Save at the Stage this Memorial Day Weekend!

Memorial Day weekend is bearing down upon us!  The summer season is just starting, but Cape May Stage’s season has already been in full swing for a few weeks.  If you haven’t been down to the Robert Shackleton Playhouse yet, get there soon!

Dominic Hoffman as the Artist in "Uncle Jacques' Symphony"

Uncle Jacques’ Symphony is a hit with audience members, and Cape May Stage has several ways for you to see this melodic gem at a reduced price.  This Sunday, May 27^th, is our Half-Price Senior Matinee.  For seniors 62 and over, tickets are only $15 – that’s 50% off the regular senior price of $30.  Tickets go quickly for these matinees, so get yours soon. 

Not quite yet a senior?  That’s okay – Cape May Stage has ticket specials for everyone.  Make it a memorable night out with one of our Dinner and a Show packages!  We have deals with nine of Cape May’s world-renown eateries: whether it’s a $25 show ticket with every entrée, or a low-priced prix-fixe dinner, we have something available for every wallet and palette.  Check out the Dinner & A Show page at capemaystage.org for details.

Rapp appears on July 2

Speaking of savings, there’s still time to subscribe to the season and save!  This season boasts several different subscription options: something to fit every budget and schedule.  Our 7-show ($255) and 3-show ($127.50) Opening Night Series allows you to experience all the excitement of opening night – including mingling with the cast and crew at our exclusive after-parties.  Our 7-show ($196) or 3-show Flex Pass ($94.50) gives you the liberty to choose any dates in the run of the show.  We also have subscriptions for our acclaimed Broadway Series: see such stars as Anthony Rapp, Christine Ebersole, and Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry – a 6-show package is only $250, while a 3-show package is $170.  Subscribers get the first choice of seats and bargains on hats, t-shirts, and wine bags – and are quickly accepted as part of our Cape May Stage family.

Justin Deas stars in "God of Carnage"

It’s hard to believe that we’re less than a month away from mounting God of Carnage!  This farcical comedy has been delighting American audiences since its Tony-winning Broadway run in 2009.  Hilarity ensues when two couples – Manhattan yuppies meet crunchy liberals – to discuss their middle school sons’ recent altercation.  The juvenile behavior isn’t relegated only to the children as the evening’s pleasantries slowly crumble into insanity.

See capemaystage.org or call 884-1341 for details.  The season is only just begun!

Meet the Mezzanine, A Masterpiece, & The Marx Brothers Lost Radio Show-- On Stage this week!

 

Cape May Stage just keeps growing – onward and upward, literally!  We’re thrilled to finally share some of our magnificent growth with our loyal patrons.

MEET YOUR SEAT!  An Open House Event, May 20-12-2pm

On Sunday, May 20^th from noon to 2pm, we’re hosting Meet the Mezzanine- an open house event sponsored by PNC Arts Alive.  This isn’t a new post-modern absurdist play: it’s your chance to see our new 26-seat mezzanine.  “We love selling out shows,” says Artistic Director Roy Steinberg, “but we hate turning people away.  Hopefully the new mezzanine will help to alleviate that problem.”  Local preservationist Dave Clemans has been overseeing the winter’s work, and the dust had finally settled.  Stop by for tours of the theatre, the new mezzanine, and our new state-of-the-art technical booth.  Relax in our beautifully landscaped grounds while dining on light refreshments.  Cape May Stage staff will be on hand to give you the inside scoop on the exciting 2012 season, as well as discounts on tickets and Discovery Summer Theatre Camp reservations.  Stop down – you might win something!

Join us May 21, One Night Only

We’re kicking off our Second Stage Series on Monday, May 21 with Flywheel, Shyster, & Flywheel: The Marx Brothers’ Lost Radio Show.  A sure bet for Marx Brothers lovers as well as for those who haven’t yet been introduced to their particular brand of zaniness, Flywheel… is the hilarious comedy show that introduced The Marx Brothers in 1932 on NBC Radio.  Groucho is the wisecracking attorney Waldorf T. Flywheel, and Chico as his ne’er-do-well assistant.  Since these broadcasts were aired in the days before radio shows were recorded, the crazy shenanigans and classic routines were lost.  But now, these shows are brought back to life for the first time in decades.  Created by young writers Nat Perrin and Arthur Sheekman, who also worked on the scripts for the classic Marx Brothers comedies, Monkey Business and Horse Feathers, audiences of all ages will delight in this fun, laugh-out-loud comedy!

