TALES OF THE VICTORIANS Returns to East Lynne Theatre Company, Now thru 7/21

The Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's popular "Tales of the Victorians" returns for its twenty-third year! Take tea at one of Cape May's finest inns or tea shops, indulge in homemade tasty treats, and listen to stories by famous American authors, like O. Henry and Louisa May Alcott, all for only $10.00. Children are always welcome, and, like other East Lynne events, ages 12 and under are free.

Back again to perform are several ELTC favorites, including Karen Case Cook, Stephanie Garrett, Lee O'Connor, Michele LaRue, Suzanne Longacre, Hope Gaines, and Gayle Stahlhuth.

The summer schedule is every Thursday at 4:00p.m., beginning on June 21, at The Butterfly Tea Room, 109 Sunset Blvd. Performances at this tea room are well-attended and reservations are strongly suggested. The first performer is Suzanne Longacre, who has been reading stories for these "Tales," at least once a summer, for the past five years. An Equity professional actor, she currently sings with the Masterworks Choir in Ocean City.

If you miss "Tales" on June 21, there are other dates and locations from which to choose: June 28: Mad Batter at the Carroll Villa, 19 Jackson St.; July 5: The Dormer House, 800 Columbia Ave.; July 12: The Chalfonte Hotel, 301 Howard St.; July 19: The Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St.; July 26: Cliveden Inn, 709 Columbia Ave.; Aug 2: Victorian Lace Inn, 901 Stockton Ave.; Aug 9: The Mission Inn, 1117 New Jersey Ave.; Aug. 16: Peter Shields Inn, 1301 Beach Ave.; Victorian Lace Inn, 901 Stockton Ave.; and Aug. 30: The Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St.

During the fall, the day switches to Saturday, with the following date and location so far: Oct. 6: The Cliveden Inn, 709 Columbia Ave.

Meanwhile, ELTC's mainstage season opens with "Ruth Draper's Company of Characters," with Karen Case Cook and SuzAnne Dawson, running from tonight, June 13-July 21 at 8:30p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St. There is an after-show, opening-night party at Pier House Restaurant.

For information and to make reservations for "Tales of the Victorians" and the mainstage season, call 609-884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org.