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 aren’t blue, let the latest shows in Cape May theater impress you.
The First Fifty Years – Now through July 19, Wednesday-Saturday at 8:30 p.m.
East Lynne Theater Company
This comedy/drama charts the ups and downs of a married couple in seven scenes from 1872, seven years after the end of the Civil War, to their golden anniversary at the beginning of the Roaring ‘20s, in 1922. ELTC’s artistic director tracked down the only known script of this forgotten gem at the Billy Rose Collection at Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts in NYC. Playing on Broadway in 1922, this was the first success of Henry Myers who later wrote screenplays, including Destry Rides Again, and numbered Jay Gorney, who wrote the tune for “Brother Can You Spare a Dime,” as one of his collaborators. Many may know the 1952 Tony Award-winning play The Fourposter written by Jan de Hartog that covers 35 years of a marriage from 1890-1925, and was adapted into the musical, I Do! I Do!, but The First Fifty Years came first.
Plus, on July 1 at 8 p.m., don’t miss a very special performance of “The Dancing Princesses” based on a story by The Brothers Grimm and performed by members of the Student Workshop Theater.
The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May
500 Hughes Street, Cape May
www.eastlynnetheater.org
Moon Over Buffalo – Now through August 1, Tuesday-Sunday at 8 p.m.
Presented by Cape May Stage
Cape May Stage presents the rip-roaringly hilarious farce, Moon Over Buffalo! Known for the outrageously funny hijinks of Lend Me A Tenor, playwright Ken Ludwig does it again with Moon Over Buffalo – called “wildly funny” by ABC News and “one of the most hysterical things put onstage” by The New York Post.
Married actors George and Charlotte Hay are performing at a repertory theatre in Buffalo when the chance of a lifetime strikes! Hollywood director Frank Capra calls to say he will attend a performance to see if the Hayes would be right for the lead roles in his upcoming film. But through a series of hilariously unfortunate events, George winds up drunk onstage and performing the wrong show. Mistaken identities, zany antics and high stakes slapstick ensue as everything that can go wrong does in a series of events that will render the audience breathless from laughter.
Beat hunger AND rainy day boredom with Cape May Stage’s “Dinner & a Show” promotion. Treat yourself to an early evening dinner of your choice at one of Cape May’s finest dining rooms and then receive tickets for the 8 p.m. performance at Cape May Stage – all at a significantly reduced price! Each restaurant is running its own individual special, so reservations must be made directly through the restaurant. Participating restaurants include 410 Bank Street, The Blue Pig Tavern at Congress Hall, The Ebbitt Room, Sea Salt Restaurant, The Mad Batter, Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille, The Washington Inn, Island Grill and more.
The Robert Shackleton Playhouse
Corner of Bank & Lafayette Streets, Cape May
www.capemaystage.com