Meet the Cast of East Lynne Theater Company's ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET at an After-Show Q&A

"The Rhythm of Life," "I'm in the Mood for Love" and "I Won't Dance" are just three of many popular songs with lyrics written by the incomparable Dorothy Fields. The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company is presenting a world premiere musical revue, "On the Sunny Side of the Street," the title taken from another Field's hit. After the show on Friday, June 22, the audience has the opportunity to ask questions of the cast and creative team.

The idea for this exciting production celebrating Dorothy Fields, came from Charles Gilbert, who arranged the luscious tunes and is accompanying the cast of four. 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. His vast body of work includes Musical Theater Coordinator for Kevin Smith's 2002 film "Jersey Girl," and he is a two-time Barrymore Award nominee for his music direction at the Arden Theater.

Another Barrymore Award nominee, Karen Cleighton, is the choreographer. She taught dance at University of the Arts and Temple University and is currently teaching at Chartertech High School for The Performing Arts in Somers Point, NJ.

The director is Gayle Stahlhuth, who has produced over 100 shows since becoming ELTC's artistic director in 1999.

The exceptional cast-of four includes Joilet F. Harris, Scott Harrison, Annemarie Rosano, and Melissa Zimmerman. Harris had the recurring role of Detective Massey in "The Wire." Harrison has performed in a variety of regional theaters in shows including "Cabaret." Rosano is a founding member of "America's Sweethearts," an ensemble specializing in musical vintage entertainment. Zimmerman's television appearances include "Royal Pains."

During her almost 50-year career, Dorothy Fields wrote lyrics for more than 400 songs, worked on 15 Broadway musicals, and almost 30 films. Her film music with Jerome Kern included them winning the Academy Award for Best Song in 1936 for "The Way You Look Tonight" from "Swing Time." Cy Coleman, twenty-years her junior, asked Fields to write the lyrics for "Sweet Charity" (1965) and "Seesaw" (1973). Other collaborators with whom she worked include Sigmund Romberg, Morton Gould, Arthur Schwartz, Harold Arlen, Albert Hague, Fritz Kreisler, Max Steiner, Oscar Levant, Harry Warren, and Burton Lane.

"On the Sunny Side of the Street" runs through July 21, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30 PM, except there is no show on Wednesday, July 4, and a show on Sunday, July 8.

Location is The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes Street, where ELTC is in residence. For more information and to make a reservation, call 609-884-5898, e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com or visit www.eastlynnetheater.org.

Photo Credit: Gayle Stahlhuth

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