On its face, “Love Letters” seems like a simple play.

Two actors sit across from each other at a table, reading letters written over a lifetime.

But as most things in life — and personal relationships — go, it’s more complicated than that. It’s about friendship and love, about the complications and joys of human contact, about loss.

Minerva West presents A.R. Gurney’s Pulitzer Prize finalist production to the stage starting tonight (Thursday) and continuing through Saturday.

“I think what it does is it gives us insights into people’s lives, the power of relationships,” said Ken Stofferahn, who directs the production. “It’s about the power of always having someone there to back you up.”

The story centers on two characters played by Linda Browning and Tim Price.

Stofferahn, who is a longtime theater professional and professor of stage and screen arts, saw the play for the first time more than 20 years ago. He was later involved in a production of “Love Letters” featuring two friends – a close personal friend and a friend who was also a professor and work colleague, who died a few years ago. That loss provided Stofferahn with an intimate connection to the performance and helped him view the play through his late friend’s eyes.

He hopes the audience walks away with a warm feeling.

“A sense of being able to think about who are the people in my life I’ve shared a closeness with. It’s not a big production number. It’s just a well-written piece, just a comfortable evening of entertainment.”

If you go

WHAT: Minerva West’s produc_on of “Love Letters”

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29 and Friday, March 1; 3 p.m. Saturday, March 2

WHERE: Ouray County 4-H Event Center, 22739 U.S. Highway 550

TICKETS: $20 for adults, $10 for students on Thursday and Friday. Tickets are $30 on Saturday and include wine and cheese. Available at minervawest.org or at the door, except on Saturday, when tickets must be reserved in advance.