East Lynne Theater Helps The Food Closet

As usual this time of year, the Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company will be accepting nonperishable items for the Cape May Food Closet. What is needed are paper products, tooth paste, and food, with current and future expiration dates.

Of course, items will be accepted any time, but for patrons attending the Friday, Dec. 10 performance of ELTC's "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus" they will save $3.00 off the already low admission price when bringing Food Closet items. This $3.00 deduction cannot be combined with any other deduction, such as the $3.00 savings when bringing in a theater stub from a past production.

There are only three performances remaining of the "The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus:" Sunday, Dec. 5, and Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10 and 11 at 8:30pm, where the company is in residence, at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St. As usual with ELTC's Christmas shows, the company reduces its regular ticket price as an early holiday gift to its audience. Tickets are $23 for general admission; $13 for full-time students, and as always with ELTC productions, those ages twelve and under are free. Dinner/Theater packages are still available at the following restaurants: The Merion Inn, Aleathea's Restaurant, and The Washington Inn.

Based on L. Frank Baum's book of the same name, it is presented in storytelling fashion by Gayle Stahlhuth who portrays all of the thirty-plus characters. Her past solo Christmas performances of stories by Louisa May Alcott and O. Henry were praised by reviewers and audience alike.

Baum gave Claus an exciting life that evokes all the charm, warmth, and fantasy that made his "Oz" stories American classics. He took Claus out of his conventional trappings, and placed him into the world of folklore, complete with fairies, gnomes, and nymphs.

"The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus" was selected by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts to be part of the American Masterpieces Series in New Jersey. American Masterpieces is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts, acknowledging those who introduce Americans to "the best of their cultural and artistic legacy." This marks the third year in a row that an ELTC production has been so honored.

For information and reservations, call 884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org.

Season tickets for 2011 are available and make a great Christmas present! The price is 5 shows for only $100.00, a $50 savings for single-ticket General Admission. They can still be used in any way at any time. Use all 5 for one show, or see 5 different shows, and any combination in-between. There are six productions planned for 2011. Season tickets may be purchased at the box office, through the website, or by mailing a check to the office: 121 Fourth Ave., West Cape May, NJ 08204.

East Lynne's production season would not be possible without season sponsors Curran Investment Management, Aleathea's Restaurant, and La Mer Beachfront Inn; The NJ Dept. of State, Division of Travel & 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.