Evan Smilyk and Mark Lazar in East Lynne Theater Company’s “Ah, Wilderness!”
Excellent reviews continue for the award-winning East Lynne Theater Company’s “Ah, Wilderness!” The recent “Philadelphia Inquirer” (8/20/17) called it a “charming production.”
This Eugene O’Neill comedy originally starred George M. Cohan as Nat Miller, a devoted husband and father. Mark Lazar, who was in ELTC’s “Zorro!” is now playing this iconic role.
When asked about the play, Mark said, “Nat Miller is widely considered to be one of the ‘roles of a lifetime.’ It most certainly is for me, and I am ecstatic to be doing it. As I was preparing for rehearsals, with each page I memorized, I continued to fall more and more in love with this lovely piece of theater. And this ‘love affair’ continues with each performance.”
Born and raised in Madison, Wis., Mark served in the Navy before majoring in acting at the University of Wisconsin. A member of Actors’ Equity Association, he was a founding member of the Madison Repertory Theatre, where he worked for 10 years. He then performed for 10 years at the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival. Abigail Adams, Artistic Director of People’s Light & Theatre in Malvern, Pa., was hired to direct a production there, and asked Mark to work for her company. He’s been a company member at People’s Light for 18 years now, and starts rehearsals for its annual Holiday Panto after “Ah, Wilderness!” closes.
This large-cast comedy runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May, through Sept. 2. Information/reservations: (609) 884-5898 or www.eastlynnetheater.org.