MR. LINCOLN to Open East Lynne Theater Company's Season

On Good Friday, April 14,1865, when the President and Mrs. Lincoln were watching "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theatre, John Wilkes Booth entered the President's box. A few days earlier, General Lee had surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox. Although there was much to be done to repair the nation, the fighting was finished, and the President had the opportunity to attend one of the funniest comedies of the time, starring Laura Keene.

In Herbert Mitgang's play, "Mr. Lincoln," the President's life flashes before him, from his early days as a flatboatman on the Mississippi River to his final night at the theater, as Booth fires his weapon. Most of the monologue for this compelling play is taken directly from Lincoln's own writings and speeches.

"Measured against modern presidents, it is important to realize that Abraham Lincoln's words were hand-fashioned without a single ghost writer or pollster to guide his pen or thought," wrote the playwright.

The award winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company is proud to present "Mr. Lincoln" from June 17 through July 25, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30 pm, except there is no show on Saturday, July 4, and a show on Sunday, July 5. The location is the historic First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May, where the company is in residence. On opening night, June 17, there is an after-show opening night party at Pier House Restaurant, 1317 Beach Avenue. It's an excellent opportunity to meet Tom Byrn, who portrays the 16th President, and mingle with other theater lovers, at no extra cost. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served.

"Mr. Lincoln" marks the seventh ELTC production for Tom Byrn. Recent performances include ELTC's "Within the Law," "One Slight Hitch" by Lewis Black at Cider Mill Playhouse in Endicott, NY and "Circle Mirror Transformation" at The REP Stage located near Washington D.C. He has acted at various theaters in the Philadelphia area, including People's Light & Theatre, Interact, Lantern, and Act II Playhouse. Tom is an Associate Member of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, in Bloomsburg, PA, where he spent eleven years as a full-time Ensemble Member, acting, directing, writing, and teaching. He is co-editor of "Letters to the Editor," published by Simon & Schuster, and a member of the Lincoln Center Director's Lab. Having performed "The Santaland Diaries" by David Sedaris, and two of his own solo works, he is not a stranger to one-person shows.

Herbert Mitgang (1920-2013), who studied Lincoln's writings and life for years, 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 helped to inaugurate "Hallmark Hall of Fame" on PBS.

Helping to create the "Lincoln Look" is hair and make-up designer Dave Bova. Fittings took place in Manhattan between his busy schedule of working on "'Tis Pity She's a Whore" at Red Bull Theater in NYC and "Hamlet" and "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" at The Wilma in Philadelphia. 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, is creating the costume. For over twenty years, she has been the primary costume designer for ELTC, receiving excellent reviews for her work in "The Wall Street Journal," "The New York Times," and "The Philadelphia Inquirer."

Gayle Stahlhuth, who is directing "Mr. Lincoln," has also been applauded in the above mentioned papers for her work. She 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, 35 years ago.

Tickets are $30 for general admission, $25 for seniors (62 and over), and $15 for full-time students, those in the military and veterans. Ages 12 and under are free. Season tickets are available until July 1, cost $80, and are flexible, even allowing patrons to use all four for one performance, if they wish.

All tickets are available for purchase with credit card, cash or personal check at the box office when there is a performance, through ELTC's website, www.eastlynnetheater.org, by phone, 609-884-5898, e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com , or by sending a check to the office: 121 Fourth Ave., West Cape May, NJ 08204.

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