ELTC to Host MR. LINCOLN Student Matinee, 5/11

On Wednesday, May 11, there will be a 2:00 p.m. matinee of "Mr. Lincoln," primarily scheduled for school groups. This one-person play about the 16th President had such a successful run for the Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company last summer, that the company is bringing it back for a full two-week run before taking the show to Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.

Already schools have expressed interest in attending, but there is room for more. The play is appropriate for students who have studied Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, primarily middle school students, on up.

. Most of Herbert Mitgang's play is taken directly from Lincoln's own writings and speeches. Act I focuses on Lincoln's life from his early days as a flatboatman on the Mississippi River, his law practice, and meeting Mary Todd, to being elected President. Act II is his Presidency. Each act runs an hour, and Act I stands by itself if there are some schools that cannot stay for both acts.

Howard Shapiro, for WHYY Public TV and Radio last summer, gave "Mr. Lincoln" an excellent review stating that Tom Byrn's performance was a "tour de force." "Mr. Lincoln" marks the seventh ELTC production for Mr. Byrn. Recent performances include "One Slight Hitch" at Cider Mill Playhouse in Endicott, NY and "Circle Mirror Transformation" at The REP Stage located near Washington D.C. This past December, he taught theater to students in an after-school program in Istanbul.

Playwright Herbert Mitgang (1920-2013) wrote two books on the 16th President before he wrote the play, "Mr. Lincoln." It ran on Broadway in 1980, was performed at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C., and at theaters in Canada, England and Australia, before it launched "Hallmark Hall of Fame" on PBS.

Helping to create the "Lincoln Look" is hair and make-up designer Dave Bova. His Broadway credits include "Wicked," "Memphis," and "Spamalot." Marion Brady, whose costumes for ELTC's production of "It Pays to Advertise" were on display in December, 2013 at Drumthwacket, the New Jersey's Governor's mansion near Princeton, created the costume.

Gayle Stahlhuth, who directed "Mr. Lincoln," has served as the company's artistic director since 1999, and first began performing for ELTC shortly after Warren Kliewer founded the company in 1980.

Tickets for students, teachers, and guardians are $10 each for groups size 15 on up. Group rates are available for those other than students. For bookings, contact Gayle Stahlhuth preferably via e-mail, eastlynneco@aol.com, however, the phone is 609-884-5898.

General prices are $32; $27 for seniors (age 62+); $17 for students and military (active or retired); and as always ages 12 and under are free. So, if any students happen to be age 12 on May 11, they may attend for free.

"Mr. Lincoln" also has performances in Cape May on May 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, and 21 at 8:00 p.m. at the historic First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May, where the company is in residence. For more information, visit the website, www.eastlynnetheater.org.

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