2nd Annual Cape May Theater Week Returns In September

If one wishes to immerse him or herself in theater, and save money, then the 2nd Annual Theater Week in Cape May, from September 26-30, is the perfect time for both.

East Lynne Theater Company is offering the New Jersey premiere of "Silent Sky," written by Lauren Gunderson, currently the most produced playwright in the country. The cast of five is under the direction of Tom Bryn, who portrayed "Mr. Lincoln" for ELTC two seasons ago. This entertaining and enlightening play tells the story of Henrietta Leavitt (1868-1921), the astronomer who provided the key to determining the size of the cosmos. Theater Week offering: Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM, September 28-29, 50 tickets each for both nights are available for $20 + $1.50 service fee. General admission price is usually $35. There will be an after-show Q&A with the cast on Friday. For information and reservations, call 609-884-5898, e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com, or visit www.eastlynnetheater.org. Location: The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes Street.

At Cape May Stage, it'' the world premiere of "The Shuck" written by Cape May native Shawn Fisher and directed by Roy Steinberg. When a son is lost at sea and a long-lost daughter suddenly decides to pay a visit, a mother is forced to face the truth about her family and the secrets that broke it apart so many years ago. Theater Week offering: Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 PM, All tickets are $25 + $2.50 service fee. General admission price is usually $40. For information and reservations, call 609-770-8311 or visit capemaystage.org. Location: 405 Lafayette Street.

The comedy, "Meet the Locals," written and performed by Susan Tischler, is at the Aerodrome. Tischler has performed for East Lynne Theater Company, most recently in "Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Specked Band," and in "Calliope Rose" and "The Wreck of the Spanish Armada" at the Aerodrome. She is the co-owner of Kaleidoscope and Just for Laughs in Cape May, and writes for "Exit Zero," so she does, indeed, know something about the "locals." During the Christmas season, she'll be performing for "The Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides," co-sponsored by ELTC and Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities. Theater Week offering: Saturday at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM, all tickets $10 for all performances. General admission is usually $20. For information and reservations, call 323-793-2153. Location: 251 Ranger Road, Rio Grande, on the grounds of the Cape May Airport.

Photo: Veronique Hurley in East Lynne Theater Company's "Silent Sky." Photo credit: Gayle Stahlhuth