East Lynne Theater Company to Offer ASL Performance of ZORRO, 8/22

On Friday, August 22 at 8:30p.m., there will be an American Sign Language Interpretation of "Zorro!" produced by the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company.

Since the early 1990's, ELTC has offered regularly scheduled ASL performances, as well as ASL performances when requested and ELTC is 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.

With the help of Friar Felipe, Don Diego at age fourteen, began to prepare to become the masked man known as "Zorro" so, when older, he could fight against the corrupt governor of Los Angeles in the 1840s. Even his own father and the woman he loved did not know that the famous masked avenger was the same as mild-mannered Don Diego.

There are over thirty characters in "Zorro" played by a cast of seven.

For this ELTC world premiere, James Rana adapted "Zorro!" from Johnson McCulley's "The Curse of Capistrano." He also plays Captain Ramon, who will do anything to capture Zorro. Rana's numerous credits include performing at The Royal Shakespeare Festival in England, and many New York City and regional theaters

Taking on the role of Zorro, is Jed Peterson who recently portrayed Stephen Foster in "Hard Times" in Manhattan. He made his stage debut in George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker" at the New York City Ballet, and his international debut in "He Who Gets Slapped" at the Moscow Art Theatre.

The woman loved by both Ramon and Diego, is Lolita, played by Elisa Pupko whose work includes "The Crucible" in New York City, and numerous episodes of "College Humor." Mark Lazar, who's performed with People's Light & Theatre Company for fifteen years, plays Friar Filipe. Suzanne Dawson has worked Off-Broadway and at Florida Studio Theatre, Buffalo Studio Arena, The Alliance in Atlanta, and Paper Mill Playhouse. She plays Lolita's mother. Mark Lang, whose theater and corporate training events have taken him around the world, recently performed in a Nelson Mandela event in Tanzania. He plays Sergeant Gonzales. Playing young Don Diego is Evan Smilyk, who has played dozens of roles under the direction of Sally Bingham or ELTC's artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth, and has participated in ELTC's Student Summer Workshop for five years.

Joseph Travers, fight director, created the swashbuckling moments. His recent work includes the Broadway production of "Bronx Bombers." Dance choreography was by Beckley Andrews who was in ELTC's recent production of "The First Fifty Years." Her credits include dancing in the Broadway production of "Gypsy" with Patti LuPone. Gayle Stahlhuth, who has produced over 70 productions since she was asked to helm ELTC in 1999, directing "Zorro," and is preparing to direct the next production, "Within the Law."

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. "Zorro!" runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30p.m. through August 30 only. For information and reservations, call 609-884-5898 or visit www.eastlynnetheater.org.

Photo credit: Gayle Stahlhut