East Lynn Reception to Benefit the Food Closet

CAPE MAY – For those who didn’t have the opportunity to meet the thirteen-member cast of East Lynne Theater Company’s “Within the Law” at the opening night after-show party at Aleathea’s, or at the recent after-show Q&A, there is one more opportunity Oct. 3 at a special reception, starting around 10:15 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., where this Equity professional company performs.
Like ELTC’s two other receptions this year, the delicious food is prepared by board member Veronica Scutaro and her husband Jerry DeMenna. Tasty treats for this reception include holiday classic turkey open pot-pie cups with carrots, peas, celery and onions in a white sauce; vegetarian sausage stuffing; green bean casserole cups with cream of celery soup; sweet potato pie; and garlic-herb mashed golden potatoes.
The cost is only $10 and two-thirds of the proceeds will go to The Food Closet. Patrons do not have to have just seen the show to attend, but reservations are appreciated and may be made by calling ELTC at 609-884-5898 or by e-mail at eastlynneco@aol.com. Those who came to the receptions for “The First Fifty Years” and “Zorro” had a lovely time.
Opening in September, 1912, “Within the Law” was the most popular and financially successful play to hit Broadway in ten years. The story of how Mary Turner, a salesgirl falsely accused of stealing gets revenge, resonated with social workers, politicians, and the public. Although considered a crime drama, playwright Bayard Veiller included humor and romance in this, his first Broadway hit.
Playing Mary is Meredith Lark who came to Cape May right after performing in “Dial M for Murder” at New London Barn Playhouse in New Hampshire. Her New York credits include “Unville Brazil.” This is her first ELTC appearance.
Also new to ELTC are Eric Stephenson, Patrick Hyland, and Hillary Pusak. Eric’s credits include “Saint Joan” in New York, and “Sunset Boulevard” at the Fulton Theater. Patrick, who’s been providing technical and box office assistance for ELTC this season, recently worked for FringeArts in Philadelphia. Hillary has performed at Surflight Theater and Ocean City Theater Company in shows including “Guys and Dolls” and “Cinderella.”
Returning to ELTC from the previous year, and beyond, are Jennifer Bissell and Seth James who were in last season’s “The Late Christopher Bean”; John Cameron Weber, Matt Baxter Luceno, and Thomas Raniszewski from “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”; Tom Byrn, from “Lost on the Natchez Trace,” and Ken Glickfeld who was in “Rain” directed by Bruce Minnix. Even ELTC’s technical director Lee O’Connor and artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth will be walking the boards in this big cast show. Gayle also directs, and this marks her 73rd ELTC show as producer.
Joseph Travers choreographed the exciting sword fights in ELTC’s world premiere “Zorro!” and now he’s back to help with “Within the Law.” He directed the fights for the recent Broadway production of “Bronx Bombers.”
“Within the Law” runs through Oct. 12, with an 8:00 p.m. curtain, and a Wednesday through Saturday schedule, except there is no show Oct. 8, and an added show Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. The location is The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes Street, where the company is in residence. Tickets are $30 general admission; $25 senior (age 62 on up); $15 full-time student; and anyone age 12 and under is free. To make reservations, call ELTC at 884-5898, e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com, or purchase directly through the website www.eastlynnetheater.org.