East Lynne Theater Company to Host ZORRO Post-Show Q&A, 8/1

For those who didn't have the opportunity to meet the cast of the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's "Zorro!" at the opening night after-show party at the Washington Inn on July 23, another chance is to be had on Friday, August 1 at an after-show Q&A. It's a wonderful opportunity for patrons to ask actors, director, and technical team such questions as "why do they do what they do?" and "how do they do it?"

During the run of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" last August, artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth asked James Rana if he would be interested in adapting "The Curse of Capristrano," also known as "The Mark of Zorro," for the stage. In August, 2012, Stahlhuth had also asked him to consider "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" for an adaptation.

Almost every play has a unique element about it whether it be a complicated set, unusual sound effects, or numerous period costumes. In "Zorro!," the most "unique element" was to find seven actors who can play over thirty roles - and know how to fence or be willing to learn. After seeing over 200 actors during auditions in Cape May and New York City, Stahlhuth assembled such a cast.

James Rana, also an actor, is portraying Captain Ramon, the one who will do anything to capture Zorro. Rana has taught juggling classes for ELTC in Cape May and Wildwood, and also appeared in "Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Norwood Builder" and "The Poe Mysteries." His numerous credits include performing at the Royal Shakespeare Festival in England and lead roles in independent features and television shows including "Law & Order."

Taking on the role of Zorro, also known as Don Diego, is Jed Peterson. New to ELTC, he made his stage debut in George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker" at the New York City Ballet, and his international debut in "He Who Gets Slapped" at the Moscow Art Theatre where he became one of only two Americans to have appeared on the theatre's Main Stage, with the Russian company. Other credits include McCarter Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and the Utah Shakespeare Festival.

Also new to ELTC, is Mark Lazar. He's performed with People's Light & Theatre Company, near Philadelphia, for fifteen years, spent twelve seasons with The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, and has worked with most of the professional theaters in Wisconsin.

Three actors who were in other James Rana ELTC premieres are also in the cast: Suzanne Dawson, Mark Edward Lang, and Elisa Pupko.

Dawson played leading roles in numerous Off-Broadway shows including "The Last Musical Comedy," and her regional work includes Florida Studio Theatre and Paper Mill Playhouse. Lang has performed in NYC and regionally, and recently performed in a Nelson Mandela event in Tanzania. In Pupko's work included "The Children's Hour," and "Three Sisters," and she can be seen in numerous episodes of "College Humor."

Playing young Don Diego is Evan Smilyk, who has played the title roles in "Rip Van Winkle" and "Hamlet," and a dozen other parts at West Cape May Elementary School, under the direction of Sally Bingham or Stahlhuth, and has participated in ELTC's Student Summer Workshop for five years.

"Zorro!" is directed by Stahlhuth who has produced over 70 ELTC shows since becoming the company's artistic director in 1999, and directed over half of them. Joseph Travers is the fight choreographer. His recent work includes the Broadway production of "Bronx Bombers" at Circle-in-the-Square Theatre and Brecht's "Caucasian Chalk Circle," featured at the 2013 Shanghai International Experimental Theatre Festival. Beckley Andrews, who is in ELTC's "The First Fifty Years" and choreographed the dances for the Student Theater Workshop's "The Dancing Princesses," created the dance for "Zorro!" Her numerous credits include dancing in the Broadway production of "Gypsy" starring Patti LuPone.

Costumes were designed by Marion T. Brady, who has costumed many ELTC productions for over 20 years. This past Christmas, three of the dresses she built for ELTC's "It Pays to Advertise" (1914) were featured in an exhibit at Drumthwacket, the Governor's mansion near Princeton. The set was designed by Stahlhuth and built by stage manager and technical director, Lee O'Connor, with a lovely tree supplied by Don Van Brunt, who is a technical director for several theaters in Atlantic City hotels.

This swashbuckling adventure about the "masked avenger" who fights corruption in Old California runs from July 23 through August 30 at 8:30 p.m., with the usual Wednesday through Saturday schedule. The performances are at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., where the company is in residence. Tickets are $30 for general admission; $25 for seniors (ages 62 and over); and $15 for full-time students. For information and reservations, call 884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org.

For those who can't attend the after-show Q&A on August 1, an after-show reception is slated for Friday, August 8 at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, with an array of tasty hors d'oeuvres, and another opportunity to meet the cast. The cost is only $10 and most of the profits will go to The Food Closet. Everyone who attended the last reception in June for "The First Fifty Years" were very pleased with the food and camaraderie.

Meanwhile, the current production of "The First Fifty Years" must close on July 19. Starring Beckley Andrews and Samuel Douglas Clark, it covers fifty years of a marriage in seven scenes.

Photo credit: Gayle Stahlhuth