By Mary Ann Bourbeau
A close friend doesn’t necessarily have to live close by. That’s especially true for Bernie and Mags, who have confided more in each other than they ever have with another soul. And they’ve never actually met.
That’s the premise of “Pen Pals,” a new play by Michael Griffo starring Nancy McKeon (“The Facts of Life”) and Gail Winar (“Trans Scripts”), running at New Jersey Repertory Company Oct. 3-20. For 50 years, Bernie and Mags have shared every aspect of their lives – each laugh, heartbreak and secret – without ever meeting in person. They’ve built an extraordinary friendship through their pen pal letters. Even though Bernie is in New York and Mags is in England, they have become closer to each other than with anyone else in their lives.
“I love this story,” said McKeon. “It was a hit for me on so many levels. It’s about friendship and life and the sharing of letters, which perhaps people don’t really send anymore. Their friendship lasts over decades. It’s the one person in life they share everything with – family, feelings, illness, getting older. There’s a magic to this kind of friendship. This story makes you even more grateful for the friends in your life.”
Those friends for McKeon include her castmates from the long-running ‘80s sitcom “The Facts of Life,” in which she played Jo Polniaczek from 1980 to 1988.
“I owe pretty much everything to that show,” she said. “I’m so grateful I had that opportunity. It was such a privilege. I have the best memories, and the core group of us are still lifelong friends.”
McKeon began her career at age 2 as a model for catalogs and print ads. As a teen, both she and her brother Philip found success on television. He portrayed the son of Linda Lavin’s character on the sitcom “Alice,” and she joined the ensemble of “The Facts of Life.” Her additional television credits include “Style and Substance” (with Jean Smart), “Can’t Hurry Love” and the Lifetime police drama “The Division,” among many others. McKeon also starred in numerous made-for-TV movies in the 1980s and 1990s and later wrote and directed her own short film, “A Wakening.”
A New York native, McKeon recently relocated from Los Angeles back to the East Coast. When a friend introduced her to the “Pen Pals” script, she was immediately intrigued because she had never performed in a play. It brought back memories of growing up in Queens, New York., where she was always enamored by the bright lights of Broadway.
“It was always the dream,” she said. “When I was living in California, we did our shows in front of a live audience, which is similar, except you have quite the safety net. But I always loved the audience days. There’s such energy and excitement about it.”
McKeon said she always wanted to do theater and now that she’s back on the East Coast, she’s excited to finally have the chance.
“I love a live interaction, and I love telling stories,” she said. “To tell a complete story in one evening will be gratifying.”
Sharing the stage with McKeon is Gail Winar, artistic associate at NJ Rep. Winar teaches for the Roundabout Theatre Company on Broadway, Kean University and Marymount Manhattan College, among others. She has performed in numerous tours throughout the U.S., U.K. and Europe, and has directed productions at Roundabout, George Street Playhouse, NJ Rep, Kean University and American Globe Theatre. She has also produced dozens of theater projects including “Trans Scripts,” which won a Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“We are thrilled to present the world premiere of ‘Pen Pals,’ ” said SuzAnne Barabas, artistic director of NJ Rep and director of “Pen Pals.” “This play beautifully captures the power of connection across distance and time. Through Bernie and Mags’ journey, audiences will be reminded of the enduring bonds we create and the profound impact of shared stories, even when miles apart. We’re excited to bring this heartfelt and unique story to life for our 27th season.”
The creative team includes set design by Jessica Parks, lighting design by Jill Nagle, technical direction by Brian Snyder, costume stylist David Woolard and sound design by Nick Simone.
Tickets are available at njrep.org or by calling 732-229-3166. NJ Rep is located at 179 Broadway, Long Branch. “Pen Pals” showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with 2 p.m. matinees Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The article originally appeared in the September 19 – September 25, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
