East Lynne Theater Company Presents HANS BRINKER 7/7

"I can't buy you each a pair of skates, or even one good pair, but here are eight kwartjes. Decide between you who stands the best chance of winning the race, and buy the skates accordingly," said Hilda, giving the money to Hans before she skates away.

Which one will get the skates? Hans or his sister, Gretel? Who ends up racing after all? And who does win the big race in the town of Broek?

Come to the Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's Third Annual Student Theater Workshop production, and all will be revealed in a new adaptation by artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth of Mary Mapes Dodge's 1865 novel "Hans Brinker," about an ice-skating race in the Netherlands and the silver skates that are the prize.

After nine, three-hour sessions, students will perform "Hans Brinker" on Tues., July 7, at 8:00p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May, where the company is in residence. Admission is free and families are welcome.

Helping Ms. Stahlhuth this year are Patti Chambers, who has been in numerous ELTC productions including "The New York Idea" and "Spoon River," Tiffany-Leigh Moskow, who was in last season's "To the Ladies!" and ELTC's technical director Lee O'Connor, who portrays Sherlock Holmes in ELTC's radio-style productions.

ELTC is celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the Founding of Cape May with two productions: "Hans Brinker," and on August 27, "People of Cape May v. Johan Van Buren," a comic spoof written and performed by Judge Frank Visser, a well-known television personality in The Netherlands, who will be joined by members of ELTC, under the direction of Ms. Stahlhuth. For other 400th-Anniversary events, go to www.capemay400.info.

Meanwhile, the deliciously witty comedy, "Alice on The Edge," is only running through July 25. (There is no show on Sat. July 4, but an added show on Sun. July 5.)

For information about the workshop, mainstage season, touring shows, and education outreach, and to make reservations, call 609-884-5898, or go online at www.eastlynnetheater.org.