A YEAR IN THE TRENCHES Returns to East Lynne Theater Company

Meet Dilkes, poet Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918), pilot Kenneth Russell Unger (1898-1979), nurse Amabel Scharff Roberts (1891-1918), "Hello Girl" Grace Banker (1892-1960) and other Americans who went to Europe when the United States entered World War I in 1918. "A Year in the Trenches" is based on Dilkes' book "Remembering World War I: An Engineer's Diary of the War," and other historical sources. Many of the real-life characters are from New Jersey, including two brothers from Cape May. Live music from the period is performed throughout, and the audience is encouraged to join in on two songs.

The script, written by James Rana and developed with Gayle Stahlhuth, was commissioned by the NJ Historical Commission and the NJ State Council on the Arts. Staged readings of a one-hour version of "Trenches" were performed at The Bickford Theatre in Morristown, the Ocean County Public Library in Toms River, McGuire Air Force Base/Fort Dix, the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, and two performances at the Ocean County College Theater, which included 690 students, grades 4 - 8.

"A Year in the Trenches" with interviews with the creative team was highlighted last fall on a segment of "State of the Arts" on NJTV.

The talented cast of six includes Osborn Focht, Ryan Genauldi, Matt Baxter Luceno, Mike Newman, Tara Reuter, and Hillary Wilson.

Focht's credits include "Paul Simon's The Capeman," on Broadway and "The Magdalene, Kristina the Musical" at Carnegie and Royal Albert Halls and recorded on the Decca label. His film work includes playing Verne in "Bad Parents." Genualdi, a graduate from Drew University, recently performed in "Not Now, Darling" at The Bickford Theatre. "A Year in the Trenches" last fall was the first time for both of them to perform for ELTC.

The other cast members are familiar to ELTC audiences. Luceno ("The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"), has worked for La MaMa E.T.C. and the Red Bull Theater in NYC. Regional work includes "King Lear" with Stacy Keach at Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington D.C. Newman ("Biography"), was in "Life is a Dream" in NYC and "Peter and the Starcatcher" at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse in NH. Reuter ("Dracula") was in the national touring production of "Encore!" and "Love, Sex, and the IRS" at The Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. Wilson ("Within the Law") has been in several shows at the Ocean City Theatre Company, was in Surflight's "South Pacific," and The History Channel's "Happy Yummy Chicken" starring Taryn Manning.

This marks James Rana's fifth collaboration as a playwright with Gayle Stahlhuth and ELTC. His on stage work with ELTC includes "Dracula" and "Strictly Dishonorable." Last summer, he performed in Off-Broadway's "The Government Inspector" and has been with Broadway's "The Band's Visit" since the first day of rehearsal last fall, mainly as understudy for the role created by Tony Shalhoub.

Stahlhuth is directing. When this play was produced last fall, it marked her 100th show she's produced for ELTC since becoming the company's artistic director in 1999.

"A Year in the Trenches" runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM from May 16-26, except on Wednesday, May 23, there is a 2:00 PM matinee, with no show at night. School groups are encouraged to attend this matinee, with a ticket price of only $10 per student. On opening night, May 16, it's "Pay What You Can" as a thank you to the Cape May Community.

The location is the First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes Street. Information/reservations: 609-884-5898, eastlynneco@aol.com, or www.eastlynnetheater.org.

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