Photo from the cast of East Lynne Theater Company’s “Ah, Wilderness!”
“‘The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam!’ That’s the best of all! ‘A jug of wine, a loaf of bread and thou beside me singing in the wilderness,’” announces 17-year-old Richard, defending his choice of literature to his parents. His letters to 17-year-old Muriel contain quotes from Khayam and Swinburne. Finding these letters offensive, Muriel’s father forbids Richard to see her again. Heartbroken, he goes on a bender and meets Belle. Is Richard going to turn into his Uncle Sid, or can he be brought back to his senses? Eugene O’Neill’s comedy about teenage growing pains takes place in Connecticut during the July 4th weekend in 1906.
The Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company presents “Ah, Wilderness!” with a cast of 14, from July 26 to Sept. 2, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. The opening night party is at The Merion Inn, across the street from The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., where ELTC is in residence. There will be an after-show Q&A on Aug. 4.
The cast of 14 (most pictured here) includes those who’ve worked for ELTC: Jared Noah Aronoff, Rachel Holt, Mark Edward Lang, Mark Lazar, Rob LeMaire, Alison J. Murphy, Emma Palzere-Rae, Thomas Raniszewski and Evan Smilyk; and those new to ELTC: Connor J. Burke, Brigid Harrington, Sydney Freihofer and Jakob Pender. ELTC’s artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth, directs and plays a small role.
Meanwhile, “Will Rogers’ U.S.A.” runs through July 22, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. For information and reservations, call (609) 884-5898 or visit www.eastlynnetheater.org.