East Lynne to Present ‘Sherlock Holmes’

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March 5, 2012

CAPE MAY – “We’re not getting all the evidence. Unless some lucky chance comes our way, I fear that the Norwood Disappearance Case will not figure in that chronicle of our successes.” Sherlock Holmes is speaking to his loyal friend Dr. Watson. They are trying desperately to prove that a young lawyer did not commit murder, while Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard is convinced of it.
Step back in time Fri., March 16 and Sat., March 17 at 8:00 p.m., when ELTC presents Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes’ Adventure of the Norwood Builder” in the style of a radio broadcast, complete with live sound effects and commercials. Artistic Director Gayle Stahlhuth wrote the script.
Lee O’Connor is once more portraying Holmes, and Fred Velde returns as Watson. Lee first portrayed Holmes in ELTC’s William Gillette’s “Sherlock Holmes” and has become one of the main storytellers for the company’s “Tales of the Victorians.” Fred, who was in ELTC’s “Anna Christie,” “Rain,” and “Dulcy,” has appeared in over fifty shows in NYC, including the off-Broadway revival of Mae West’s “Sex.”
Portraying several other roles are Thomas Raniszewski, James Rana, Gayle Stahlhuth, and Rob LeMaire. Thomas was in the Philadelphia premiere of “The Twentieth Century Way,” which was so well-received that he and the play will be seen again in Philadelphia in May. ELTC shows include “Berkeley Square” and “Why Marry?” Actor, writer, and variety artist, James Rana, has performed throughout North America and Europe. He was the featured performer at ELTC’s fall 2011 fundraiser, and adapted “The Poe Mysteries,” which will have its world premiere on ELTC’s Mainstage this summer before the production travels to the newly formed Ocean Professional Theatre Company in Barnegat in October. Gayle recently performed “Christmas Presents from the Past” for ELTC, and directs. Rob LeMaire, who appeared in several ELTC productions including “The Dictator” and “The Ransom of Red Chief,” is also portraying several roles, and operating the sound effects.
Performances are at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., where the company is in residence. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for full-time students, and, as always, anyone age 12 and under is free. For information and reservations, call 884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org. “Adventure of the Norwood Builder” is part of Cape May’s “Sherlock Holmes’ Weekend.” For other Sherlock Holmes’ events, contact The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities at 884-5404 or online at www.capemaymac.org.
ELTC’s performances of “Sherlock Holmes’ Adventure of the Norwood Builder” is also part of New Jersey Theatre Alliance’s (NJTA) “The Stages Festival,” a month-long, state-wide celebration of theater with discounted and/or free tickets to events for all ages. ELTC is offering two-for-the-price-of-one general admission ticket price for the Friday performance of “The Norwood Builder” as part of the “Stages Festival’s” offerings, before the show travels to libraries in Ocean and Bergen Counties.
ELTC is offering several admission-free events in March. Tues., March 13 at 1:00 p.m. is “100 Years of Wildwood,” a student performance at Glenwood Avenue Elementary School (2900 New York Ave. in Wildwood.) Marketing is funded through NJTA’s “Stages Festival,” but the residency is directly funded through a grant from Target, an organization that since 1946, has given 5% of its income to the communities they serve.
Fri., March 23 from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., at The First Presbyterian Church, Tom Byrn is teaching a “Free Acting Class” for ages 16 on up. His focus will be improvisation and the basics of scene work. No experience necessary, but reservations are recommended – and wear comfortable clothes.
Thur., March 29 at 7:00 p.m., is “The Wizard of Oz” performed by students at West Cape May Elementary School, 301 Moore St.