East Lynne Theater Company's 37th Season Continues!

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company continues its 37th season in June. This year's theme is "The American Dream."

From June 14 to July 23, with an 8:30 p.m. curtain, it's "Will Rogers' U.S.A." about the famous humorist, philosopher, writer, and humanitarian. Taking on the role of the iconic cowboy is Tom Byrn, who portrayed the 16th President in ELTC's "Mr. Lincoln." The play was created for James Whitmore, who performed this one-person show for television and on stage for thirty years. As is the case with many ELTC productions, scripts can be difficult to find, and this one was no exception since it's never been published.

Next up is "Ah, Wilderness!" from July 26 to September 2, with an 8:00 p.m. curtain, Eugene O'Neill's only comedy, with a cast of 14. Taking place during the July 4th weekend in 1906 in a small Connecticut town, it offers a gentle portrait of family values, teenage growing pains, and young love. When it premiered on Broadway in 1933, George M. Cohan portrayed Nat Miller, the father. Will Rogers took on the role when it toured.

On Sunday, August 13, ELTC presents "Someone Must Wash the Dishes: An Anti-Suffrage Satire," co-sponsored with Cape May Forum. Marie Jenney Howe, a pro-suffragist, wrote this comic monologue in 1912 - eight years before women won the vote. Her fictional speaker is a charming enthusiast who believes that her efforts as an anti-suffragist will keep the Home intact-and save the Nation from anarchy. Performer Michele LaRue, who has been touring the country for over 25 years with various one-person shows, is giving a lecture followed by a Q&A, directly after the performance.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the United States entering World War I, it's "A Year in the Trenches," ELTC's fifth world premiere written by James Rana, running from September 20 to October 14. The focus is on men and women from New Jersey who served, and the creation of this script received support from the NJ State Council on the Arts and the NJ Historical Commission. Staged readings of a one-hour version of the play were performed at The Bickford Theatre in Morristown in March due to funding from the NJ Theatre Alliance's Stages Festival and at the Ocean County Public Library in Toms River, sponsored by the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission. In July, readings will be at McGuire/Fort Dix in Lakewood and in October, at the Ocean County Community College, where the first of two performances is already sold out to 450 high school students. The schedule for the full-length performances in Cape May include a special 2:00 matinee on Wednesday, October 11 for school and other groups. Live music of the period is performed throughout by the talented cast of six.

On November 3 and 4, another radio-style production returns, "Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Speckled Band," written by Craig Wichman, with live sound effects and commercials.

From November 24 to December 9, it's "Louisa May Alcott's Christmas," based on the opening chapters of "Little Women," "What the Bells Saw and Said," and other writings by the famous author, adapted and performed by Gayle Stahlhuth.

ELTC will once again have the Student Summer Workshop in June and July, culminating in an admission-free performance of "Robin Hood" on Monday, July 3. Other special events include a Sunday Silent Film Series and the 28th season of "Tales of the Victorians" which includes "Poe by Candlelight" on October 21.

Most performances are from Wednesday through Saturday evenings, with a Sunday performances for "Someone Must Wash the Dishes," "A Year in the Trenches," and "Louisa May Alcott's Christmas," which also has a Saturday matinee. The location is The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes Street, where the company is in residence. Tickets are $32; $27 for seniors (age 62 and over, and those with disabilities and their support companions); $17 for students and military (active/retired/veteran); and ages 12 and under are free. Season tickets are available until July 1, cost $88 for 4 shows, and may be used in a variety of ways. For information, reservations, and purchasing tickets, visit eastlynnetheater.org, e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com, or call 609-884-5898.

East Lynne's production season would not be possible without season sponsors Curran Investment Management, Aleathea's Restaurant, The Henry Sawyer Inn, The Washington Inn, as well as funding from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism; New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Dept. of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; and the generosity of many patrons.

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