ELTC and MAC Present Ghostly Trolley Rides

Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities

and East Lynne Theater Company present

"Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides."

"You counted up yesterday how many there'd be, and you said twelve, so I set the table for twelve," said Pauline.

"Well, I don't see how I made such a blunder," her mother replied. "There are only eleven of us, after all."

"It's a sign somebody's comin'," said Pauline.

Thus begins the eerie, but sweet tale of "The Twelfth Guest" by Mary Wilkins Freeman, in which a strange young woman appears suddenly for Christmas dinner, and stays for awhile.

This tale is one of three stories that are part of the repertoire of the "Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides," co-sponsored by The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities (MAC) and the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company. The other ghostly stories are based on Mary Wilkins Freeman's "The Christmas Masquerade" and "Old Applejoy's Ghost" by Frank R. Stockton. "The Christmas Masquerade" is about an unusual costumer who, when children don his creations, behave like the outfit, i.e., pauper's children dressed as princesses behave like royalty, and banker's daughters behave like shepherdesses. "Old Applejoy's Ghost" is about a ghost who lives in the attic who is fearful that his granddaughter will not have the Christmas she deserves. All three stories were adapted for storytelling by Gayle Stahlhuth, and two of them will be told on one ride.

Listen to these classic American ghostly tales, told in a dark trolley, while the twinkling lights of the beautifully decorated homes and streets are seen through the windows of the heated vehicle.

The "spirited" thirty-minute rides begin and end at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth. Tickets are only $12 for adults and $8 for children, ages 3-12, and run several nights a week through January 2.

Once again, the main costumed storyteller is Frank Smith, who was the first person to portray Dr. Physick for MAC's tour of the Physick Estate, and has performed for ELTC in William Gillette's "Sherlock Holmes" and for "Tales of the Victorians," ELTC's popular storytelling event at various venues during the summer and fall.

Reservations are strongly suggested and can be made by calling MAC at 884-5404. If tickets are available the day of the tour, they will be sold at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth.

Meanwhile, on the mainstage of ELTC is "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus" based on the novel by L. Frank Baum who wrote "The Wizard of Oz." Only four shows left: December 10, 11 and 12 at 8:00p.m., with a 2:00p.m. matinee on Saturday, December 12. The location is The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May. Tickets are $25 for general admission; $15 for students and military (active or retired); and free for ages 12 and under. For information or reservations: call 609-884-5898, e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com, or visit the web site at www.eastlynnetheater.org. Season tickets for 2016 are available and make an excellent Christmas present: 4 shows for only $88 and tickets may be used in a variety of ways.

Photo of Frank Smith, performer for ELTC's and MAC's "Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides" running through January 2. Photo Credit: Gayle Stahlhuth.

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