East Lynne Theater Company Receives Grant from The Puffin Foundation

The Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company has announced that it has received a $1,500 grant from the prestigious Puffin Foundation to help fund two performances of "“Emma Goldman: My Life."   In 2008, ELTC received funding from this foundation to take its "Paul Robeson Through His Words and Music" to Saint James Presbyterian Church in Harlem.  

     The motto for The Puffin Foundation, located in Teaneck, NJ, is "continuing the dialogue between art and ordinary people." Emma Goldman, who believed "It requires less mental effort to condemn than to think," always spoke her mind, and the show invariably brings about interesting talk-backs with the audience.  Emma was a fascinating woman in a fascinating time:  America in the early 1900's, teeming with immigrants like herself, all longing for a better way of life.

     "Emma" will be at The Metropolitan Playhouse, 220 E. Fourth Street in New York City on Friday, October 26 at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets are $15, a reduction of $10 off the usual Playhouse price, and may be reserved by calling 212-995-5302, or by going to www.metropolitanplayhouse.org.  On Sunday, October 28 at 2:00 p.m., the show will be at the Mahwah Public Library, 100 Ridge Road in Mahwah, NJ.  Admission is free, and reservations may be made by calling 201-529-READ.

     "Emma Goldman: My Life" was written and is performed by Lorna Lable, whose credits include the Off-Broadway production of "Grandma Sylvia’s Funeral," and roles in the film "Keeping the Faith" with Ben Stiller, and TV's "Third Watch." Director Karen Case Cook has performed in and directed several shows for East Lynne Theater Company including "Ruth Draper's Company of Characters" (actor) and "The Guardsman" (director). She has worked in NYC at Jean Cocteau Rep, Oasis Theater Company, and Phoenix Rep, among others, and currently directs at Stella Adler.  Her work in regional theater includes Women's Theater Company (NJ), Arkansas Rep and the Barter Theater. She recently directed "The Twentieth-Century Way" in Philadelphia.

     "Emma Goldman: My Life" was commissioned and first produced by East Lynne Theater Company in Cape May in 2010, receiving excellent reviews from patrons and press. "She's passionate, insightful and from her answers, you soon realize she is eternally pulling for those who are lacking an advocate. And that's what you learn to love about her," wrote Tom Sims for "Exit Zero."  Simply put, "'Emma' is superb," wrote Ed Wismer for "The Cape May Star and Wave."

     The award-winning East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) has been celebrating the American Spirit on Stage through timeless classics and provocative new works since 1980 with its mainstage and touring productions, and educational outreach. ELTC's Sherlock Holmes Adventures produced in the style of the 1930's radio shows are popular not only in Cape May, but have toured to such locations as the Actors' Home in Englewood, and adult living centers and libraries throughout New Jersey.  Other touring shows include "Paul Robeson," which has performed for NAACP fundraisers and recently played for an enthusiastic audience at North Carolina Stage Company in Asheville. "Someone Must Wash the Dishes," an anti-suffrage satire, recently performed in Illinois, and will be in Texas this fall.  On Saturday, October 6, this very funny piece, written in 1912 and performed by Michele LaRue, will be at the J. Thompson Baker House in Wildwood. 

     ELTC currently offers sixteen touring productions and funding is provided by those seeking these shows for their venues and special grant funding targeted for touring productions.  Many patrons who have seen ELTC shows on the road throughout the country plan visits to Cape May mainly to see ELTC's mainstage productions, most making their first visit to Cape May.               

     Meanwhile, the well-reviewed world premiere, "The Poe Mysteries," can still be seen Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. through September 1 at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May, where ELTC is in residence, before it goes up to Ocean Professional Theatre Company in Barnegat, NJ in October.

     For more information about East Lynne Theater Company and to make reservations call 609-884-5898 or go towww.eastlynnetheater.org.