Last weekend, I was lucky to catch Megan Follows in a performance of Pen Pals at the DR2 Theatre in New York. The off-Broadway play is billed as, "the extraordinary story of two friends that unfolds over decades."
Having loved Megan Follows's performance in Anne of Green Gables (1985) and its sequels, I was excited to watch her act on stage and see her in person. Pen Pals is a two-woman play, and Megan Follows's co-star was Michelle Clunie (Queer as Folk).
The plot of Pen Pals is as follows: "Bernie and Mags live in two different countries, they’ve never met, and yet they’re best friends. Because they’ve been pen pals for over fifty years. Since they were teenagers, they’ve shared every aspect of their lives with each other. The trivial bits, the most intimate details, all the happiness, all the heartache. They’ve told each other things they wouldn’t dare tell another soul. Even though Bernie lives in New Jersey and Mags is from England, the women are closer to each other than anyone else in the world. Come witness the journey of their lifetime. In their own words."
Megan Follows played Mags, and Michelle Clunie played Bernie. The script was written by Michael Griffo and inspired by the true friendship of Griffo's mother and her pen pal. Pen Pals is unique in that it is a story told through letters written over many years. The actresses read the letters from binders throughout the show, and their scripts were not memorized. I found it interesting to watch both the writer and the recipient of the letters at the same time. The story was humorous and emotional, and both actresses gave great performances. As a person who appreciates writing and receiving letters, I enjoyed the uniqueness of the script, and its focus on letter writing and lasting friendship.
By the end of the play, much of the audience was in tears. I thought the script felt somewhat manipulative with the emotional moments piling on as the end drew near. I felt especially sorry for a soon-to-be bride and her bridesmaids who came to watch the show as part of a bachelorette party because I don't think they expected such a teary roller coaster ride. Their initial joy prior to the show had entirely evaporated as they stood outside the theatre after the performance. I guess that stories about life and friendship are not always simple or straightforward.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, and I was really glad to watch Megan Follows perform in person, which made the show extra special for me.
What's a bit sad is that Pen Pals is presented with a rapidly rotating cast that switches every two weeks. Unfortunately, Megan Follows's run from September 3rd to 14th is already over.
Here is the list of actresses set to perform in the show during its current run:
August 15 – August 31 - Nancy McKeon and Gail Winar
September 3 – September 14 - Michelle Clunie and Megan Follows
September 17 – September 28 - Sharna Burgess and Paige Davis
October 1 – October 12 - Kathleen Chalfant and Ellen McLaughlin
October 15 – October 26 - Kate Burton and Pauletta Washington
November 12 – November 23 - Sharon Lawrence and Maureen McCormick
November 26 – December 7 - Mystery Stars to be Announced
December 10 – December 21 - Emily Skinner and Donna Lynne Champlin
Here's a photograph of Megan Follows performing on stage in Pen Pals by Russ Rowland from the BroadwayWorld website. The article includes several more photos from the play.
Here are a few photos I took of the stage prior to the show, the back of the performance postcard, and the posters outside the DR2 venue.
Official Site:
Pen Pals
Pen Pals Digital Program
Image Credit:
Photograph of Megan Follows on stage in Pen Pals by Russ Rowland from BroadwayWorld.
All other photos by World of Anne Shirley.
Links:
Papadatos, Markos. (September 8, 2025). Chatting with Megan Follows: Canadian actress and director. Digital Journal. Retrieved from: https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/chatting-with-megan-follows-canadian-actress-and-director/article.
Rabinowitz, Chloe. (September 5, 2025). Photos: Michelle Clunie and Megan Fellows in PEN PALS Off-Broadway. BroadwayWorld. Retrieved from: https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Photos-Michelle-Clunie-and-Megan-Fellows-in-PEN-PALS-Off-Broadway-20250905.
Created September 20, 2025.
© worldofanneshirley.com
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