ELTC to Offer RODGERS' ROMANCE After-Show Q&A, 6/24

For those who didn't have the opportunity to meet the cast and crew of East Lynne Theater Company's "Rodgers' Romance" at the after-show party at The Washington Inn on June 15, another chance is to be had on Friday, June 24 at an after-show Q&A. It's a wonderful opportunity for patrons to ask actors and directors such questions as "why do they do what they do?" and "how do they do it?"

"Rodgers' Romance" is an exciting musical revue filled with well-known songs by Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein. The inventive staging and accompaniment engages the hearts and minds of the audience. No microphones are used, allowing singers' voices to be heard naturally in the excellent acoustics of The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, where the award-winning Equity professional ELTC is in residence.

Every night, the audience has the opportunity to take part in a trivia competition in which the winner receives a gift certificate to a local restaurant that's supported and/or partnered with ELTC for several years: A Ca Mia, Aleathea's at The Inn of Cape May, 410 Bank Street, Frescos, The Blue Rose Inn and Restaurant, The Washington Inn, and Pier House Restaurant.

David-Michael Kenney, known as "DMK," directed "Rodgers' Romance." He created this unique revue for Sellersville Theatre in 2004 and reprised it at Act II Playhouse in Ambler, PA in 2007. He has staged cabaret performances for Julie Wilson, Jane Norman (aka Pixanne), Rosie Carlino and Lois Sage and his directing work ranges from "Pirates of Penzance" to "Always Patsy Cline."

Charles Gilbert is the musical director and accompanist. He headed the Musical Theater Program at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia from its inception in 1990 until 2008, and served from 2008 to 2013 as Director of the Ira Brind School of Theater Arts at UArts. He is a two-time Barrymore Award nominee for his music direction at The Arden Theater in Philadelphia, and he recently served as music director for the premiere production of "The Three Maries" at the Prince Theater.

The talented cast of four are all new to ELTC: Patrick Burr, Clare O'Malley, Maggie Johnson, and Aaron Bell.

Recently, Patrick toured with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and appeared in Kenneth Branagh's "Macbeth" at the Park Avenue Armory in New York.

Clare has performed in and around the Philadelphia area in such works as "Threepenny Opera" at The Arden. In her native Ireland, she performed in "Grease" at the Gaiety Theater, "The Dead" at The Abbey, and "The Last Summer" at The Gate Theater.

Maggie and Aaron have also worked extensively in the Philadelphia area and both appeared together in "An Octoroon" at The Wilma and "Bitter Homes and Gardens" at Bearded Ladies Cabaret. Aaron was also recently in "A Single Shard" at People's Light. Maggie was in "The Children's Hour" at The Arden, and appeared in HBO's "Masterclass Series with Patti Lupone."

This exciting revue runs four nights a week, Wednesdays through Saturdays, at 8:30 p.m. from June 15 through July 23 at the historic First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May. Tickets are $32.00; $27.00 for seniors; $17 for students and those in the military or a veteran. Age 12 and under are free. Season tickets are available until July 1. For more information and to make a reservation, call 609-884-5898 or visit www.eastlynnetheater.org.

Photo by Gayle Stahlhuth

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