'Love Letters' a labor of love for Michael Learned

Since 1960, four-time Emmy Award winner Michael Learned has appeared in more than 60 television or film roles, and countless others on stage.

To most of her fans and to those in Hollywood, she'll always be best known as Ma Walton from the popular 1970s TV series "The Waltons."

But on Saturday night on the Blizzard Theatre stage at Elgin Community College, Learned will become Melissa Gardner, the free-spirited artist and a main character in the theatrical production "Love Letters," by A.R. Gurney.

Much in the same manner that Olivia Walton would do anything for her beloved family, Learned is doing the same for her family; she's breaking away from stage and studio work in Los Angeles to make the trip to the Fox Valley to appear in this play.

The production of "Love Letters," a two-character play, will be a fund-raiser for Einstein Academy in Elgin, where two of Learned's grandchildren attend school.

"I have been to the school before, and I just think that (school founder) Cathy Ilani has done an incredible job and it is just a wonderful school, so I am happy to be able to do something for them," Learned said during a phone interview from her Los Angeles home.

Einstein Academy, on Davis Road in Elgin off Route 31, was opened six years ago as a private school for academically talented children.

Learned will bring decades of acclaimed acting experience to her performance, having earned three Emmy awards for her role on "The Waltons" during the 1970s, and another for her role in "Nurse," which aired in the early 1980s.

She most recently completed a year with the national touring group for "On Golden Pond," and the lead role in "Driving Miss Daisy" at La Marida Theater in California.

But she has played the role of Gardner in "Love Letters" in the past, alongside actors Cliff Robertson and Lawrence Pressman.

"I am looking forward to working with Chicago actor Robert Maher in this play, and he is a real fine actor," Learned said.

"I really hope people realize what a wonderful play it is. Because there are only two people in it, reading letters, people tend to think it would be dreary, but it's just a masterpiece.

"It chronicles the lives of two people from their childhood, and it is funny and heartbreaking," Learned said.

Because she is older now --68 -- Learned said people aren't so quick to identify her with Olivia Walton.

Today's young viewers may recognize her as Mrs. Wilks on the hospital comedy "Scrubs," where she had a recurring role during the 2006 season.

"It was a mixed blessing for me, because for a long time I was identified as Ma Walton," Learned said.

"But I am a completely different person now, and I look different because of my age.

"I think I will always be Ma Walton as far as business goes, but I am doing a lot of other things now," she added.

Learned is hoping for good traveling weather, because she intends to arrive in Elgin on Saturday morning and leave again Sunday morning.

"I just started filming Wednesday on an American Girl movie and I will be appearing on stage in 'Spin Cycle' in Ventura (California) soon," she said.

Learned said she has "pushed every button I can" to get her son and his family in Elgin to move to Los Angeles, but realizes "their lives are there."

Keeping in touch with her own family is challenging because of time constraints, and it is the same with her famous TV family from Walton's Mountain.

"I absolutely try to keep in touch with them, and they are like a second family," Learned said of her fellow cast members from the series, a megahit from 1972 to 1979. "The kids are no longer kids, of course, and they have their own families."

Learned said she keeps fit for her busy schedule with jazz dance classes, and also walking and running.

So is she a candidate for "Dancing with the Stars"?

"I probably would be, but I think I would be too nervous," she laughs.

"And who would want to put themselves through that? I do enjoy watching the show, though."

"Love Letters" will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Blizzard Theatre, in ECC's Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Tickets are $55 and may be ordered by calling the ECC box office at (847) 622-0300 or emailing artscenter@elgin.edu.

Information about Einstein Academy is available by calling (847) 697-3836.

If you go

What: "Love Letters" by A.R. Gurney, a two-character play featuring actress Michael Learned

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: Blizzard Theatre, in ECC's Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Dr., Elgin

Tickets: $55

Call: (847) 622-0300