East Lynne Theater Company Presents ‘Within the Law’

CAPE MAY – “I can buy all the law I want. And there’s nothing you can’t do with the law, if you have money,” tells Mary Turner to Police Inspector Burke of the New York City Police Department. He’d like nothing more than to catch her in a crime, but with the help of a smart lawyer, she is able to stay just as the title of the play implies – “Within the Law.”
The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company presents the 1912 Broadway sensation, “Within the Law,” from Sept. 17 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.
Running for almost two years, “Within the Law” was the most popular and financially successful play to hit Broadway in ten years. The story of how 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. Growing up poor in Brooklyn, Veiller spent many years as a police reporter covering crime in Manhattan before becoming a successful playwright, screenwriter, director, producer, and short-story writer.
There are several opportunities to meet the talented thirteen-member cast. On opening night, Sept. 17, there is an after-show party at Aleathea’s Restaurant at The Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St., at no additional cost. Sept. 26, is an after-show Q&A with the cast and crew. A special after-show reception is slated for Oct. 3, to be held at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, with homemade tasty treats. The cost is only $10 and two-thirds of profits will go to The Food Closet.
Playing Mary Turner is Meredith Lark whose credits include “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” at New London Barn Playhouse (NH) and “Unville Brazil” in New York. This is her first ELTC appearance.
Also new to ELTC are Eric Stephenson, Patrick Hyland, and Hillary Pusak. Eric, who plays the thief Eddie Griggs, has New York credits that include “Saint Joan.” Playing another thief, Tom Dacey, is Patrick Hyland, who’s been providing technical assistance for ELTC this season, and recently worked for FringeArts in Philadelphia. Hillary portrays Helen, a sales clerk at the store where Mary works. She 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. Stahlhuth 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.”
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.