East Lynne Theater Company Holds August Open House

Meet acting members of the award winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company on Wednesday, August 1 at the Cape May Lighthouse, on Thursday at Victorian Lace Inn, and on Friday, August 3 at a free juggling class and an after-show Q&A.   

     James Rana, who adapted the three detective stories written by Edgar Allan Poe and is also one of the six performers in the world premiere of "The Poe Mysteries," is reading Poe's "The Lighthouse" and other lighthouse-themed tales, around 1:00 p.m. at the Cape May Lighthouse located in Cape May Point State Park.  It's all part of Family Fun Day at the Lighthouse sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities (MAC).  Activities for the whole family run between 9:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. and are free.  There is, however, an admission fee to climb the lighthouse.  For more information, contact MAC at 884-5404.

     On Thursday, August 2, Michele LaRue will read a delightful American story at 4:00 p.m. on the porch of The Victorian Lace Inn, 901 Stockton Avenue, as part of ELTC's popular "Tales of the Victorians."  For only $10, patrons enjoy tea and homemade treats while listening to a tale.  As always, anyone age 12 and under is free and children are welcome.  Contact ELTC at 884-5898 for reservations and to learn about other "Tales" locations. Michele returns to Cape May on October 6 to perform "Someone Must Wash the Dishes," a 1912 satire about women's suffrage, at the J. Thompson Baker House in Wildwood.     

     Then, on August 3, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. James Rana is teaching a free jugging class at the First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., for ages 8 on up. James, a hit at ELTC’s fundraiser last fall, has captivated audiences in North America and Europe with his slight-of-hand and juggling. Reservations are requested by calling the theater at 884-5898.

      Later that same day, also at the church, there will be a Q&A after "The Poe Mysteries."  Here, theater-lovers can ask questions of artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth, playwright James Rana, and the cast of six.  It’s a wonderful opportunity for patrons to learn about actors and why they do what they do, how shows are selected, and what goes into running a theater company. 

     The talented cast, most making their careers in New York City theater and television, have all worked with ELTC before. Fred Velde plays Detective Dupin and Thomas Raniszewski is the journalist who leads Dupin on into talking about his crime solving expertise. The four actors who play over fifty characters in "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," "The Mystery of Marie Roget," and "The Purloined Letter" are Mark Edward Lang, Shelley McPherson, Grace Wright, and James Rana.

     "The Poe Mysteries" runs from July 25 through September 1, every Wednesday through Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes Street, where the company is in residence.  To make a reservation, contact ELTC at 884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org.

     On Sunday, August 5, ELTC, with Cape May Film Festival, is showing the silent classic, “The Mark of Zorro,” starring Douglas Fairbanks, with live organ accompaniment provided by Wayne Zimmerman.  Time is 8:30 p.m. and tickets are $15.

      East Lynne Theater Company's production season would not be possible without season sponsors Curran Investment Management and Aleathea's Restaurant; Show Sponsors La Mer Beachfront Inn, The Henry Sawyer Inn, and Exit Zero; The NJ Dept. of State, Division of Travel and Tourism; NJ State Council on the Arts/Dept. of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; and the generosity of many patrons.