East Lynne Theater Set for SHERLOCK HOLMES

"The question is the sequence of events leading from the jewel-case at one end, to the stomach of a goose at the other. You see, our deductions suddenly assume a more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the jewel - the jewel was in the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat." Sherlock Holmes is speaking to his loyal friend Dr. Watson, and they are on their way to investigating a curious crime, which might save an innocent man from prison.

Step back in time, on Friday, March 19, and Saturday, March 20, at 8:00p.m., when the Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company presents Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes' Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" in the style of a radio broadcast, complete with live sound effects and commercials, just like the Sherlock Holmes' radio series on NBC that premiered in 1930. Craig Wichman, Founder and Producer of the nationally acclaimed Quicksilver Radio Theater, adapted "The Blue Carbuncle," like he did last season's "The Speckled Band," for which he received the National Federation of Community Broadcasters' "Gold Reel" for Radio Drama Award.

Lee O'Connor is once more portraying Holmes, and Fred Velde returns as Dr. Watson. Lee 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, who was in ELTC's "Anna Christie" and "Rain," has appeared in over fifty shows in NYC, including the Off-Broadway revival of Mae West's "Sex." Portraying several roles apiece are Mark Edward Lang and Daisy Ouzts. Mark has appeared in many ELTC productions including last season's "The Butter and Egg Man," and "Alice on The Edge." He was recently seen Off-Broadway in "Welcome Home Marian Anderson" and regularly performs with the NYC-based Laughingstock Company. Daisy, a recent graduate of The Atlantic Theater Company's two-year conservatory program, was in ELTC's "The Butter and Egg Man" and is a founding member of The Common Tongue, a New York City-based international theater company. Rob LeMaire, who appeared in ELTC's "To the Ladies!" and "The Ransom of Red Chief," is also portraying several roles, and operating the live sound effects. Gayle, in her eleventh year of working for ELTC as Artistic Director, plays severAl Smaller roles and directs.

The performances are at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., where the company is in residence. Tickets are $23 for general admission, $13 for full-time students, and, as always, anyone age 12 and under is free. Since ELTC is celebrating New Jersey Theatre Alliance's "Family Week at the Theatre," when anyone age 18 or under brings two general-admission patrons on Friday night, these patrons will receive two-for-the-price-of-one tickets; that's $23 for two. For information and reservations, call 884-5898 or go online at www.eastlynnetheater.org.
To receive a full schedule of events for "Family Week at the Theatre" visit www.familyweek.com.

"Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" is also part of Cape May's "Sherlock Holmes' Weekend." For other Sherlock Holmes' events, contact The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts at 884-5404 or online at www.capemaymac.org.

ELTC is producing other local "Family Week at the Theatre" events which are free, including student performances at Whitesboro (March 12) and West Cape May Elementary School (March 16); and a theater workshop at the Cape May Court House Library (March 17). The company is taking the Sherlock Holmes radio show to the Ocean View Assisted Living Center on March 18, however, this performance is not open to the public. ELTC's popular "Victorian Magic" will be at the Newark and Ocean County Public Libraries on March 13 and 17.

After the Holmes performance on March 20, the troupe heads up to Garnerville, NY to perform a matinee at the Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library on Sunday, March 21.

Photo: East Lynne Theater Company actors performing a Sherlock Holmes Adventure Radio-Style.