanley Photography.
Photo of Jake Epstein and Amelia Pedlow by Tony Powell.
Photo of Jake Epstein and Amelia Pedlow by Tony Powell.
Photo of Jake Epstein and Amelia Pedlow by Tony Powell.

In The News

Broadway World

Photo Flash: Cast of Arena Stage's Newsies and Ken Ludwig Volunteer at the United Service Organization

DC Metro Theater Arts

Ken Ludwig on Dear Jack, Dear Louise, a long-awaited stage celebration of his parents’ long-distance romance

American Theatre Magazine

Ken Ludwig’s Love Letter to His Pen-Pal Parents

WONK-FM

A good old fashioned love story to escape the Washington craziness

DC Life Magazine

Degrassi and Designated Survivor star Jake Epstein offers talent to Arena Stage

USPS - Link

1940s wartime letters inspire world-premiere play

Washington Jewish Weekly

D.C. playwright Ken Ludwig’s love letter to his parents

Broadway World

Photo Flash: Opening Night Photos of Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise

The Southwester

A tale of long-distance love: Talking with the actors of Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise

MD Theatre Guide

‘A Quick 5’ with Amelia Pedlow, from Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise at Arena Stage

Front Mezz Junkies

Jake Epstein Puts His Voice to Romantic Good Use in Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise at Arena Stage

Washington Post

Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise is an affecting love letter to unlikely romance

WYPR

Midday on Theater: A Conversation with Playwright Ken Ludwig 

Bagels and Broadway with Valerie Smaldone Podcast

Ken Ludwig talks about the world premiere of his new play

The Georgetowner

At Arena: Ken Ludwig’s Parents-to-Be Correspond

Broadway World

BWW Interview: Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise's Jake Epstein Recreates Another World at Arena Stage

Broadway World

Photo Flash: Take a Look at Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise at Arena Stage

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

The king of farce’s new play is inspired by his parents’ love letters

On Tap Magazine

Jake Epstein Talks World Premiere of Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise

WJLA-Good Morning Washington

Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise makes world debut at Arena Stage 

TheaterMania

A Family Legacy Captures a Moment in Time in Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise

Woman Around Town

Amelia Pedlow Talks Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise

Broadway World

Photo Flash: Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise Begins Rehearsals At Arena Stage

TheaterMania

Jake Epstein, Amelia Pedlow to Star in Ken Ludwig's Dear Jack, Dear Louise

Broadway World

Arena Stage Announces Full Cast And Creative Team For Dear Jack, Dear Louise

Playbill

Jake Epstein to Star in World Premiere of Ken Ludwig’s Dear Jack, Dear Louise

Accessible Performances

Closed Captioning
GalaPro Begins Friday, November 29. Learn more about Gala Pro

Open Captioning
Thursday, December 26 at 8 p.m.

Audio Described
Saturday, December 21 at 2 p.m.

Events

Post-Show Discussions
Wednesday, December 11 at 12 p.m.
Thursday, December 12 at 8 p.m.
Tuesday, December 17 at 12 p.m.
Wednesday, December 18 at 12 p.m.
Tuesday, December 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Southwest Night
Wednesday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m. Purchase