ELTC to Host Radio Show & Gala Next Month

Why did a man in Pennsylvania create The Red-Headed League in London? Who is the person behind "The Voice" stealing millions in Manhattan? What questions about East Lynne Theater Company's rich background will be asked at its gala celebrating 35 years of presenting American classics and world premieres?

By attending two events in November, all will become clear when the Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company brings back it's radio-style productions and it's annual fundraising gala.

Before television and the Internet, people sat eagerly by the radio to hear the latest dramas, comedies, and news. Many radio shows were performed in front of a live audience at the same time they were being sent across the "airways." ELTC invites you to be part of our radio-style shows on Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7, with two new mysteries under the title "Detectives Holmes and Carter." In "The Adventure of the Red-Headed League," Sherlock Holmes must learn why a man from Lebanon, PA, left money in his will to start a club for men with red hair. In "The Voice of Crime," the illusive "Vox" announces he will pay Nick Carter if the clever detective discovers where his next robbery will occur. The same cast of seven perform both shows back-to-back on the same night, going from Holmes' Victorian England to Carter's Manhattan during World War II.

While "The Red-Headed League" is not the original script by Edith Meiser that was aired on NBC (this one is adapted by Gayle Stahlhuth), "The Voice of Crime" IS the original script, used with permission by Conde Nast.

Lee O'Connor first portrayed Holmes in ELTC's William Gillette's "Sherlock Holmes" and has become one of the main storytellers for the company's "Tales of the Victorians." Fred once more portrays Dr. Watson. He was in ELTC's "Anna Christie," "Rain," "Dulcy," and "The Poe Mysteries," and has appeared in over fifty shows in NYC, including the off-Broadway revival of Mae West's "Sex."

Taking on the role of Nick Carter is Mark Edward Lang. His work with ELTC includes "Zorro!" as an actor, and "Anna Christie," as a director. In NY, he performed in "Welcome Home Marian Anderson" and wrote and performed in "Lunt and Fontanne: The Celestials of Broadway."

James Rana, Thomas Raniszewski, Robert LeMaire, and Gayle Stahlhuth take on a variety of roles. Recently, James appeared in an episode of "Chicago Fire," ELTC produced his world premiere adaptation of "Huckleberry Finn" and he played Tomaso in "Strictly Dishonorable." Also in "Huckleberry Finn" and "Striclty Dishonorable" was Thomas. Robert has been performing off-and-on with ELTC since "The Dictator" in 2001.

Gayle Stahlhuth, who adapted "The Red-Headed League" and directed, is in her seventeenth year of serving as artistic director to ELTC.

Performances are at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., where the company is in residence. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for full-time students and those in the military, and, as always, ages 12 and under are free. For information and reservations, call 609-884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org. "Holmes and Carter Mysteries" is part of Cape May's "Sherlock Holmes' Weekend." For other Sherlock Holmes' events, contact The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities at 609-884-5404 or online at www.capemaymac.org.

After the Cape May performances, the "radio" show goes on the road to several libraries and senior living communities in New Jersey.

Opening nights this season are dedicated to the memory of someone the cultural community lost during the past year - and who had an impact on ELTC. Opening night of "Detectives Holmes and Carter" is dedicated to the memory of Mary Morris (1921-2014) who, with her daughter, Barbara, created and helped to operate The Henry Sawyer Inn, a beautiful B&B on Columbia Avenue in Cape May.

On Monday, November 9, ELTC presents "155 in 35": 155 Years of Theater in 35 Years of East Lynne Theater Company. When Warren Kliewer founded the company in 1980, it was the only professional theater in the country with the mission of presenting early American plays and adaptations based on American history and literature. Past productions include "The Politician Outwitted" (1788), "Rip Van Winkle (1859), "Madame Butterfly" (1900), "Rain" (1922), and the world premiere of "The World of Dorothy Parker," based on her writings through 1943.

Aleathea's Restaurant at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean Street, is once more hosting the gala, which includes dinner, entertainment, and our popular trivia contest, with prizes. Music is performed by Chris Sooy and Lew London with singers Jennifer Bissell and Eric Stephenson, who were recently in ELTC's "Strictly Dishonorable," and the MCs are Mark Lang and James Rana. Scenes from past productions will also be performed. Once again, there is a silent auction, the raffle for a Dream Vacation, and the recipient of the Historic Jackson Street Neighborhood Association Scholarship Fund in the Name of Bob and Toni Green will be announced. Cost for "155 in 35," is $55, and reservations may be made by contacting ELTC at 884-5898 or by e-mail at eastlynneco@aol.com.