ASL Performance of THE FIRST FIFTY YEARS at East Lynne Theater Co. Scheduled for July 11

On Friday, July 11 at 8:30p.m., there will be an American Sign Language Interpretation of "The First Fifty Years" produced by the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company.

Written by Henry Myers and produced on Broadway in 1922, the only known script of this dramatic-comedy that shows the ups and downs of a marriage in seven scenes, was discovered by ELTC's artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth at the Billy Rose Collection at Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts in NYC. What intrigued her about the play was, that although written over 90 years ago, the dialogue is still fresh, proving that the decades may be different but the intricacies of a relationship remain the same.

Playing the married couple are Beckley Andrews and Samuel Douglas Clark, both new to ELTC. Beckley's credits include a national tour of "Grease" with Frankie Avalon and "Gypsy" on Broadway. Sam recently arrived from Australia where he worked on a range of projects including developing and performing in two new works, "April's Fool" and "Often I Find That I am Naked," both of which toured nationally.

Since the early 1990's, ELTC has offered regularly scheduled ASL performances, as well as ASL performances if requested and given appropriate notice. The theatrical ASL interpreters are Kathy Filippo and Gina Lanza, who have performed many times for ELTC. The process involves them seeing the production at least once, plus going over the script several times to figure out who will interpret which roles, and in many cases, come up with signage for unusual names and words.

Tickets are $30 general admission; $25 for seniors and those with disabilities and their support companions; and $15 for full-time students.

ELTC performs at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May, where the company is in residence. "The First Fifty Years" runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30p.m. through July 19, except there is no performance on Friday, July 4 and an added performance on Sunday, July 6. For information and reservations, call 609-884-5898 or visit www.eastlynnetheater.org.

Photo Credit: Gayle Stahlhuth