And the reviews are in for Uncle Jacques’ Symphony – another hit for Cape May Stage!  Audiences adore Dominic Hoffman’s virtuoso performance: the multitude of characters he creates to tell the story of jazz great Jacques Hoffman have been thrilling audiences for the past week.  A treasure not to be missed, Uncle Jacques’ Symphony runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm through June 4.  In June, a Wednesday night performance will replace the Saturday matinee.  Get your tickets soon!

Check out our website at capemaystage.org or call 884-1341 for more details.  Subscriptions are still available.

The Wait is Finally Over! "Red" opens 10/27

Roy Steinberg with director Chris Dolman

Roy Steinberg stars as Mark Rotho

The long awaited opening night for John Logan's play, Red, is finally here.  Cape May Stage is in the forefront of leading theatres across the country mounting this fascinating play about Mark Rothko who returned the largest amount of money given for a commission (at that time) so he could retain possession of his paintings. Tonight, October 27 is the official opening night at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse with the cast party at Hemingway’s at the Grand Hotel on Beach Drive right after the show.  Come and meet the director and cast and engage them in conversation about this significant play.


Chris Dolman is the director of Red and is known to Cape May Stage audiences from the beginning days of this theatre.  He directed Doubt and performed in Art, and with Red, continues the tradition of working in one syllable titled plays. His friendships in the community are many and even date back to Michael Laird, the founder of this theatre.


Artistic Director Roy Steinberg will make his Cape May Stage acting debut in Red playing Mark Rothko.  Steinberg appeared on Broadway in the Tony nominated play Wings with Constance Cummings.  He played opposite Christopher Walken in Measure For Measure and opposite William Hurt in Lanford Wilson's The Rhimers of Eldritch.  He won the Best Actor Award at Yale Drama School where he received his MFA in Acting.  In subsequent years, he has appeared in film and television, as well as at the leading regional theatres (Kennedy Center, Santa Fe Festival Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, New York Public Theatre) in the nation.


RJ Barnett makes his Cape May Stage debut, as well, playing Ken.  Barnett has played in Dracula, The Goat or Who Is Sylvia, and Les Laisons Dangereuses in New York.  He has performed at the Northwest Shakespeare Festival and is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Call 884-1341 or go online at capemaystage.org to reserve tickets.  Red performs Thursday through Saturday evenings (with matinees on the Saturdays and Sundays) through November 19.  Give yourself a treat before Thanksgiving.  You'll be thankful you did.

Now Playing: The Woolgatherer- Special Evenings of Theatre Planned for October; Nancy Hasty and Shawn Fisher fill the Second Stage this Fall

STAGE Magazine hails The Woolgatherer as "a truly beautiful production."

Nancy Hasty as Bobbi in "Florida Girls"

The Woolgatherer performs for three more weeks and this funny, but compelling play has been a great addition to the Cape May Stage season.  We are hoping that everyone has the opportunity to see first-rate acting in a beautifully mounted production.  Seniors pay half price on Friday, October 7.  Sturdy Savings Bank is sponsoring a special ASL performance for the deaf community on October 14.  William Mastrosimone has loved this production of his play and will be coming back weekly to see it and talk with audience members.  Cape May Stage is once again premiering a new version of a hit play.  The Little Prince premiered here and went on to Bristol Riverside Theatre and the New Victory Theatre in New York.  Charles Evered's play, Class premiered here and went on to perform in Los Angeles and Europe.

The Second Stage will be producing Florida Girls on Monday, October 3 at 8 pm.  Inspired by Lily Tomlin and Whoopi Goldberg, Nancy Hasty has created fifteen hilarious characters in a story about a Florida beauty pageant circa 1965. The Pennsacola New Journal reviewed it as "unique in its own right, Florida Girls merits a place alongside Steel Magnolias."  The Second Stage is delighted to have found a time to bring Nancy Hasty to our community so soon after our production of Steel Magnolias.  Tickets are only $20 and this is bound to be an entertaining evening of theatre.

