Strong acting, but forgettable material. That’s the lowdown on “Hate Mail.” It’s a romantic comedy told through a series of letters, many of which are written with an acid pen. Here’s an example, with the guy telling the woman that her recent photography isn’t as good as her old stuff.

(play excerpt:  mentions Burgess Meredith)

The reference to the late Burgess Meredith dates this play – he made his last film in 1995, about the time this play was written. 1995 is also right about the time that many people stopped sending letters, and switched to e-mail. You can see the transition in this play, they use laptops in the final scene.The good news about this production is that actors Dana Brooke and Kurt Johnson are right on the money. They’ve worked together before, they’re favorites at the B Street Theatre, and they’re in good form here. The downside is that script is cute but contrived, the story predictable, and a year from now, you’re probably going to remember the actors more than the play they perform. “Hate Mail” is at the B Street Theatre through September 25.