East Lynne Theater Company Welcomes New Cast Member to “The World of Dorothy Parker”

CAPE MAY – The old adage is “the show must go on,” and indeed it did last week as “The World of Dorothy Parker” continues its scheduled run through September 3 at the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company.
On Friday, July 29, artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth received a phone call that no producer wants to hear. Tiffany-Leigh Moskow, one of the four ensemble performers in the world premiere “Parker” piece that had just opened on July 27, injured her foot while going down a flight of stairs. The call came at 5:30p.m. while Stahlhuth and her husband, ELTC’s technical director, Lee O’Connor, were sitting down to supper at home before leaving for the company’s venue, The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May. They usually arrive at 7:00p.m. for the 8:30p.m. curtain.
At the time of the call, Moskow was on her way to Urgent Care, where she found out that the foot was probably broken. An appointment with an orthopedic surgeon was arranged for Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, at 5:35p.m. Friday, Stahlhuth grabbed a dress from ELTC’s 1920’s wardrobe collection, conveniently located in the upstairs garage, and O’Connor and she went to The Presbyterian Church. As the actors arrived, they were informed that Stahlhuth would replace Moskow in the group scenes where there is dancing and much ensemble movement, and that Moskow would still do the scenes, “Here We Are,” where she sits on a train, and “The Lovely Leave,” where her blocking was changed to sitting.
On Monday, Moskow was informed that she has a hairline fracture, but is still able to perform in the two above-mentioned scenes, and her mobility is increasing. The company is pleased that she, along with Stahlhuth, will continue to perform through Saturday, August 6, turning the ensemble of four into an ensemble of five. The wit and wisdom of Dorothy Parker is still well-served, and audiences are thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Megan McDermott, who played Helen Pettigrew in last season’s “Berkeley Square,” and will be playing the title role in ELTC’s fall production of “Dulcy,” is feverishly working on lines. Due to scheduling conflicts, she is unable to leave her Manhattan home until next week. After a few rehearsals with fellow “Parker” actors Drew Seltzer, Suzanne Dawson, and John Cameron Weber, McDermott’s first performance will be on Wednesday, August 10, and she will continue through September 3, the end of the run.
Aside from performing with ELTC, McDermott has also performed at The Wilma Theater and EgoPo Productions in Philadelphia, McCarter Theatre, and The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. In NYC, she recently performed in “The Three Sisters,” “The Erpinigham Camp,” and “Big Love.”
Theater is, indeed, a collaborative effort, and ELTC is fortunate to have a troupe of professional actors who work beautifully together, and, now, an actor who is working with an injured foot, and another who is willing to come into a show after the show has opened. Both situations are difficult and ELTC could not be prouder of the work of Moskow, who created the various roles in this ensemble work and McDermott, who is stepping into the roles. Much credit, too, goes to fellow actors Seltzer, Dawson, and Weber, who had to suddenly work with Stahlhuth on stage, while making Moskow as comfortable as possible, and to change their busy schedules so they can go back into rehearsal with McDermott.
“The World of Dorothy Parker,” based on the works of the famous Algonquin Round Table wit, is adapted and directed by Gayle Stahlhuth, and runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30p.m. through September 3 at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes Street, where the company is in residence.
Tickets are $30 for general admission; $25 for seniors and those with disabilities and their support companions; $15 for students; and anyone age twelve and under is free. For information and to make reservations, call 609-884-5898 or go online at www.eastlynnetheater.org.
The production of “The World of Dorothy Parker” would not be possible without season sponsors Curran Investment Management, Aleathea’s Restaurant, and La Mer Beachfront Inn; funding received through grants from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; and the generosity of many patrons.