Love seems to follow Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes wherever they go.

It will follow them to Springfield as the couple perform "Love Letters" in performances Saturday and Sunday at the Hoogland Center for the Arts.

"Love Letters," written by A.R. Gurney, is a love story between a lawyer and an artist outlined in letters they've written to one another. The production was a hit off and on Broadway.

"It's really the proof of good writing," Bill Hayes said. "It really grabs you and moves you."

Both actors are past stars at Sullivan's Little Theatre-On the Square. The two returned to Sullivan last June in the gala production of "Follies."

The Hayeses have been performing "Love Letters" for years, they said, including at the Little Theatre in 1995.

Known for playing the married couple of Doug Williams and Julie Olson Williams on the long-running soap "Days of Our Lives," the Hayeses have nothing but positive comments about the television show, describing the cast as one large family.

"It's been wonderful to be part of the show. The show has opened doors all over for us," Susan said.

"It was a thrilling story," Bill said. "The whole country watched us fall in love."

Their characters' love echoed through real life when the couple married in 1974.

In 2005, they released the autobiography "Like Sands Through the Hourglass," chronicling their personal love story, as well as their characters on "Days of Our Lives." The Hayeses will have a book signing from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Barnes and Noble in Springfield.

Bill Hayes was born in Harvey and taught voice and acting at Millikin University in 1966 for a short time, before finding out how hard professors have to work.

"It was very demanding," he recalled.

With the intimate setting of "Love Letters," the audience gets to know the characters well, the Hayeses said, and the production draws out emotions.

"You care about the people, and they move you a lot," Susan said. "It's written out of true life in a theatrical experience."

Alicia Spates can be reached at aspates@herald-review.com or 421-6986.