ALICE ON THE EDGE, OVERTONES & More Set For East Lynne's 2009 Season

East Lynne Theater Company, recently voted one of the top two Equity professional theaters in the state in Discover Jersey Arts' "People's Choice Awards," offers an exciting season filled with classic gems and world premieres.

From June 17-July 25, the provocative plays of Alice Gerstenberg take the stage in "Alice on The Edge." Included in this comic evening is "Overtones," one of the most talked about plays of the 1915 Broadway season, featuring for the first time on stage, two characters talking to their alter egos. The Cast includes ELTC favorites SuzAnne Dawson, Mark Edward Lang, Shelley McPherson, Alison J. Murphy, and Gayle Stahlhuth, directed by Karen Case Cook who directed last season's "Helpful Hints" and "The Guardsman." The after-show opening night party on June 17 is at The Washington Inn.

Next up is a world premiere based on O. Henry's "The Ransom of Red Chief," running from July 29-Sept. 5. Two thieves think it would be simple to capture a young boy and demand a ransom for his return. This adaptation is riddled with O. Henry stories and passages, along with Appalachian tunes played by expert fiddle player, Aidan Koehler. The role of Johnny is performed by Bobby LeMaire, who lives in Cape May County. In fact, ELTC's Artistic Director, Gayle Stahlhuth, who also directs, adapted the story just for him. Others in The Cast include Tom Byrn, new to ELTC, Karen Case Cook, and Rob LeMaire, Bobby's father.

Last year's comedy hit, "Household Hints" is back! Susan Tischler, who also performs, explains everything from cleaning the stove with kerosene, to leaving babies outside when they cry. Location: The Chalfonte Hotel, 301 Howard St., with a Thursday through Sunday schedule.
From Sept. 23-Oct. 24, is "The Butter and Egg Man." Before Mel Brooks' 1968 film "The Producers," there was George S. Kaufman's 1925 comedy about producers who need funding for their Broadway show. Last season's Kaufman and Connelly's "To the Ladies!" was so well received, why not bring Kaufman back! The playwright's daughter, Anne Kaufman, plans to return to Cape May to see the show and engage in another after-show Q&A. The Cast includes SuzAnne Dawson, Mark Edward Lang, Alison J. Murphy, Tiffany-Leigh Moskow, Morgan Nichols, Tommy Raniszewski, and Gayle Stahlhuth, who also directs, plus new to ELTC, Justin Flagg, Stephanie Ouzts, and John Cameron Weber.

On Nov. 6 and 7, ELTC's popular Sherlock Holmes' radio-style adventure returns, complete with live sound effects and commercials, just like the 1930 NBC radio series. This time, it's "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle." Lee O'Connor and Fred Velde will once more portray the great detective and the good doctor.

Another world premiere is "Christmas in Black and White," performing on Nov. 27, 28, Dec. 6, 11 and 12. This is Christmas from the point of view of freed slaves to newly-arrived immigrants, adapted and performed by two master storytellers, Stephanie Garrett and Gayle Stahlhuth.

ELTC is helping to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the Founding of Cape May with two events: the Student Workshop production of "Hans Brinker" on July 7 at 8:00, admission-free, and a comic spoof written and performed by Judge Frank Visser, a well-known television personality in The Netherlands, who will be joined by members of ELTC, on Aug. 27 at 8:30. Admission is $10.

Ticket prices for the mainstage shows are $28 general, $23 senior, $13 full-time student, and anyone age 12 and under is free. For "Helpful Hints," "Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle," and the Christmas show, as usual, ELTC knocks off the general admission price, leaving $23 as the highest ticket price.

Savings can be had when purchasing season tickets ($90 for 5 shows) or by bringing in ticket stubs from another ELTC or Cape May Stage production ($3 off). ELTC is partnering with the following for dinner and theater-ticket savings: Aleathea's at The Inn of Cape May, 410 Bank Street, Frescos, The Magnolia Room at The Chalfonte Hotel, The Merion Inn, The Washington Inn, and Church of the Advent. When staying at the Henry Sawyer Inn or The Victorian Lace Inn, tickets may be purchased at these lovely B&Bs for only $18.00.

East Lynne Theater Company is in residence at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., in Cape May, with a Wednesday through Saturday schedule. For reservations and information, call 609-884-5898, or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org. New this year, if using a credit card to purchase season or separate show tickets, patrons may call 866-280-9211 directly for the transaction.

Photo is of SuzAnne Dawson and Tiffany-Leigh Moskow.
Photo Credit: Gayle Stahlhuth

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