Cape May Stage exists, in part, to create new works of dramatic literature.  On Monday, October 17 we will present a reading of a new play starring Lynn Cohen and Adam Wade and Michael Basile.  How To Make A Rope Swing takes place in a South Jersey town where they are replacing an old schoolhouse.  It is written by Shawn Fisher who also designed the sets for The Woolgatherer, Topdog/Underdog, Happy Days, and Proof.  The story concerns a beloved principal and custodian who is the longest employed African-American in the school's history. A long suppressed moment in history is revealed which changes the town and everyone in it.  This may well be the first step in the process of producing this play in a future season.

All of these events can be seen by calling 884-1341 or by going online to capemaystage.org.  Celebrating the written word with the finest actors is what defines Cape May Stage. Come see us and join our growing community.

This September: Kate McCauley Hathaway takes the Stage in "Blue Plate Special" and CMS opens Mastrosimone's debut play "The Woolgatherer"

Kate Hathaway stars as Clairee in "Steel Magnolias"

As we look forward to September, Cape May Stage begins to shift gears from "Steel Magnolias" to "The Woolgatherer" and the Second Stage wraps up its Broadway Series to collaborate with Cape May Forum.

"Steel Magnolias" continues for one more week - your last opportunity to see this hit play of the season.  Wednesday, September 14 is the half price preview for what promises to be the most important play of our season - the world premiere of a new version of William Mastrosimone's "The Woolgatherer".  William Mastrosimone is the author of "Extremeties" (later made into a film with Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett).  "The Woolgatherer" was his first play and it was a big hit at Circle Repertory Company in New York in the 1980s.  We present a new updated version with the author in residence. This two-hander is about a South Philadelphia woman with a big secret who invites a gruff truck driver back to her apartment for what he thinks will be a "one night stand".  The title refers to a dreamer, but takes on a whole new meaning once you see the play.  William Mastrosimone will be doing a talk back on September 17.  Mr. Mastrosimone will be represented on Broadway later this season and Cape May Stage once again brings you the major players of the twenty first century.

 Our Second Stage presents a cabaret evening on Monday, September 19 featuring Kate Hathaway as part of Cape May Forum's "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?".  After all the serious discussion and lectures about the politics and socio-economic implications of food, come prepared to laugh as Kate Hathaway sings "If I Knew You Were Coming, I'd A Baked A Cake".  Roy Steinberg and Marlena Lustik will join Kate Hathaway on stage with quips and witticisms about everything from oysters to complicated desserts. "Be Our Guest" from "Beauty and the Beast" sets the tone for this evening of sheer delight. The proceeds will benefit both Cape May Forum and Cape May Stage.  Call 884-1341 or go online to capemaystage.org to purchase tickets.

 Cape May Stage is the place to be no matter the season.  Our summer shows are always big comedies and after Labor Day, we transition to more dramatic shows.  "The Woolgatherer" is the perfect transition show because while it’s funny, it delivers a poignant punch.  Actors frequently use the monologues from this show as audition pieces because the writing provides such opportunities for the actor to show his or her range.  Cape May Stage is committed to bringing the best talent to our town so you are assured of seeing first-rate theatre.

 Cape May Stage has become a destination for many vacationers.  People plan their weeks to see our shows. More new patrons have come than ever before. We are so thankful to our supporters and invite newcomers to experience what so many people have discovered.

Final two Weeks to see "The Understudy" | Maureen McGovern & Tovah Feldshuh take the Stage

Maureen McGovern in concert July 25

Tovah Feldshuh will appear on August 8

With only two weeks left to see Theresa Rebeck's "The Understudy," tickets have been selling fast.  This fast-paced comedy has been selling out, so reserve tickets now by calling 884-1341 or going online to capemaystage.com.  Three Equity New York actors are the perfect cast for this funny and poignant play that has been hailed, "a masterpiece of comic clockwork timing."  The town has embraced these actors and you'll love seeing them on stage in a romantic triangle.


