East Lynne Theater Company Presents ASL Performance of THE POE MYSTERIES, 8/24

On Friday, August 24 at 8:30p.m., there will be an American Sign Language Interpretation of "The Poe Mysteries" produced by the award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company.

     ELTC prides itself on not only producing forgotten gems, but also producing world premieres based on American literature and history.  Most of ELTC’s premieres move on to other venues, like "Tales by Twain" had a run at Surflight Theater, and "Emma Goldman: My Life," will be at The Metropolitan Playhouse in New York in October. ELTC's current premiere, "The Poe Mysteries," moves to Ocean Professional Theatre Company in Barnegat, NJ in October.

     For the first time, Edgar Allan Poe's three detective stories, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," "The Mystery of Marie Roget," and "The Purloined Letter," have been adapted for the stage.  James Rana wrote the script, and he along with Mark Edward Lang, Shelley McPherson, Thomas Raniszewski, Fred Velde, and Grace Wright, portray fifty roles to bring the tales to life.  Not only have all of these actors performed before with ELTC, but Lang, McPherson, Rana, and Velde have performed in various New York venues, including on Broadway, and Raniszewski has performed in Philadelphia.        

     ELTC also prides itself on continuing to present ASL performances for at least one night for each of three mainstage productions yearly.  Beginning this practice in the early 1990's, ELTC was the first theater in the area to hire American Sign Language interpreters. The theatrical ASL interpreters for "The Poe Mysteries" are Kathy Filippo and Gina Lanza, who have performed many times for ELTC. The process involves them seeing the production at least once, plus going over the script several times to figure out who will interpret which roles, and in many cases, come up with signage for unusual names and words.   

     Tickets are $30 general admission; $25 for seniors and those with disabilities and their support companions; and $15 for full-time students. Children ages 12 and under are always free. The location is The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May, where the company is in residence. “The Poe Mysteries” runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30p.m. through September 1 only. For information and reservations, call 609-884-5898 or visit www.eastlynnetheater.org.

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