East Lynne Theater Company Presents CHRISTMAS IN BLACK AND WHITE, Begins 11/27

"Boston harbor, 1895, a gray morning, the deck wet, the iron all beaded with frost, all the longshoremen in heavy pea-jackets, the whole ship in a bustle, and the favored first-class passengers just leaving. Among the hundreds of people going and coming, pushing and hauling, stands Nora, an Irish girl, her knitted hood already covered with frost, and tears hanging from her black eyelashes.

The poor thing looks right and left and up the pier and down the pier - and in that whole crowd of busy people - her big brother is not there, as he promised to be and should be."
Thus begins one of Edward Everett Hales' Christmas stories, "9 Linwood Street," one of several that are part of East Lynne Theater Company's world premiere, "Christmas in Black and White." Based on the writings of American authors, its holiday time from the point of view of African-Americans and newly arrived immigrants from 1845-1935, adapted and interpreted by two master storytellers: Stephanie Garrett and Gayle Stahlhuth. Garrett is a popular participant in ELTC's "Tales of the Victorians." Last season, Stahlhuth presented "O. Henry's Christmas Stories" as a solo show, portraying over thirty different characters, for which Jacob Schaad, reviewer for "The Gazette," awarded her the "Jacoby Award" for the year's Best Female Performer.

The tales are told in storytelling fashion, where each performer portrays multiple roles. With the flick of a wrist, the bend of the waist and the change in the tone of voice, a character can come to life in a heartbeat. Tales included are based on the works of Zora Neale Hurston, T. Thomas Fortune, Chester Himes, Edward Everett Hale, and local resident, Chris Clemans's story about the Whaler's Cottage and the Coachman family who owned it, right here in Cape May County.

Performances of "Christmas in Black and White" are on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28, Sunday, December 6, Friday, December 11, and Saturday, December 12 at 8:30p.m., where the company is in residence, at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May. Tickets are $23 general admission; $13 for full-time students; and anyone age 12 and under is free. For reservations and information, call 884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org. To make a reservation using a credit card, call 866-280-9211.

Gayle Stahlhuth is in her eleventh year as ELTC's Artistic Director, and as such, has directed over half of the 54 shows she's produced, including "Why Marry?," the first play to win the Pulitzer Prize. She's appeared in Off-Broadway, regional, touring productions, and on the Chautauqua circuit. Recently, she performed in the five-character musical "One Man Band" starring Broadway-veteran Ken Jennings, written by James Lecesne and Marc Elliott, with music by Emmy-winner Larry Hochman, at Luna Stage.

Stephanie Garrett is a storyteller, who has worked at Historic Cold Spring Village and appeared in ELTC's "Women and the Vote," "Rain" and "The People of Cape May v. Johan van Buren." She is also a favorite short-story performer for ELTC's popular "Tales of the Victorians," where members of ELTC read American classics on the porches of B&Bs to the delight of tourists and locals - a favorite Cape May pastime, and is past President of the Greater Cape May Historical Society.
Season tickets for the 2010 Mainstage Season of ELTC, now celebrating its 30th year, are available and make a great present! Only $90 for five terrific shows.

"Christmas in Black and White" would not be possible without season sponsors Curran Investment Management, Aleathea's Restaurant, La Mer Beachfront Inn, and funding received through a grant from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism, a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and the generosity of many patrons.

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