This Monday, July 25, at 8PM is your opportunity to see another Broadway luminary in Cape May Stage’s Second Stage "Women of Broadway" series.  Maureen McGovern is bringing her new show to Cape May before opening in New York this autumn.  You'll remember Maureen McGovern from singing "The Morning After" and "We May Never Love Like This Again" - both winning Oscars for ‘Best Song’.  She is using Paul Simon's lyric to title her show called dangling conversations…  We are thrilled to offer you artists that play on Broadway, at Carnegie Hall, or the Hollywood Bowl in our intimate Robert Shackleton Playhouse where you are never more than seven rows away.  After the show, ticket holders will have an opportunity to meet Maureen at the Washington Inn’s Wine Bar and enjoy a complimentary signature drink exclusively for audiences of that show.


On August 8, Tovah Feldshuh will be coming to our stage to perform her concert, Aging Is Optional, before it moves to New York.  This multiple Tony nominee is a legend in the theatre and Cape May audiences will be the first to see her newest show.  Tovah still holds the record for the longest running one-woman show in Broadway history with Golda's Balcony.  We have had the greatest voices on Broadway - Mary Testa, Karen Ziemba, Liz Callaway-- all on our stage.  Don't miss Maureen McGovern this coming Monday and Tovah Feldshuh in two weeks.


Our first session of summer theatre camp wraps up with a free performance of The Tempest on Saturday, July 23 at 1PM at the Emlen Physick Estate. The second session of our summer camp begins on August 8 and runs through August 20 with a final performance that day.  Campers will be performing in Shakespearean verse and singing and dancing, as well as building their sets and costumes.  It is always a joy to see campers from nine to seventeen performing outdoors at the Physick Estate on Washington Street with such accomplishment and confidence.  The performances are free and the memories are priceless.  Sign up your camper now!


There is so much going on at Cape May Stage - call 884-1341 now to join the fun.

Now Playing: "The Understudy" / Broadway's Liz Callaway appears on July 18

"The Understudy" by Theresa Rebeck stars G.R. Johnson, Luke Darnell, & Kristen Calgaro

Liz Callaway takes the stage on July 18

"The Understudy" continues to delight audiences at Cape May Stage.  Theresa Rebeck's comedy provides much to discuss even as you're laughing in the aisles.  Once again, Cape May Stage is in the forefront of producing new and exciting work for our community.  Cape May Stage is presenting the New Jersey premiere of this play continuing a tradition of exposing audiences to what is the newest and best work in contemporary theatre.  Again, the Equity theatre fulfills its mission of producing work by women writers.  Last season, Topdog/Underdog written by Suzan Lori-Parks was many patrons’ favorite show of the season. This season, it may well be Theresa Rebeck's The Understudy.

Speaking of talented women, the new "Women of Broadway” Series will be launching this month.  In a little over a week, Broadway’s leading lady Liz Callaway takes the stage at 8PM on July 18 and kicks off the series.  Liz Callaway, Maureen McGovern, and Tovah Feldshuh will be doing solo concerts at the intimate Robert Shackleton Playhouse where patrons are never more than seven rows away from these revered artists.  Ticket holders will get the chance to meet them after their performances at the Washington Inn’s Wine Bar where a complimentary signature drink awaits them.  Tickets are $75 each.  However, purchase a “Women of Broadway” Series package to see all 3 for only $150 and enjoy one of the performances for free!  Call (609) 884-1341 for details.

The ‘Summer Shakesperience’, Cape May Stage’s award-winning summer theatre camp that produces a Shakespearian Play for campers ages 9 to 17 starts July 11.  This year students take on Shakespeare’s comedy, Twelfth Night! Hurry to sign your campers up for a life changing experience.  Cape May Stage’s Education Outreach Coordinator Don Toal leads this camp once again.  Campers design and build costumes and sets, as well as perform outdoors on the beautiful grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate in Cape May, home of the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities.  The cost of the two-week camp is $325.

Call 884-1341 or go online to capemaystage.com to sign up for the camp or to buy tickets.

Theresa Rebeck's "The Understudy" takes the Stage on June 23rd! Join us on June 26 for a 'Denim & Diamonds' fundraiser!

