By: Tally Daniels
This October, New Jersey Repertory Company will debut Pen Pals, a new play by Michael Griffo that chronicles a friendship spanning five decades between two women, Bernie and Mags, who never meet in person. This unique relationship, based on Griffo’s own mother’s real-life pen pal experience, delves deep into the intimate connection that can blossom through the written word, across time and continents.
Griffo’s inspiration for the play stems from his mother’s five-decade correspondence with Sheila Bashforth of Sheffield, England. “From the time she was 14 until she passed away at the age of 77, my mother corresponded with Sheila,” Griffo explains. Growing up, he and his family heard constant stories about “Sheila from Sheffield,” despite his mother and her pen pal having never met. It wasn’t until Griffo himself began forming close friendships that he understood the profound effort it takes to maintain a bond, particularly when relying solely on letter writing.
It wasn’t until later in life that his mother and Sheila finally met. Griffo recounts a magical moment when, after years of letters and just a few phone calls, he arranged a trip to England for his mother, and they traveled to meet Sheila in person. “It was truly a magical moment, and I will forever be grateful that I was able to witness the two pen pals meet for the first time,” he shares. While his mother’s relationship with Sheila was the inspiration, Pen Pals is not a direct recounting of their lives. The play’s characters, Bernie and Mags, are products of Griffo’s imagination, but the essence of that pen pal relationship—its emotional depth and resilience—remains at the heart of the play.
Photo Courtesy: NJ Rep / Andrea Phox
As the play emphasizes the power of written letters, Griffo contrasts this with how we communicate today, especially in the digital age. “We don’t listen; we talk,” he says, lamenting how modern communication often prioritizes speed and quantity over thoughtfulness. “When people wrote letters, it was a ritual,” he explains, describing the care and effort that went into letter writing—something much different from today’s rapid-fire texting or emails. For Griffo, pen pal letters carry a depth that modern communication lacks. “Letters contain so much more than words—they contain thoughts and feelings, emotions and aspirations, fears and joys.”
Griffo’s collaboration with New Jersey Repertory Company, known for its commitment to new works, has been a key part of bringing Pen Pals to life. Lisa Dozier Shacket, one of the play’s producers, introduced the script to NJ Rep, and they quickly embraced it. “I’m thrilled that they did because they’re a top-notch theater that really knows how to celebrate and handle new work. Plus, I’m a Jersey Boy so I’m a little biased and over the moon that the play will premiere in my home state,” Griffo says.
The journey from script to stage has been both rewarding and humbling for the playwright. He admits that sitting in on rehearsals with actors Nancy McKeon and Gail Winar, who play Bernie and Mags, was initially intimidating. “I knew that I was in the presence of artistic professionals,” he says. But once they began discussing the characters and the script, his insecurities dissolved, and he embraced the collaborative spirit of NJ Rep. “I’ve made cuts to the script I never would have made if it weren’t for SuzAnne [Barabas, NJ Rep’s artistic director] and the team,” Griffo says. “The cuts have only served to enhance the story.”
Nancy McKeon, beloved for her role on The Facts of Life, brings the character of Bernie to life, while Gail Winar’s portrayal of Mags captures the essence of a Sheffield native. Griffo highlights their commitment to their roles, noting that McKeon’s Queens upbringing and strong family foundation resonate deeply with her portrayal of Bernie. Similarly, Winar’s ability to slip effortlessly into Mags’ British accent and her combination of strength and vulnerability embody the character’s complex personality.
At the heart of Pen Pals is the simple yet extraordinary bond between Bernie and Mags. “They don’t cure cancer; they don’t invent electricity. They write letters about mundane occurrences and common life events,” Griffo says. Yet, it’s their unwavering commitment to each other, across five decades and despite never meeting, that makes their friendship so powerful. “They share what’s in the mind, heart, and soul,” he adds, making the bond between the two women deeply intimate and emotionally resonant.
As Griffo prepares for Pen Pals’ world premiere, he reflects on what audiences can expect to experience. “What I’m most excited about is the chance to give the audience an opportunity to watch the lives of two women unfold before their eyes.” The play’s unique format, where the characters age from teenagers to older women, is a rare opportunity in theater. “Before our eyes, Bernie and Mags age from fourteen to about sixty with no trick lighting, stage make-up, or costume changes,” Griffo notes. “The only tools they have are their words and, of course, the actresses’ skill, which is immense.”
For Griffo, Pen Pals celebrates the power of friendship—especially the kind that transcends physical presence. “The beauty of their friendship is that they have arguments, they share innermost secrets, and yet they never meet,” he says. In today’s world, where communication has become quick and often shallow, Pen Pals reminds us of the depth that can come from slowing down, taking the time to write, and truly connecting with another person.
As audiences prepare to witness this heartfelt story at New Jersey Repertory Company, Griffo’s message is clear: In a world of instant communication, we can still learn from the patience and sincerity of a handwritten letter.
Pen Pals runs at New Jersey Repertory Company (njrep.org) from October 3 to October 20, 2024. Don’t miss this extraordinary tale of friendship, connection, and the lost art of letter writing.
Published by: Holy Minoza
