Letters from Max: A Benefit Reading
Help us build what’s next.
Letters from Max was meant to be on the Jungle Theater’s stage this season. When we made the decision to pause programming, that production was among the things we set aside.
On Wednesday, June 3, we are bringing it back as a benefit reading at Open Book in Minneapolis. One night. One room. A way of staying close to the work, and a way of investing in what comes next.
Presented in collaboration with Milkweed Editions and Open Book, the evening brings together our literary and performing arts communities for a shared purpose.
About the play
Max Ritvo is an exceptional young man: a student at Yale, a member of an experimental comedy troupe, and an insightful poet. When he applies to Sarah Ruhl’s playwriting workshop, he finds not only a mentor, but a friend.
When Max learns his childhood cancer has returned, the two begin writing letters to each other. Their correspondence, by turns humorous and profound, explores the making of art, the meaning of work, and the strange experience of being human. Drawn from these real letters, Letters from Max is an emotional mosaic of correspondence, poetry, music, and dialogue — a testament to theater’s ability to express the ineffable.
Sarah Agnew and Jesse Lavercombe will perform. Christina Baldwin, the Jungle’s Artistic Director, will direct. Sarah Ruhl will be in attendance.
The details
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Reception 6:00 p.m. | Reading 7:30 p.m. (approx. 2 hours, with intermission)
Open Book, 1011 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis
Tickets: $150
Important: this event is at Open Book, not at the Jungle.
Why now
The Jungle has paused programming this season so we can build a sustainable path forward. Every seat in the room on June 3 is a direct contribution to that work. It will help keep our artistic vision alive, our community gathered, and our future in motion.
Can’t join us for Letters from Max on June 3? You can still help support what comes next at the Jungle.
This benefit reading is a way of staying connected to the work, the artists, and the community we care deeply about. If you’re unable to attend, we hope you’ll consider making a donation to support the Jungle Theater as we continue building toward the future.
Thank you for being part of this community.
