CAPE MAY – They love, they fight, they make up, they care for each other – it’s a marriage. The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company presents “The First Fifty Years,” a dramatic-comedy that shows the ups and downs of a marriage in seven scenes, each during a pivotal anniversary. Beginning right after their honeymoon in 1872, seven years after the end of the Civil War, the play marks the lives of Anne and Martin Wells up to their golden anniversary at the beginning of the Roaring ‘20s, in 1922.
ELTC’s artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth tracked down the only known script of this forgotten gem at the Billy Rose Collection at Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts in NYC. What intrigued her about the play was, that although written over 90 years ago, the dialogue is still fresh, proving that the decade may be different but the dreams and discussions remain the same.
Jan de Hartog covered the same territory with his 1952 Tony Award-winning play “The Fourposter” that covers 35 years of a marriage from 1890-1925, and was adapted into the musical, “I Do! I Do!” but “The First Fifty Years” came first.
Playing on Broadway in 1922, “The First Fifty Years” was the first success of Henry Myers (1893-1975). Born in Chicago, Myers and his mother moved to Manhattan before music at Columbia University, he met lyricist Lorenz Hart, who produced “The First Fifty Years” at the Princess Theater. Like many Broadway playwrights after the Crash of ’29, Myers looked West for work. He accepted a two-year contract with Paramount Pictures, and stayed in California for almost twenty years. His numerous screenplays include “Million Dollar Legs” (1932) and “Destry Rides Again” (1939).
Playing the roles of Anne and Martin Wells are Beckley Andrews and Samuel Douglas Clark, both new to ELTC. Beckley’s credits include a national tour of “Grease” with Frankie Avalon, New York City Opera’s “Cendrillon,” and the Broadway production of “Gypsy” starring Patti LuPone under the direction of Arthur Laurents. Sam recently arrived from Australia where he worked on a range of projects including developing and performing in two new Australian works, “April’s Fool” by David Burton and “Often I Find That I am Naked” by Fiona Sprott, both of which toured nationally. Other credits include the Queensland Premiere of “The Lieutenant of Inishmore” by Martin McDonagh.
“The First Fifty Years” runs from June 11 through July 19, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30 p.m., except there is no show on Friday, July 4, and an added show July 6. The location is the First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., where the company is in residence.
On opening night, June 11, there is an after-show party at Pier House Restaurant, 1317 Beach Ave., near La Mer Beachfront Inn. June 20, is an after-show Q&A immediately following the show. An American Sign Language interpreted performance is July 11.
New this year, is our special After-Show Receptions that take place downstairs at the First Presbyterian Church. June 27, is our first one, after “The First Fifty Years.” The cost is only $10 for tasty homemade hors d’oeuvres and another opportunity to meet Beckley and Sam. All proceeds from these evenings will be split between The Food Closet and the nonprofit ELTC.
Ticket prices are $30 for general admission, $25 for seniors and those with disabilities, $15 for students, and ages twelve and under are free. Season tickets are $80 for four shows and may be purchased at the box office, through ELTC’s website, by phone, or by sending a check to the office: 121 Fourth Ave., West Cape May, NJ 08204. Season tickets are flexible, even allowing patrons to use all four for one performance if they wish, but must be purchased by July 1.
To make reservations, call ELTC at 884-5898, or e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com. Learn more about this show and the other five coming up through mid-December, as well as our touring roster and educational outreach, by going to our website, www.eastlynnetheater.org.
East Lynne’s production season would not be possible without season sponsors Curran Investment Management, Aleathea’s Restaurant, The Henry Sawyer Inn, La Mer Beachfront Inn; and The Washington Inn, as well as funding from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism; New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Dept. of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; and the generosity of many patrons.
Stone Harbor – Over 10 employees levaving the municipality in a little over a year is shocking. Council is wearing blinders – at this point if you cant see the problem you need to resign!
