Love Letters

SALISBURY, MD-- Saturday, March 23, will be a "Homecoming" for Mary-Ann Kennerly Clinton. The Wicomico County native returns with her husband, John Clinton, to present A. R. Gurney's Love Letters as a benefit for the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra at Salisbury University. The curtain rises at 8 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre in Fulton Hall on the SU campus.

Mary-Ann Clinton was born in Nanticoke and her parents, Harold and Dorothy Kennerly, currently live in Salisbury. In 1945, Mrs. Clinton was the only person in Wicomico County stricken with infantile paralysis. After hospitalization and numerous surgeries, she graduated from Wicomico Senior High School in 1957. She was involved in student productions there. Mrs. Clinton attended Drew University where she met her husband.

The Clintons were married nearly 41 years ago in Nanticoke and lived in Salisbury from 1963-70. During those years, John Clinton taught at Wicomico Junior and Senior high schools and then at James M. Bennett High

School. In 1968, he was chosen the "Outstanding Young Educator" in Wicomico County. The Clinton's son was born in Salisbury, and recently, Dr. Mark Clinton was the guest soloist with the Salisbury Symphony.

John and Mary-Ann Clinton's March 23 performance of Love Letters will be their fifth. Previous performances have been in Bowie and Millersville, MD, and Rydal, PA. Two Bowie performances were benefits for BRAVA - a regional arts association raising funds for a new auditorium - and the Bowie Pantry (an organization providing food and shelter to persons in need). Their Millersville performance raised money for the new sound system at their home church - Severna Park United Methodist Church. Their Pennsylvania performance was at the Rydal Senior Living complex where Mr. Clinton's aunt lives. "It has been a joy to present these performances for so many worthy causes," said Mrs. Clinton.

Their love affair with Love Letters began when the Clintons saw it performed in Washington, D.C. by Colleen Dewhurst and E. G. Marshall. The story covers the relationship between staid, conservative, correct Andy Ladd and the artsy, controversial and troubled Melissa Gardner. "It's a warm revealing play with a little drama, comedy and tragedy," said John Clinton, who thought that the chance to do the play with his wife would be a unique and enjoyable experience.

As they have gotten closer to Andy and Melissa, they have found some similarities. Like Andy, John Clinton attended a New England prep school and could relate to Andy's interest in politics because he teaches political science part-time at area community colleges. Mary-Ann Clinton says that she can identify "with Melissa's free spirit and feistiness" - although she confesses: "I wouldn't go quite as far as Melissa does." Both John and Mary-Ann said, "The greatest compliments are that people laugh at all the right places and many leave with tears in their eyes because of the play's ending."

Dr. Thomas Elliot, SSO music director, said, "We are excited about this performance of Love Letters. We thank the Clintons for responding to the needs of the SSO."

For tickets for the March 23 benefit call 410-548- 5587. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for students (18 and under) and seniors (60+). For information contact Lacey Robinson, Salisbury Symphony Orchestra manager, at 410-548-5587.