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.
East Lynne Theater Company
“The Poe Mysteries”
July 25th through September 1st, Wednesdays through Sundays at 8:30 p.m., explore the first modern detective stories ever written. In the world premiere showings of “The Poe Mysteries” adapted by James C. Rana, protagonist C. Auguste Dupin unveils his enticing case history. Dupin is not a professional detective and his motivations for solving the mysteries throughout the play’s three stories change. Using what Poe termed “ratiocination”, Dupin combines his considerable intellect with creative imagination, even putting himself in the mind of the criminal. A recluse living in Paris, avoiding people and bill collectors, Dupin is surprised when an American journalist comes to interview him. As the great detective recalls his cases, the characters of these tales spring to life on stage. Six actors portray 50 roles in Edgar Allan Poe’s famous “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “The Murder of Marie Roget,” and “The Purloined Letter.”
The East Lynne Theater Company
at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May
500 Hughes Street
Cape May, NJ
www.eastlynnetheater.org
Cape May Stage
“The 39 Steps”
August 8th through September 7th, Tuesdays through Sundays at 8 p.m., catch Patrick Barlow’s theater adaptation of Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps, the thriller detailing the bizarre intrigue of Richard Hannay’s encounter with “Mr. Memory”. Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theater. This 2-time Tony® and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters, an on-stage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and some good old-fashioned romance! A riotous blend of virtuoso performances and wildly inventive stagecraft, The 39 Steps amounts to an unforgettable evening of pure pleasure! Enjoy this unique comedy thriller at a particularly low cost on August 17th’s “Pay What You Can” evening showing beginning at 8 p.m. The show runs for a total of two hours with an intermission break.
“God of Carnage”
Now in its final few shows at Cape May Stage, “God of Carnage” by Yazmin Reza “starts out as a more or less rational discussion of a misunderstanding and rapidly descends into a knock down, drag out brawl”. “Star and Wave” critic Ed Wismer continues, stating, “The animated antics and biting dialogue left me limp but happy”. Catch this ferocious comedy until the evening of August 3rd at 8 p.m. Fast, furious and very funny, this winner of the 2009 Tony Award for Best Play is a 90-minute thrill ride to the most dangerous place on Earth: parenthood. After their children are involved in a playground brawl, two sets of savvy parents meet to sip espresso and politely discuss the matter. When the veneer of refined sophistication quickly cracks and their evening spins into chaos, the gloves come off and arguments become tantrums in a hilariously uncivilized free-for-all. A comedy of manners…without the manners! Parents, beware. This show does contain strong language. “God of Carnage” last 75 hilarious minutes, without an intermission break.
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, Tisha’s, Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille, The Washington Inn, and more.
The Robert Shackleton Playhouse
Corner of Bank & Lafayette Streets
Cape May, NJ 08204
www.capemaystage.com
By Megan Kummer