East Lynne Theater Company presents "Yuletide Tales"

Typical this time of year, East Lynne Theater Company’s artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth, after plowing through dozens of stories, selects a few to present for the holidays in storytelling fashion. This means that everything is memorized and at least 30 different characters are interpreted, many with simple gestures like the flick of a wrist, a nod of the head, and/or a change in the dialect. The tales are endearing, witty, and appropriate for all ages. This year, the American writers she’s selected are Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864), Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909), Mark Twain (1835-1910), and O. Henry (1862-1910), under the title “Yuletide Tales.” In Hale’s “9 Linwood Street,” an Irish girl arrives in Boston, but her brother isn’t on the dock to meet her. With the help of many, she eventually arrives at this unique address. In “Susie’s Letter from Santa Clause,” Twain, as Santa, explains that she will get the trunk filled with doll clothes, but must talk to Santa first through the household speaking tube. The plans for the trunk delivery are whimsically elaborate. Hawthorne’s “Snow Image” is about two children who create a child out of snow, or was it just their imagination? But the real question becomes, did their father have the right to question their imagination? O. Henry provided his usual “twist” at the end of “The Gift of the Magi,” proving that the love between two people is stronger than the gifts they gave each other. Venues where Stahlhuth has performed her one-person shows include The Smithsonian and Manhattan Theater Club. When she performed Baum’s “Life and Adventures of Santa Claus,” it was designated an “American Masterpiece,” part of the NEA’s Masterpieces Series. Also this time of year, ELTC accepts nonperishable items for the Cape May Food Closet when performing. What is needed most are boxed spaghetti, shampoo, canned veggies, and coffee. For monetary donations, checks should be made payable to The Community Food Closet of Cape May. “Yuletide Tales” is presented on November 25, 26, December 4, 8, 9, and 10 at 8:00 with a 2:00 show also on December 10, at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St. Tickets are $27 general admission; $17 for students/military; and ages 12 and under are free. For reservations, call 884-5898, e-mail eastlynneco@aol.com, or visit www.eastlynnetheater.org. Season tickets for the 2017 Mainstage Productions are available and make a great gift. The price is only $88 for 4 shows, a $40 savings for single-ticket General Admission. They can be used in any way at any time. Use all 4 for one show, or see 4 different shows, and any combination in-between. There are five exciting productions for 2017 that include “Will Rodger’ U.S.A. starring Tom Byrn, Eugene O’Neill’s coming-of-age comedy, “Ah, Wilderness!,” a world premiere about World War I, “A Year in the Trenches,” written by James Rana, “Louisa May Alcott’s Christmas,” “Detectives Holmes and Carter,” and “Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Speckled Band.” Also planned are a silent film series with live organ accompaniment, staged readings, workshops, and “Tales of the Victorians.” Season tickets may be purchased at the box office, through the web site, or by mailing a check to the office: 121 Fourth Ave., West Cape May, NJ 08204.