ELTC to Host January Fundraiser, 1/31

This is the ninth year in a row that Elizabeth and Stuart Hodes are hosting a fundraiser in Manhattan for the non-profit East Lynne Theater Company. The date is Sunday, January 31 at 3:00p.m. Although ELTC performs mostly in Cape May, NJ, the Hodes are longtime friends of the company, and artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth wrote a two-person play just for them. The musical titled "The O'Tooles Tonight," premiered in Cape May in 2000 under Stahlhuth's direction, receiving excellent reviews, including in "The Newark Star-Ledger."

The afternoon soiree begins with scenes from "State of the Union" by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. First on Broadway in 1948, selections are seen here just in time for an election year. The cast includes Liz Hodes, Thomas Cox, J. Dolan Byrnes, Tom Beel, and Joanne Joseph, under the direction of Jeremy X. Halpern. Following these scenes will be a short introduction to ELTC's 2016 season given by artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth.

After the performances, a light supper, prepared by Stuart Hodes, along with wine, will be served. It's a great time to mingle with fellow theater lovers.

A minimum $10.00 donation is requested, and all proceeds will go to benefit ELTC.

ELTC was the first Equity professional theater in the country to focus on classic American plays and new works based on American literature and history. The forgotten gems of the past revitalized by ELTC, along with provocative premieres, all relevant to today, provide a portal to the past for a better understanding of the present. Named after a popular 19th century America play, this award-winning company is recognized for the quality of its productions as well as its cultural significance by reviewers for "The New York Times," The Wall Street Journal," and "The Philadelphia Inquirer."

ELTC operates all year long with touring shows, workshops, and school residencies, and performs at the historic First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes Street in Cape May, an ADA-accessible venue with excellent acoustics and sightlines.

Space is limited and reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling the Hodes at 212-532-8977 or online at Lizhodes@yahoo.com. The location is the corner of 31st Street and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan.

For more information, go to ELTC's website at www.eastlynnetheater.org or e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com.