Rainy Day Guide: Theater Review

What to do when the skies aren’t blue? The father of literature, William Shakespeare, once wrote, “All the world’s a stage,” in his comedy “As You Like It.” But on a dreary Cape May County day, why not check out the indoor stages of talented local theater companies? When skies are grey, let the latest shows from Cape May’s theater companies impress you.

Cape May Stage

“Chapter Two”
June 27 through Aug. 3
Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m.

Filled with the humor that made Neil Simon famous, this semi-autobiographical story of a recently widowed writer, his press agent brother, soap star love interest and her neurotic best friend explores what it means to take a second chance on romance. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
June 27: Best Value Preview; June 28: Official Opening Night with Party; July 8: Best Value Night; July 13: Pay-What-You-Wish Performance.

Tickets are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors (62+), and $25 for students and active military. Prices may vary by performance. Cape May Stage performs at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse, 405 Lafayette St., Cape May. For tickets and more information, visit www.capemaystage.org or call the box office at (609) 770-8311.

East Lynne Theater Company

“On the Sunny Side of the Street”
Now through July 21
Wednesday through Saturday at 8:30 p.m. (no show on Wednesday, July 4; additional show on Sunday, July 8)

A cast of four bring the lyrics of the incredible Dorothy Fields to life in this world premiere revue, with Charles Gilbert as musical director and accompanist, and Karen Cleighton as choreographer, under the direction of Gayle Stahlhuth. During her almost 50-year career, Dorothy Fields wrote lyrics for more than 400 songs. She worked on 15 Broadway musicals, sometimes as book writer and/or lyricist, and almost 30 Hollywood films. In 1927, she received sole billing as lyricist for a revue at Harlem’s Cotton Club that featured Duke Ellington and his orchestra. With composer Jimmy McHugh back in the 1920s, she wrote such songs as “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love” and “On the Sunny Side of the Street.” Her film music with Jerome Kern included them winning the Academy Award for Best Song in 1936 for “The Way You Look Tonight” from Swingtime. Cy Coleman, 20-years her junior, asked Fields to write the lyrics for his music for the Broadway shows Sweet Charity (1965) and Seesaw (1973). Other collaborators with whom she worked include: Sigmond Romberg, Morton Gould, Arthur Schwartz, Harold Arlen, Albert Hague, Fritz Kreisler, Max Steiner, Oscar Levant, Harry Warren and Burton Lane.

Tickets are $35 for general admission, $30 for seniors (65+), $20 for students and military, and free for ages 12 and under. East Lynne Theater Company performs at the First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May. For tickets and more information, visit eastlynnetheater.org or call (609) 884-5898.