'TRENCHES', SILENT SKY and More Set for East Lynne Theater Company's 2018 Season

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company announces its 2018 Season. As usual, it includes classic gems, a world premiere, and a radio-style show. This year's theme is "The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars."

On March 16 and 17 (also Oct. 26-7 and Nov. 2-3), Holmes and Watson race against time to stop murders in a country manor in "Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Speckled Band." It's a radio-style production, with live sound effects and commercials, based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story, adapted by Craig Wichman. The script received the National Federation of Community Broadcasters' "Gold Reel" for Radio Drama Award. The show, as usual, goes on tour after the Cape May performances.

Back by popular demand is "A Year in the Trenches," running from May 16-26. Meet Charles Edward Dilkes (1887-1968), poet Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918), nurse Amabel Roberts (1891-1918), "Hello Girl" Grace Banker (1892-1960) and other Americans who served during World War I. Written by James Rana, it's based on Dilkes' book "Remembering World War I: An Engineer's Diary of the War," and other historical sources. A cast of 6 play many roles, and live music from the period is performed throughout.

A special event is on Monday, June 4 at Aleathea's at the Inn of Cape May: "An Evening with Amy Beach." Lillie Gardner will perform piano compositions by Amy Beach (1867-1944), who was the first female composer to have her symphony performed by a major orchestra. WWFM is recording this performance for a future broadcast on one of David Osenberg's radio shows.

Next up is "On the Sunny Side of the Street" from June 13-July 21, a world premiere musical revue featuring the lyrics of Dorothy Fields. She worked with composers including Jerome Kern ("The Way You Look Tonight" won them the 1936 Academy Award for Best Song) and C. Coleman ("Sweet Charity" with lyrics by Fields). Charles Gilbert, who was the musical director and accompanist for ELTC's "Rodgers' Romance," is once more working with ELTC.

Then, from July 25-Sept. 1, it's "Arsenic and Old Lace," the 1941 comedy by Joseph Kesselring, in which two charming sisters populate their cellar with The Remains of "acceptable" lodgers, their brother thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt, and their nephews have their own reasons for visiting them in Brooklyn.

"Silent Sky," a NJ premiere, takes to the stage from Sept. 19-Oct. 13. Written by Lauren Gunderson, this is the true story of Henrietta Leavitt, an astronomer in the early 1900s who attempts to measure the light and distance of stars, as she tries to balance earthly obligations. This was an era of immense scientific discoveries, when women's ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them.

In time for Halloween, on October 20 and 21, "Poe by Candlelight," in which ELTC actors read their favorite stories by the master of the macabre, and a classic silent horror film with Wayne Zimmerman accompanying on the organ, return. As mentioned above, the Holmes' radio-style shows have four performances in the fall, covering two weekends.

From November 23 to December 8, it's "O. Henry's Christmas Tales," based on works by the famous author known for his "twists" at the end. The stories areadapted and performed by Gayle Stahlhuth, who brings to life thirty-plus characters in her memorized, unique tour-de-force storytelling style.

ELTC is busy throughout the year with educational outreach and touring productions. On March 21 at 6:00 p.m., West Cape May Elementary School students perform "The Wizard of Oz," under Stahlhuth's direction, free, for the community. The Student Summer Workshop returns in June and July, headed by Robert LeMaire, culminating in another free performance, on July 2. ELTC's story readings return with "Tales of the Victorians," in partnership with various B&Bs, inns, and other nonprofits.

Season Tickets are $90, if purchased by March 31, good for four shows. Tickets may be used in several ways, including using all at one performance, or seeing four different shows. To purchase, send a check to ELTC's office at 121 Fourth Ave., West Cape May, NJ 08204, visit ELTC's website www.eastlynnetheater.org, or go to the box office when there is a performance. For questions, call 609-884-5898. General admission price is $35, so Season Tickets result in a savings, and make a great gift.

Pictured: Ryan Genualdi and Mike Newman in ELTC's "A Year in the Trenches." Photo by Gayle Stahlhuth.

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