Mary Wilkins News

In October, the nonprofit Classic American Tales will be at The Dormer House in Cape May and End of the Road Theater in North Cape May, before taking shows on the road. Learn more about the upcoming performances here!

From June 8 through August 10, Classic American Tales (CAT) is presenting 'Tales at the Dormer House,' formerly known as 'Tales of the Victorians' and 'Tales in the Backyard' when previously produced by East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC).  Guests are treated to lemonade and tasty treats while listening to stories by American authors like O. Henry, Zora Neale Hurston, and Mark Twain.  

For eight times only, the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company presents 'Christmas Presents from the Past.'  Aside from O. Henry's 'The Gift of the Magi,' in which a loving couple exchange unique gifts, the other tales are 'The Christmas Masquerade,' 'The Snow Image,' and 'What the Bells Saw and Said.'    

East Lynne Theater Company presents 'Christmas with Harte and O. Henry' 

Cape May MAC and East Lynne Theater Company present 'Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides'

     'Here in Friendship Village, we give out time and time again that Christmas isn't going to be just shopping and just an exchange of useless gifts,' begins Calliope Marsh in Zona Gale's story 'Human,' about an unusual event at the post office, two nights before Christmas in 1910.

'You counted up yesterday how many there'd be, and you said twelve, so I set the table for twelve,' said Pauline. 'Well, I don't see how I made such a blunder,' her mother replied. 'There are only eleven of us, after all.' ''It's a sign somebody's comin',' said Pauline. Thus, begins the eerie tale of 'The Twelfth Guest' by Mary Wilkins Freeman, in which a strange young woman appears suddenly for Christmas dinner, and stays awhile.

As usual, the Equity professional, award-winning East Lynne Theater Company is accepting items for the Food Closet during the run of its holiday show. What is needed most are cereal, soup, bar soap, tuna, peanut butter, and dry spaghetti. For monetary donations, makes checks payable to The Community Food Closet of Cape May.

'One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That's all I have, and tomorrow is Christmas,' sighed Della in 'The Gift of the Magi,' just one of the O. Henry stories adapted and performed by Gayle Stahlhuth, who brings to life thirty-plus characters in her memorized, unique tour-de-force storytelling style. 

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's popular 'Tales of the Victorians' returns for its twenty-ninth year! Take tea at a lovely venue, indulge in tantalizing treats, and listen to stories by famous American authors like O. Henry, Zora Neale Hurston, and Mark Twain read by ELTC performers and friends, for only $12.00. Children are always welcome, and ages 12 and under are free.

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's popular 'Tales of the Victorians' returns for its twenty-ninth year! Take tea at a lovely venue, indulge in tantalizing treats, and listen to stories by famous American authors like O. Henry, Zora Neale Hurston, and Mark Twain read by ELTC performers and friends, for only $12.00. Children are always welcome, and ages 12 and under are free.

Many readers will recognize this as the opening of Louisa May Alcott's 'Little Women,' the beloved novel that will be celebrating its 150th anniversary in a few months. For seven times only, the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company will present 'Louisa May Alcott's Christmas,' adapted and performed by Gayle Stahlhuth.

This tale is one of two that are part of the repertoire of the 'Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides,' co-sponsored by The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities (MAC) and the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company.

Many readers will recognize this as the opening of Louisa May Alcott's 'Little Women,' the beloved novel that will be celebrating its 150th anniversary in a few months. For seven times only, the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company will present 'Louisa May Alcott's Christmas,' adapted and performed by Gayle Stahlhuth.

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's popular 'Tales of the Victorians' returns for its 28th year!

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's popular 'Tales of the Victorians' returns for its 28th year!

'In two days it will be Christmas!' said Old Applejoy to himself. 'Can it be that my close-fisted grandson does not intend to celebrate Christmas! I've seen no preparations, heard nothing, smelt nothing. I will go this moment and investigate.'

Performers include Michele LaRue, who tours with several shows including 'Someone Must Wash the Dishes: An Anti-Suffrage Satire,' and whose late husband Warren Kliewer founded ELTC; James Rana, who plays a detective in the upcoming cable series 'Falling Waters' and Van Helsing in ELTC's 'Dracula;' Stephanie Garrett, who was in ELTC's 'Lost on the Natchez Trace' and 'Rain;' Lee O'Connor, Sherlock in ELTC's radio-style 'Holmes' Adventures;' Suzanne Longacre, who's performed throughout the country and in TV's 'Guiding Light;' and ELTC's artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth.

Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities and East Lynne Theater Company present 'Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides."

?Pontine Theatre has been awarded a $3,000 grant from the Jack & Dorothy Byrne Foundation to tour scenes from its original production, New England Christmas, to eighteen assisted and independent living communities for seniors located throughout New England.  Touring activities take place between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve.