East Lynne Theater Company celebrates its 38th season with its annual gala on Monday, Nov. 5 at Aleathea’s Restaurant at the Inn of Cape May. The entertainer is Patricia Durante, singing the songs of Patsy Cline, and the host is James Rana, who is currently on Broadway in “The Band’s Visit.” Live music is also provided by Chris Sooy and Lew London on piano and violin.
ELTC brought Durante to perform her “We’ll Meet Again: Songs of World War II,” for an enthusiastic audience at The Chalfonte this past August. She graduated from the American Music and Dramatic Academy, and also studied at HB Studios in NYC and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. In 2015, she was the winner of The New Jersey Footlight Award for “Best Actress in a Musical” for her portrayal of Patsy Cline in the Women’s Theater Company’s (Parsippany, N.J.) production of “Always Patsy Cline.”
The gala begins at 5:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. At 6 p.m. is dinner, and at 7:00 p.m. the entertainment begins. There is also a silent auction, the raffle for the Great Escape Vacation (tickets may be purchased in advance by contacting the office), ELTC’s 2019 season will be revealed and the recipient of the Historic Jackson Street Neighborhood Association Scholarship Fund will be announced. Guests may come in Country Western and/or 1950s-1960s attire if they wish.
Aleathea’s Restaurant at the Inn of Cape May, at 7 Ocean St., is once again graciously supporting ELTC’s annual gala. Cost is $75 and at this time, reservations may be made only by calling ELTC at (609) 884-5898. All proceeds go to the not-for-profit East Lynne Theater Company to support the production season and educational outreach.
Meanwhile, there are two performances remaining of ELTC’s “Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Speckled Band” at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St. Show is Nov. 2-3 at 8 p.m. For reservations and information, visit www.eastlynnetheater.org, email eastlynneco@aol.com or call the above number.