East Lynne Theater Helps the Food Closet

As usual this time of year, the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company will be accepting nonperishable items for the Cape May Food Closet. What is needed are small cans of soup (10.5 oz.), toilet tissue, and laundry detergent. Any canned food items will be graciously accepted, as long as they have current and future expiration dates.

Of course, items will be accepted any time, but for patrons attending the Friday, Dec. 9 performance of ELTC's "Christmas Presents from the Past,” 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.

There are only three performances remaining of the world premiere of "Christmas Presents from the Past:" Sunday, Dec. 4, and Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9 and 10 at 8:30p.m., 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 $25 for general admission; $15 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: Aleathea's Restaurant, and The Washington Inn.
"Christmas Presents from the Past" include Mark Twain's "Susie's Letter from Santa Claus," "The Christmas Masquerade," by Mary Wilkins Freeman, "What the Bells Saw and Said"by Louisa May Alcott, and perhaps the most famous American Christmas story of all time, "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry.

These classic tales were adapted by ELTC's artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth who also performs the thirty-some characters in storytelling fashion. With the flick of a wrist, the bend of the waist, the turn of the head, and a change in the tone of voice, she brings a character to life in a heartbeat.
One reason there are only five performances of the Christmas show is that ELTC is very busy this time of year. Stahlhuth is conducting a workshop for Road Scholars and the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities' (MAC) Dickens Christmas Extravaganza Weekend, and ELTC Board President Frank Smith is performing tales, adapted by Stahlhuth, several times a week, though December 31, for MAC's Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Tours. On Monday, Dec. 5, ELTC's fundraising event, "Cheese School," sponsored by Seaside Cheese Company and The Cape May Winery, takes place from 7:00-9:00p.m. at the Winery for $28 ($32 at the door).

Season tickets for the 2012 Mainstage Productions are available and make a great Christmas present! The price is 4 shows for only $80.00, a $40 savings for single-ticket General Admission. They can be used in any way at any time. Use all 4 for one show, or see 4 different shows, and any combination in-between. There are five exciting productions planned for 2012, along with a special silent film series with live organ accompaniment. 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.

For information and reservations, call East Lynne at 884-5898 or visit the web site at
www.eastlynnetheater.org. East Lynne's season would not be possible without the support of Curran Investment Management, La Mer Beachfront Inn, Aleathea's Restaurant, the NJ State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; the NJ Dept. of State, Division of Travel and Tourism; and the generosity of many patrons.