Dutch Television Personality Set To Perform with The East Lynne Theater Company
Come and see the trial of Johan van Buren, accused of murdering a Swede named Niels Holgerson on July 4, 1654. The trial, being presided over by the Right Honorable Frank Visser, on the authority of the States General of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands, by commission of the Governor-General Peter Stuyvesant. The trial will start at 8:30p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Decatur and Hughes Streets in Cape May.
And the fun begins!
Frank Visser, Dutch television's famous "Driving Judge," and East Lynne Theater Company have joined together to present a world premiere comedy, "People of Cape May v. Johan Van Buren," on Thurs., August 27. This production, written by and starring Judge Visser, honors the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's discovery of Cape May and is co-sponsored by the Cape May 400th Anniversary Committee.
This one-night only special event is as entertaining as an episode of "The Driving Judge." On television, Judge Visser-an author, actor, playwright, and a real-life senior national judge who was recently made a Knight of the Royal Order of Orange-Nassau-travels around the Netherlands solving problems and ensuring justice. "People of Cape May v. Johan Van Buren" is also an eye-opening look into the now almost-forgotten rivalry between Dutch and Swedish settlers for control of the Delaware River in present-day South Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
ELTC's artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth, corresponding with Judge Visser by e-mail, received the script, assembled a cast, and is directing. The cast includes those working on two ELTC productions running simultaneously: Susan Tischler and Tommy Raniszewski in "Helpful Hints" at The Chalfonte Hotel, and Karen Case Cook, Tom Byrn, Aidan Koehler, Rob LeMaire, and Sara LeMaire in "The Ransom of Red Chief" at The First Presbyterian Church.
Tommy Raniszewski is in the role of Johan van Buren, the man seen with the smoking gun - but did he really kill the Swede? Susan Tischler portrays Grietje, the owner of the inn where the murder took place. Sara LeMaire is the grieving wife of the victim, who at the very least wants Johan's horse, saddle, and rifle as retribution. Rob LeMaire is the baker, Hans de Vries, who was playing cards at the inn with the now-dead Swede and Johan. Karen Case Cook and Tom Byrn deliver the Prologue, and Aidan Koehler provides the music with her exquisite fiddle-playing.Others in the cast include Jim McMillan, the "voice" on radio station 1230 WCMC in Wildwood, weekdays from 8:00a.m-9:00a.m. He plays Hendrick van Zaandam, the mayor, shopkeeper, undertaker, and, when needed, the hangman. Stephanie Garrett, a popular performer for ELTC's "Tales of the Victorians" who is performing with Gayle Stahlhuth in the upcoming ""Christmas in Black and White," is the juror. Bryan McHenry, a graduate of Lower Cape May Regional High School who is currently working on his B.A. in Theater Arts and a B.S. in Psychology at Liberty University, is playing Peter Jansen, the barber who was also in the inn at the time of the shooting.
Accompanying Frank Visser will be his wife, Margot. They are bringing their costumes from the Netherlands, while Marion Brady, who has designed costumes for most of ELTC's shows for the last ten years, is helping out with costumes for others in the cast.
The whole evening actually begins at The Humphrey Hughes House, 29 Ocean St., where members of the community have the opportunity to meet Frank and Margot Visser and members of the cast, before the show, from 6:30p.m.-7:30p.m. At 7:30, the performers, and those who wish to join in, will process to The First Presbyterian Church, where ELTC is in residence, to see the trial.Admission to "People of Cape May v. Johan Van Buren" is $10 for adults and children ages 12 and under are, as always, admitted free. For information and reservations, call 884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org. Credit card reservations may be made by calling 866-280-9211.
To accommodate this special event, the current ELTC mainstage production of "The Ransom of Red Chief" can be seen on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during this last week in August.
East Lynne, an Equity professional theater company, produces classics and history-based contemporary entertainment about the American experience. The company's year-around performance schedule includes its Cape May Mainstage Season (June-December), Touring Shows, and Educational Outreach for all ages. In 2009 voters in the People's Choice Awards of Discover Jersey Arts named East Lynne Theater Company one of the top two Equity professional theaters in New Jersey.
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