East Lynn Theater's TALES OF VICTORIANS to Return This Summer

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's popular "Tales of the Victorians" returns for its 28th year!

Take tea at a lovely venue, indulge in homemade tasty treats, and listen to stories by famous American authors like O. Henry, Mary Wilkins Freeman, and Zora Neale Hurston, read by ELTC performers and friends, for only $12.00. Children are always welcome, and ages 12 and under are free.

As usual most of the "Tales" are in Cape May, but as of three years ago, a North Wildwood location has been added.

The summer schedule is 4:00p.m. on most Thursdays beginning on June 22 at The Mission Inn, 1117 New Jersey Ave., with popular "Tales" performers Stephanie Garrett and Lee O'Connor. Stephanie was in ELTC's "Lost on the Natchez Trace" and "Rain." Lee has been portraying Sherlock Holmes and other characters in ELTC's radio-style mysteries in November and March in Cape May and on the road since 2002.

Next up, on a different day and time, is "Two Scoops and a Story" on Tuesday, June 27 from 3:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. Hosted by The Henry Sawyer Inn, 722 Columbia Ave., all-natural ice cream will be served, and ELTC's artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth, will read selections by Mark Twain. Adults are still $12, and ages 12 and under are $6.

The rest of the schedule is back to Thursdays at 4:00pm, with ages 12 and under free.

On July 6, "Tales" will be at The Twin Gables Inn, 31 Columbia Ave. with Stephanie and Lee.

Michele LaRue is reading three stories from Elsie Singmaster's classic "Gettysburg: Stories of the Red Harvest and the Aftermath" published in 1913, on July 13 at the home of Lenore and Martin Bowne, 1014 Cape May Ave. Part of the proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Garden Club of Cape May. Michele tours this and other shows including "Someone Must Wash the Dishes: An Anti-Suffrage Satire," which she'll be performing on Sunday, August 13 at 8:00p.m. for ELTC in Cape May, followed by a lecture and a Q&A. A special dinner/show package is offered through the nonprofit Cape May Forum, co-sponsor of this performance.

At The Blue Rose Inn and Restaurant, 653 Washington St., on July 20, Suzanne Longacre is reading. She has performed at a variety of theaters throughout the country and in TV's "Guiding Light."

James Rana, currently performing in Red Bull's production of "The Government Inspector" in NYC starring Michael Urie, is the reader for The Chalfonte Hotel, 301 Howard St., on July 27. He's also writing "A Year in the Trenches," a world premiere that ELTC is producing in the fall.

On August 3, "Tales" takes place at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, 111 N. Central Ave. in North Wildwood. Part of the proceeds will benefit the nonprofit lighthouse. Performers are Stephanie and Lee, who are also reading for the August 10 "Tales" back at The Blue Rose Inn.

Returning for a third year is our final "Tales," "Poe by Candlelight," on Saturday, October 21 at 8:00p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., where ELTC is in residence. Several ELTC actors will read their favorite stories by the master of the macabre just in time for Halloween. This popular event has quickly sold out.

Meanwhile, on ELTC's mainstage is "Will Rogers' U.S.A." running through July 22, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30p.m.

For information and to make reservations for "Tales of the Victorians" and the mainstage season, call 609-884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org.

Pictured: Stephanie Garrett and Lee O'Connor are two of the performers for East Lynne Theater Company's "Tales of the Victorians"