East Lynne Theater Company to Restage MR. LINCOLN

On Good Friday, April 14,1865, when the President and Mrs. Lincoln were watching "Our American Cousin" at Ford's Theatre, John Wilkes Booth entered the President's box. A few days earlier, General Lee had surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox.

In Herbert Mitgang's play, "Mr. Lincoln," the President's life flashes before him, from his early days as a flatboatman on the Mississippi River to his final night at the theater, as Booth aims his pistol. Most of the monologue for this compelling play is taken directly from Lincoln's own writings and speeches.

By popular demand, the award winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company is bringing back "Mr. Lincoln," once more starring Tom Byrn. Howard Shapiro, for WHYY Public TV and Radio, gave ELTC's production an excellent review last summer, stating that "Tom Byrn evokes the spirit of Lincoln." From May 26-29, ELTC's production will be performed at Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble in Bloomsburg, PA.

This is Byrn's seventh show with ELTC, and he'll be back in the fall in "Biography." Recent acting work includes "Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike" at the Cider Mill Playhouse in Endicott, NY and "The Country Wife" at the Franklin Stage Company in Franklin, NY. This winter, he taught drama and English classes at a high school in Istanbul.

Dave Bova created the wig and make-up for Lincoln. He's worked throughout the country, and his wig construction for Broadway alone includes "Wicked" and "Spamalot." Marion T. Brady created the costume. For over twenty years, she has been the primary costume designer for ELTC, receiving excellent reviews for her work in "The Wall Street Journal," "The New York Times," and "The Philadelphia Inquirer." Gayle Stahlhuth, who directed "Mr. Lincoln," has also been applauded in the above mentioned newspapers for her work.

Playwright Herbert Mitgang (1920-2013) wrote for "The New York Times" and was an assistant to Fred W. Friendly at CBS News. He wrote two books on Lincoln. Mitgang's widow, children, and grandchildren are coming to see ELTC's production on May 13.

"Mr. Lincoln" runs from May 11 through May 21, Wednesdays through Saturdays. On May 11, there is a 2:00 p.m. matinee, with other shows at 8:00 p.m. There are now over 100 students from the Wildwood School District and Cape May Elementary School coming to see this production on May 11. The location is the historic First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May, where the company is in residence.

A special dinner/show package has been created with co-sponsor Cape May Forum on Wednesday, May 18. Dine at The Island Grill, where chef Josh Day has created a special Southern menu, and see the show followed with a Q&A with Tom Byrn and Gayle Stahlhuth. Tickets are $60, and may be purchased through the Forum by calling 609-770-2626 or visiting www.capemayforum.org. Regular ELTC tickets are also available for this evening.

Tickets are $32 for general admission, $27 for seniors (62 and over), and $17 for full-time students, and those in the military(active and veterans). Ages 12 and under are free when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Season tickets are available until July 1, cost $88, and are flexible, even allowing patrons to use all four for one performance. Dinner/show packages are available for A Ca Mia, Aleathea's, The Blue Rose Inn, 410 Bank Street, Frescos, and The Washington Inn. For these bookings, contact the restaurants.

All tickets are available for purchase with credit card, cash or personal check at the box office when there is a performance, through ELTC's website, www.eastlynnetheater.org, by phone, 609-884-5898, e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com, or by sending a check to the office: 121 Fourth Ave., West Cape May, NJ 08204.

Photo by Gayle Stahlhuth

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