George Burns shares the stage this week with Pupphitz and Mimes---It's Vaudeville at its finest!

After a week of sold-out performances with standing ovations, "Say Goodnight Gracie" begins another week of keeping audiences convulsed with laughter even as they wipe their eyes from the beautiful love story that is being told. As Joel Rooks emerges in his costume and make-up from the fog that begins the show, there is an audible gasp as the audience sees George Burns before their eyes.


This is hardly the first time Mr. Rooks has played the role. He understudied and played Burns on Broadway and has been performing it all over the country. The difference this time is that Cape May Stage is not part of a national tour but the production has been re-directed to fit in our space. Since we don't have a formal proscenium arch, we decided to use footlights for the vaudeville sections rather than what are called "chaser lights" that blink on and off around the arch. Rehearsals were spent working out wind patterns for the fog and how and when to use that famous cigar. Even though Mr. Rooks has played the role many times, each new production is an opportunity to discover something new. We identified moments that we wanted to heighten and examined possible new readings of certain lines. The Broadway producer of "Say Goodnight Gracie" is William Franzblau and we have been in close contact with him. He generously allowed us to buy the rights and archival footage because he knew that the show would have "artistic integrity" with Joel Rooks in the role.

I first worked with Joel Rooks some twenty five years ago when we both were part of Circle Repertory Company. I directed Joel in a host of new plays that were performed in the "lab". Circle Rep had some of the finest actors, directors, playwrights and designers working in New York in the nineteen seventies and eighties. The theatre eventually closed but artistic relationships continued. I later directed Joel in "The Learned Ladies" by Moliere and he was hilarious as a pompous poet. After that, I was directing a new play off Broadway called "Second Summer" with Joan Copeland. Joel Rooks brought the house down in his comic role. Once I knew I was coming to Cape May Stage, I knew I wanted Joel Rooks to be part of my season!

July 4 week-end is a particularly busy time at Cape May Stage. "Go North Penguin" is a puppet show from the reknowned puppet company called pupphitz. They will be performing at 11 am on July 5 at the Robert Shackleton Theatre on Bank and Lafayette Streets. This is the story of a penguin looking for his home. Since he lives at the South Pole, the only way to go is north! We thought Cape May is the perfect place for a show about going north since we are at Exit Zero of the Garden State Parkway!!

"7 (X 1) Samurai" is the story of "Seven Samurai" performed by a world-class mime and clown. You'll not want to miss David Gaines in this award winning show. It is perfect for families and is much anticipated this season! Call 609 -884-1341 or go on line at www.capemaystage.com for tickets!

When a show closes and another opens: the change-over, the schedule, and saying goodbye!

With the last three performances of “Souvenir” about to happen, plans are underway to strike (take down) the big golden frame that is onstage and return the period furniture to the Saltwood House Bed & Breakfast. The pink bench that is used in the second act goes back with our thanks to Deborah Brown at the Cape May Antique Center. The furniture and set for “Say Goodnight Gracie” is already stored and waiting to be brought to the theatre. On June 20th everything happens at once! It is closing night and the actors will be packing up their dressing rooms. The costumes will be packed and shipped back to New York. A crew will be taking down the blacks and putting in the new set. That baby grand piano needs to come off of the stage and will be picked up by a church that will be its new home. Cape May Stage interns will be driving the actors back to Atlantic City even as the lighting designer will be hanging new lights and focusing them for “Say Goodnight Gracie”. A projector will be installed high in the lighting grid to screen archival footage. Rehearsals have already begun for that show and Broadway veteran Joel Rooks will be reprising the role he played on Broadway.

Across town at the Beach Club, June 20th is also the night of our annual Summer Fundraiser! Bounce into summer is the theme for what will certainly be a fun filled evening. There will be dancing under the stars to live music as fabulous appetizers are passed with complimentary sangria! Save some room for the amazing desserts and get ready to bid at the live auction. If a silent auction is more your preference, we have great items at the silent auction as well!

Closing nights are often emotional for performers! It is the last time that actor will ever say that line in that production and it is a truism that an actor always discovers something new on closing night! Add to that emotional evening the fact that a new show is being launched even as a huge party is rocking the beach club and you have an idea of what Cape May Stage is all about. This is just the beginning. Wait until you see what’s planned for the rest of the season!

Only 2 Weeks left of "Souvenir"!! (Don't miss this special one-night only event) Catherine Wolf: "On Becoming" opens in Cape May, NJ - June 15

There is an energy and excitement on the corner of Lafayette Street and Bank Street where a grey building with red shutters that used to house a church now explodes with laughter. Some people have seen "Souvenir" multiple times and have commented on how much they love the performances and notice the nuances they may have missed the first time around. Dave Clemens exclaimed "the best two hours I have spent in this building" and audiences routinely give standing ovations during the curtain call. When audience members fill out comment cards the words they use are "outstanding", "excellent", "hilarious" and "the best theatre experience I have had". There are only two weeks left to see this opening production of the season. The actors are honing their craft and finding new moments to explore with every audience. On Friday, June 12 Cape May Stage presents a special Senior Night where tickets are half price for seniors. There is nothing like hearing trained artists in an intimate venue like Cape May Stage.

To compliment "Souvenir", Cape May Stage is presenting Catherine Wolf in "On Becoming" on Monday, June 15. "Souvenir" tells the story of Florence Foster Jenkins who sold out Carnegie Hall despite her inability to sing on key. Catherine Wolf comes from a musical family and (though she is an accomplished singer) she opted to be the only member of her family not to pursue a musical career. Her Uncle Boris Goldovsky, was heard on the radio for thirty years discussing opera during the intermissions of the Metropolitan Opera Broadcast. Her grandmother was Lea Luboshutz who was brought to the United States by Sol Hurok to feature as a violinist. Her great aunt and uncle were world famous duo pianists (Pierre Luboshutz and Genia Nemenoff) and this delightful play shows all of these family members through the eyes of a little girl as she grows through her music lessons to adulthood. "On Becoming" is directed by Jack Gindi and features Paul Trueblood on the piano. Audiences in New York have loved this play and Cape May Stage is delighted to present this evening to our theatre community!