East Lynne Theater Company to Host MR. LINCOLN Talkback, 5/18

Ever wonder how an actor prepares for a role? What it's like to be in the theater profession? How does a director select a season of plays and cast all of the shows?

On Wednesday, May 18, immediately following a performance of "Mr. Lincoln," the audience will have the opportunity to ask these and other questions of actor Tom Byrn and director Gayle Stahlhuth.

Originally on Broadway in 1980, "Mr. Lincoln," written by Herbert Mitgang, is running through May 21 only, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes Street, where the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company is in residence. After the Cape May run, this show heads to Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble in Bloomsburg, PA.

So popular was "Mr. Lincoln" last season, that ELTC bought it back. Howard Shapiro, for WHYY Public TV and Radio, gave the show an excellent review, stating that "Tom Byrn evokes the spirit of Lincoln."

This is Byrn's seventh show with ELTC, and he'll be back in the fall in the S. N. Behrman comedy, "Biography." During the winter, he taught drama and English at a school in Istanbul.

Dave Bova created the wig and make-up. His wig construction for Broadway alone includes "Wicked." Marion T. Brady created the costume. For over twenty years, she has been the primary costume designer for ELTC. Playwright Herbert Mitgang (1920-2013) wrote for "The New York Times" and CBS News, and wrote two books on the 16th President.

Also available on May 18, is a special dinner/show package created with co-sponsor Cape May Forum. The evening begins with a three-course dinner at The Island Grill, 311 Mansion St., at 6:00 p.m. with a special Southern menu created by chef Josh Day. Main courses offered are fried chicken, cast iron salmon, and vegetable pot pie. Bring your favorite alcoholic beverage to accompany the meal. Tickets are $60 for dinner and the show, and may be purchased through the Forum by calling 609-770-2626 or visiting www.capemayforum.org. Regular ELTC tickets are also available for this evening.

Tickets are $32 for general admission, $27 for seniors (62 and over), and $17 for full-time students, and those in the military (active and veterans). Ages 12 and under are free. Season tickets are available until July 1, cost $88, and are flexible, even allowing patrons to use all four for one performance.

All ELTC tickets are available for purchase with credit card, cash or personal check at the box office when there is a performance, through ELTC's website, www.eastlynnetheater.org, by phone, 609-884-5898, e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com, or by sending a check to the office: 121 Fourth Ave., West Cape May, NJ 08204.

Photo by Gayle Stahlhuth