East Lynne Theater Company Presents “The Late Christopher Bean”

CAPE MAY – The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company, after a successful summer, continues its exciting 33rd season into the fall with “The Late Christopher Bean,” a comedy, with a cast of nine, under the direction of ELTC’s artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth.
Written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Sidney Howard, this 1932 Broadway hit is about the value of “art.” After his death, Christopher Bean is heralded as a great artist, and the art world now wants his work. But did a New England family destroy his paintings, misplace them, or hide them?
“It’s a play that has remained fresh and funny, proving once again that a strong script is rarely tarnished by time,” wrote Ken Jaworowski in “The New York Times.”
“The Late Christopher Bean” takes place in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Haggett, played by Bradley Mott and Alison J. Murphy. Before moving to the East Coast several years ago, Bradley performed in the Chicago area with Steppenwolf, under Frank Galati’s direction, and the Goodman Theatre. Recently, he’s worked for these New Jersey theaters: Centenary Stage (“A Laughing Matter”), Two Rivers Theatre (“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”), and Shadow Lawn Stage (“25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”). He’s in the Coen Brothers’ latest film coming out in December, “Inside Llewyn Davis.” Alison recently performed in a staged reading of the first Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Why Marry?” directed by Gayle Stahlhuth and produced by ELTC at the historic Players Club in NYC. She has performed in several ELTC productions including “The Guardsman.” New York credits include “Aurora Leigh,” “Mary of Shippensburg” and “The Wound of Love.”
The Haggett’s daughters are played by Francesca Mondelli and Jennifer Bissell. Francesca recently worked in Seattle as a company member with Annex Theatre, performing in “Kittens in a Cage” and “Sideshow.” New York credits include “The Hotel Project” and “The Anniversary of Lilly Van Poof.” Jennifer just finished performing in “Mame” with Andrea McArdle at Bucks County Playhouse and Media Theater in Pennsylvania. She appears on the Onion News Network and in New York, was in “The Power of Darkness” at the Mint Theater and “The Great Pie Robbery” at Theatre 80 St. Marks.
Taking on the role of Warren, who hopes to marry one of the daughters and make a living as an artist, is Seth James. Seth recently performed in “To Kill a Mockingbird” at Bristol Valley Theater in Naples, NY, and “Luft Gangster” directed by Austin Pendleton, in New York City. Other City credits include “The Rover” and “You Never Can Tell.”
Three men from the New York art scene who visit the Haggetts seeking the artwork of Christopher Bean, are portrayed by Craig Fols, Mark Edward Lang and Rob LeMaire. Craig performed with Colleen Dewhurst, was featured in a Dr. Pepper commercial that premiered on the Super Bowl, and his New York theater credits include the world premiere of “Nasty Little Secrets” and “The Musical of Musicals.” Mark has appeared in several ELTC productions including “The Poe Mysteries” and “The Butter and Egg Man.” Off-Broadway credits include “Welcome Home Marian Anderson” that went on to tour extensively, including an engagement at the Clinton Presidential Center in Arkansas. Rob has also appeared in several ELTC productions including “To the Ladies” and “The Ransom of Red Chief.” He can be seen in “Vistas of Democracy,” a video in NJTV’s Educational “NJ Legacy Series” and the History Channel’s “Civil War Terror.”
Playing the role of Abby, the maid, is Maria Silverman, who played the Countess in last season’s ELTC production of “It Pays to Advertise.” Recently she was in “Ants” at New Jersey Repertory Company and “A View from the Bridge” on Broadway is one of her many credits.
Playwright Sidney Howard (1891-1939) flew planes referred to as “flaming coffins” during World War I. In 1924, he won the Pulitzer Prize for “They Knew What They Wanted,” which Frank Loesser turned into the musical “The Most Happy Fella” in 1957. When movies started talking in 1927, Hollywood sought Broadway playwrights, and Howard went west, becoming known for his adaptations. In 1936, he tackled “Gone with the Wind.” When producer David O. Selznick wanted revisions, Howard refused, so others including F. Scott Fitzgerald were summoned. The final script was still mostly Howard’s, resulting in him receiving the Oscar for Best Screen Adaptation. He was awarded posthumously. On August 23, 1939, he had been crushed by a tractor.
“The Late Christopher Bean” runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., from Sept. 18 to Oct. 13, except there is no show on Oct. 9, and an added show on Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. On opening night, Sept. 18, there is an after-show party at Aleathea’s at The Inn of Cape May. It’s a great opportunity to mingle with theater professionals and fellow theater lovers. On Friday, September 27, is an after-show Q&A with the cast and crew.
Tickets are $30 general admission; $25 senior (age 62 and over); $15 full-time students; and ages 12 and under are free. The location is The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes Street, Cape May, where ELTC is in residence. For more information and reservations, call 609-884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org.
This production would not be possible without season sponsors Curran Investment Management, Aleathea’s Restaurant, and The Henry Sawyer Inn; show sponsor Exit Zero; funding received through a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism, a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and the generosity of many patrons.