CAPE MAY – The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company, a proven destination for theater lovers who crave the adventure of discovery, announces its 2013 Cape May Mainstage Season. As usual, it includes classical gems, a world premiere, and a radio show.
In March and Nov., ELTC’s popular Sherlock Holmes’ radio-style adventure returns, complete with live sound effects and commercials. It’s “The Adventure of the Norwood Builder” in March, back for its final performances. Evidence points to a young lawyer as a murderer, but is he being set up, or is he the murderer after all? “The Adventure of the Copper Beeches” is November’s offering. A governess believes there are strange happenings at the estate where she’s employed. Both adventures are interesting puzzles for Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
From June 12 to July 20, it’s “Lost on the Natchez Trace” by Jan Buttram. The year is 1825 and slave auctioneer Malcolm Jeters is headed home when he falls from his mule in Mississippi’s Natchez Trace. Injured and starving, he yells for help. The only one who appears, is a runaway slave. The question is, who will save whom in this compelling new play. When ELTC’s artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth saw the play last winter at Abingdon Theatre Company in NYC, she knew she’d like to produce it. Jan is thrilled to be revising her play, and it will have its New Jersey Premiere in Cape May.
Next up is “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” from July 24 to Aug. 31, a World Premiere, adapted by James Rana from the story by Washington Irving. When Ichabod Crane comes to town, he quickly learns about the ghosts who haunt the area. None are as frightening as The Headless Horseman. No one dare say the name lest he rise up to terrorize the people of Tarrytown. But are the ghosts real – or imagined? Like James’ “The Poe Mysteries” that premiered last season at ELTC, a cast of six play many roles. Also like “Poe,” the show travels up to Ocean Professional Theatre Company in Barnegat, NJ in Oct.
Then it’s the delightful comedy, “The Late Christopher Bean,” running from Sept. 18 to Oct. 13, a 1932 Broadway sensation by Pulitzer-prize winner Sidney Howard. Strangers visit a New England country doctor, looking for artwork from one of his patients – the late Christopher Bean. The doctor and his family didn’t like Bean’s paintings until they were told their value. In fact, the doctor’s wife remembers burning some of them. The fun begins when everyone scrambles to recover what now appears to be precious works of art.
For the holidays from Nov. 29 to Dec. 14, it’s “Christmas with Harte and O. Henry,” holiday tales from the old West written by Bret Harte and O. Henry, brought beautifully to life in storytelling fashion by Gayle Stahlhuth. A holiday treat for the whole family.
ELTC will once again have the Student Summer Theater Workshop in June and July, culminating in a performance, and other special events include a silent film festival with live organ accompaniment.
Season Tickets are only $80 for four shows, and tickets may be used in several ways, including using all at one performance, or seeing four different shows. They may be purchased by sending a check to ELTC’s office at 121 Fourth Ave., West Cape May, NJ 08204, through ELTC’s website at www.eastlynnetheater.org, or at the box office when there is a performance. For questions, call 609-884-5898. General admission price is $30, so Season Tickets result in quite a savings, and make a great gift.
This Dec. 14 at 8:00 p.m. is the final performance of “Louisa May Alcott’s Christmas,” with $5 of every ticket sold going to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to help those needing aid due to Hurricane Sandy. The performance is at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May.
Throughout the year, ELTC has shows-on-the-road and educational outreach. Anyone interested in placing an ad in next season’s playbill or being a Season or Show Sponsor, or volunteering, let the company know. And, being a nonprofit cultural organization, tax-deductible donations are always appreciated.
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