Sarah and Mark Dale                            - The Bay Net photo by Anna Bedford

This Valentine’s weekend the NewTowne Players will produce “Love Letters,” a drama in epistolary form, as a fundraiser for the community theatre. “It’s a tradition with ‘Love Letters’ to have a celebrity couple perform,” said Wendy Heidrich, artistic director, who invited Mark Dale and Sarah Raley Dale to star in the upcoming performance.

Mark and Sarah became local celebrities when they were selected as The Today Show’s Hometown Wedding couple last year, so while Mark hasn’t acted since grade school, he should be used to an audience. The two became instantly famous in St. Mary’s County, during the filming and the much publicized wedding preparations they found themselves recognized everywhere. “We’re like the little hometown celebrities,” said Sarah.

“I would go to Target just before they closed,” said Mark, “because I’d go in for toilet roll and razors and it would take two hours!”

“I can definitely understand how famous people can’t get their daily things done,” Sarah said Wednesday. “We’ve kind of decided that we can’t go to the grocery store together, because then people will definitely recognize us.”

And the celebrity recognition isn’t confined to St. Mary’s County, or even Maryland. The couple recently got congratulated by a waitress in Wyoming, and they were tapped on the shoulder going down an escalator in Pennsylvania. But the publicity isn’t all unwelcome. “A lot of people ask about my dad, which is nice,” said Sarah, whose father is undergoing treatment for cancer. “People feel like they know him and they care.” Sarah said her parents were delighted with the wedding, and her mom didn’t mind not having too much input. “She’s not into party planning and big social events, anyway,” said Sarah, “ my parents had their wedding in their home” – which was a far cry from their daughters large and elaborate ceremony.

Fittingly, “Love Letters” is the story of a couple who have been friends since childhood and the progression of their relationship as revealed through the letters they write to each other. Mark and Sarah met at Leonardtown High School and began dating when Mark was a senior there and Sarah was a junior. They will have been together for seven years this June. Sarah wanted to graduate from college – she attended St. Mary’s – before they got engaged. Mark had the ring six months in advance but waited until after graduation. He proposed while they were vacationing in the French Riviera, a trip that was Mark’s graduation gift to Sarah, who loves to travel.

The couple bought a house in Lusby and had a year to decorate and fix it up before the wedding. Sarah who likes to do interior painting in her spare time, did all of the interiors herself. They are currently living in Calvert but would like to move back to St. Mary’s “and the water,” perhaps to Valley Lee where Sarah’s parents are. Today Sarah is director of sales at the Hampton Inn, and Mark manages ProFitness Gym in Wildewood.

Sarah and Mark try out their lines                         The Bay Net photo by Anna Bedford

Sarah told The Bay Net she is excited to be acting again. She was involved in the theatre department at St. Mary’s College while a student, and starred in the “Vagina Monologues” twice. She’s also been part of different theatre groups and takes part in the Sotterley ghost walk each year.

“I try to stay involved,” she said. “If you step out of it it gets a little scary going back.”

“Now you tell me!” responded Mark, “Thanks, it’s been since 4th Grade for me!”

While this will be Mark’s first major performance, Sarah hopes to stay involved with the Newtowne Players, “This is my introduction, and hopefully I can become part of the team,” she said.

The two, who will celebrate their first Valentine’s Day as a married couple were keeping their plans top secret. They take it in turns to plan the day, this year it’s Mark’s turn, but the event is always a surprise. Last year Sarah went to Mark’s house for dinner and they stayed in. “We used to buy each other all these gifts and try to out do each other,” said Mark. But now they’re trying to be more creative, according to Sarah.

Sarah and Mark will be starring in the Friday 10th and Saturday 11th shows, and for the Sunday matinee, John Guisti and Linda Lagle will perform.

John Guisti and Wendy Heidrich in the Three Notch Theatre             The Bay Net photo by Anna Bedford

John Guisti acted in college but moved away from it after graduation. He got involved once again when he was employed in the Foreign Service. “One of our first postings was in Yemen, on the Saudi Peninsular,” he explained, “and there was a British group there that performed – those Brits, they’re a bunch of actors!” he joked. After acting in shows such as “Cinderella” and “Ali-Babba” in Yemen, John went on to perform in Morocco, and then Egypt. He returned about ten years ago and had only been doing a little acting through his church. “Then I heard about Three Notch Theatre and got back into the groove,” he said. “And he’s marvelous,” added Wendy.

Linda Lagle and John Guisti will star in "Love Letters" on Sunday Jan 12th -    The Bay Net Photo

 “Love Letters” is being put on as a fundraiser for the theatre, which is a non-profit group. The lumber, plumbing, electrical work and furnishings have all been donated to the company. The revenue generated from ticket sales are put right back into the community. In December “Inspecting Carol” generated over 400 pounds of food for the Stuff-a-Bus drive, and the theatre has also donated to tri-county youth services, and Hurricane Katrina funds, among others. “Part of the mission statement for the theatre is a commitment to civic duties and responsibilities,” said Wendy. “This one’s for the theatre.” The actors, stage crew, set designers, and other participants all volunteer their time. One of the things they’d like to purchase after the fundraiser is a master curtain for the stage.

For more information about the Newtowne Players and upcoming shows visit www.newtowneplayers.com.

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