Tom Byrn as Will Rogers in East Lynne Theater Company’s “Will Rogers’ U.S.A.”
Photo credit: Gayle Stahlhuth
“There’s no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you,” said Will Rogers (1879-1935). As a young man, he worked on ranches, and being a master of the lariat led to his performing in Vaudeville. In 1917, he was a headliner for the Ziegfeld Follies, and in 1922, started a syndicated column that was read in 2,800 newspapers. His wit, wisdom and understanding of the human condition are often compared to that of Mark Twain.
Rogers enjoyed performing his humorous banter to audiences throughout the country. The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company is pleased to offer several evenings with Rogers, as portrayed by Tom Bryn, in “Will Rogers’ U.S.A.,” directed by Gayle Stahlhuth.
Byrn appeared last season in ELTC’s “Biography” and “Mr. Lincoln,” which was also part of the 2015 season, and toured to Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble in Pennsylvania. Howard Shapiro gave “Mr. Lincoln” an excellent review for WHYY TV and radio, with favorable comments for director Gayle Stahlhuth and calling Byrn’s performance a “tour de force.”
Tickets are $32; $27 for seniors; $17 for students and military. Ages 12 and under are free. Season tickets are available until July 1 and cost $88.
On June 14 is an after-show opening night party at The Washington Inn, 801 Washington St. “Will Rogers’ U.S.A.” runs four nights a week, Wednesdays through Saturdays, at 8:30 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May through July 22. Reservations: (609) 884-5898 or visit www.eastlynnetheater.org.