ELTC Kicks Off 2013 Season with LOST ON THE NATCHEZ TRACE, 6/12

The year is 1825. A storm begins to brew as Malcolm Jeters, a slave auctioneer, is heading home to his wife and children, on the Natchez Trace. The Trace had been a popular route for travelers until steamships became a more comfortable way to ship goods and people from Louisiana to Kentucky. In 1825, it was a ghostly swamp, tangled with vines and rotted trees.

Malcolm's mule, spooked by the storm, throws him, leaving him alone and injured in the wilderness. A woman sees Malcolm, but instead of helping him, runs away. His cries for help, however, are heard by Tom, a run-away slave. The question is, who will save whom in this compelling new play.

Alix Cohen, reviewer for "Women Around Town," wrote, "The play is masterfully structured and filled with crosscurrents, surprising us to the very end. . . It's a gothic dance-either with the devil or redemption depending on your point of view."

Titled "Lost on the Natchez Trace," written by Jan Buttram, the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company is giving this provocative new play it's New Jersey premiere, opening on Wednesday, June 12 , and running through July 20. There are four shows a week, Wednesdays through Saturdays, except there is no show on Thursday, July 4 and an added show on Sunday, July 7. All curtain times are 8:30p.m.

The show is directed by ELTC's artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth, who saw the production at Abingdon Theatre Company in New York with ELTC's technical director, Lee O'Connor in February, 2012. After the show, Gayle approached Jan about a production in Cape May.

Award-winning playwright, Jan Buttram, whose work has been seen around the country, with several scripts published by Samuel French, began her theatrical career as an actress with the New Orleans Repertory Theatre under the direction of June Havoc. She performed Off-Broadway and in national tours, and was co-founder of the not-for-profit Abingdon Theatre Company, dedicated to developing and producing new plays by American Playwrights. This marks her twentieth year as the company's artistic director.

Although Gayle and Jan first met over thirty years ago, this is the first time the two have worked together.

Leon Morgan takes on the role of the runaway slave. He's performed in NYC, most recently in the Off-Broadway production of "Gym Short," and in several independent films including "Transatlantic Coffee." Other cast members are ELTC favorites Tom Byrn and Stephanie Garrett. Tom performed in ELTC's "It Pays to Advertise" and "The Ransom of Red Chief," among others, and recently performed in "The Trip to Bountiful" at People's Light & Theatre Company. Stephanie was in ELTC's "Christmas in Black and White" and "Rain," and is one of ELTC's popular performers for "Tales of the Victorians."

On opening night, June 12, there is an after-show opening night party, at no additional cost, at Pier House Restaurant, 1317 Beach Avenue. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be served, and patrons have the opportunity to mingle with the actors, playwright, director, and fellow theater lovers.

For those who can't attend opening night, but wish to talk to the cast and crew, there is the opportunity at an after-show question-and-answer on Friday, June 21. On Friday, July 12, is a special American Sign Language performance.

Tickets are $30 general admission; $25 senior (age 62 and over); $15 full-time students; and ages 12 and under are free. Season Tickets are only $80 for four shows, and tickets may be used in several ways, including using all at one performance, or seeing four different shows, and must be purchased by July 1.

The location is The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May, where ELTC is in residence. For more information and reservations, contact ELTC by calling 609-884-5898, or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org.

East Lynne's production season would not be possible without season sponsors Curran Investment Management, Aleathea's Restaurant, and The Henry Sawyer Inn; show sponsor La Mer Beachfront Inn; The NJ Dept. of State, Division of Travel and Tourism; NJ State Council on the Arts/Dept. of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; and the generosity of many patrons.

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