East Lynne to Present RODGERS' ROMANCE, 6/15-7/23

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company presents the New Jersey premiere of "Rodgers' Romance" from June 15 - July 23. This musical revue of the work by Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II includes some of the best known songs from this canon, presented in an inventive format that breaks the fourth wall, engaging the hearts and minds of the audience. Harking back to a time before microphones, none will be used, allowing the singers' voices to be heard naturally in the excellent acoustics of The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, where ELTC is in residence. As if all this wasn't enough, "Rodgers' Romance" is also a trivia competition, with the winner of the night receiving a gift certificate to a local business.

Richard Rodgers (1902-1979), Lorenz Hart (1895-1943) and Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) were all born in New York City. While a student at Columbia, Rodgers wrote several of the popular "Varsity" shows with two upperclassmen, Hammerstein II and Hart. Later to come would be "Jumbo," "The Sound of Music," and other musicals.

Directing "Rodgers' Romance" is David-Michael Kenney "DMK" who first created this entertaining revue for Sellersville Theatre in 2004 and reprised it at Act II Playhouse in Ambler, PA in 2007. For over forty years he has stage managed and directed in Philadelphia, New York and California. DMK staged cabaret performances for Julie Wilson, Jane Norman (aka Pixanne), Rosie Carlino and Lois Sage and his directing work ranges from "Pirates of Penzance" to "Always Patsy Cline."

The musical director and accompanist is Charles Gilbert, who has spent nearly forty years making provocative original work for the musical stage and training young artists for professional careers in musical theater. He headed the Musical Theater Program at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia from its inception in 1990 until 2008, and served from 2008 to 2013 as Director of the Ira Brind School of Theater Arts at UArts. His vast body of work includes Musical Theater Coordinator for Kevin Smith's 2002 film "Jersey Girl."

The talented cast of four includes Aaron Bell, Maggie Johnson, Clare O'Malley, and Patrick Burr, all new to ELTC.

Aaron and Maggie have worked extensively in the Philadelphia area and both appeared together in "An Octoroon" at The Wilma and "Bitter Homes and Gardens" at Bearded Ladies Cabaret. Aaron was also in "A Single Shard" at People's Light, "We Are Proud to Present" at the Philly Fringe, and "Hands Up" and "Miz Martha Washington" at Flashpoint. Maggie was in "The Children's Hour," and "Cat in the Hat" at the Arden Theatre Company, and "Factory Girls" and "The Secret Garden" at 11th Hour Theatre Company. She also appeared in HBO's "Masterclass Series with Patti Lupone."

Clare has performed in and around the Philadelphia are in such works as "Threepenny Opera" at The Arden and "Private Lives" at The Walnut Street Theatre. Her performances in Ireland/UK include "Grease" at the Gaiety Theater, "The Dead" at The Abbey, and "The Last Summer" at The Gate Theater.

During the past few years, Patrick toured the Southeast with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and appeared in Kenneth Branagh's "Macbeth" at the Park Avenue Armory in New York. He also played Anthony in Red Branch Theater Company's production of "Sweeney Todd" in Baltimore.

On opening night, Wednesday, June 15, at no additional cost, there is an after-show opening night party at The Washington Inn, 801 Washington Street, with complimentary hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and the opportunity to meet the performers and creative team. On Friday, June 24, is an after-show talk-back. "Rodgers' Romance" is produced by special arrangement with R&H Theatricals, New York City.

This exciting revue runs four nights a week, Wednesdays through Saturdays, at 8:30 p.m. at the historic First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May. Tickets are $32.00; $27.00 for seniors; $17 for students and those in the military or a veteran. Age 12 and under are free. Season tickets are available until July 1. For more information and to make a reservation, call 609-884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org.

Photo by Gayle Stahlhuth