The closing week of Say Goodnight, Gracie can only mean one thing: next week is the official opening night for The Understudy!

The Understudy by Theresa Rebeck is the story of an action hero from feature films making his Broadway debut in a play by Franz Kafka.  His understudy arrives for a rehearsal and it turns out the understudy was engaged to the female stage manager.  That relationship provides the fodder for outrageous comedy and insightful observations about our culture.  Three New York actors bring their wonderful work to Cape May Stage!

The next night is the official opening night!  Join the party after the show at the Pier House on Beach Drive and meet Kristin Calgaro, G. R. Johnson, and Luke Darnell.  There is always a celebratory energy after an opening night particularly after a comedy!  The designers and director will be in attendance and they always enjoy talking about the work. Grab a cocktail and enjoy a special night.

The really exciting news is that Cape May Stage's spring fundraiser, Denim & Diamonds, is next week on Sunday, June 26th at the Corinthian Yacht Club!  This is the "see and be seen" event of the year and a wonderful excuse to wear something glittery with your dress-up denim!  There will be great music supplied by Blondage and an auction with new and exciting prizes!  It is guaranteed to be fun - and while you are enjoying yourself, you are also helping to bring the finest theatre and education outreach to our community.

The community of Cape May is such a special place.  It is events like Denim & Diamonds that provide the support for the growing reputation of Cape May Stage. People here see cutting edge theatrical events before anyone else.  The New Victory Theatre on Times Square in New York just announced the new season and it starts with The Little Prince with the same cast you saw at Cape May Stage!  We are so thankful to all of our supporters and that list expands with each new season.  More and more people are hearing about Cape May Stage and coming here to see what all that talk is about.  Be a part of it!

Call 884-1341 or go to capemaystage.com for tickets!  Life is too short to miss the fun times!

FInal Two Weeks of Shakespeare before The Little Prince Opens!

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) roars in for its final performance on Saturday night, November 20!  Our three comedians will be riding that roller coaster ride to your funny bone for the rest of this week and then those walls of the Globe Theatre will come tumbling down to make room for a giant sand-box that will house our next production of The Little Prince.


PNC Arts Alive selected Cape May Stage to be part of an elite group of theatres to receive support from its five year, five million dollar arts initiative from the PNC Foundation. Through their support, Cape May Stage is producing a special ASL performance on Friday, November 19th.  At this performance, signers will be at the side of the stage translating the antics of our cast to American Sign Language.  This is yet another way that Cape May Stage reaches out to all members of the community so everyone can enjoy what you voted "the best theatre in Cape May County 2010".

Thanksgiving is around the corner and the hustle and bustle of shopping could use a brief pause to catch one's breath.  Retailers have dubbed the Friday after Thanksgiving "Black Friday" because they expect so much traffic as the holiday season gets started.  At Cape May Stage, we call that Friday "Opening Night"!  The Little Prince is Antoine de Saint-Exupery's most famous novella and Cape May Stage brings that story to life in a groundbreaking production that is already scheduled to move on to bigger venues.  The holidays bring out the child in everyone and this production celebrates that innocence. Little nuggets of wisdom are told through words like "One sees clearly only with the heart.  The essential is invisible to the eyes."  Scott Hitz was on the production team of the Broadway smash hit Avenue Q and uses his expertise with puppets to tell this story in a whole new way.


Cape May Stage creates seminal theatre.  Work that begins here is often seen later in larger and more expensive venues.  The best value for art and entertainment is right here in our little town.  Call 884-1341 or go to capemaystage.com and reserve your seats today!

Savings and Special Events are On Deck this November for the Hilarious "Complete Works of William Shakespeare [abridged]"!

T.S. Eliot said that "April is the cruelest month" but the folks at Cape May Stage feel that November can be the cruelest month and, so, they mounted a very funny play suitable for the whole family called The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) that plays through November 20th!  In celebration of Veterans’ Day, PNC Arts Alive has sponsored a Veterans’ Night on November 11 with special discounts for all veterans and their families. 

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) is a three-person parody of all of Shakespeare's plays in ninety minutes.  You don't need to know a thing about Shakespeare as these improvisational comedians take you on a roller coaster ride that is all mayhem.  Prepare to laugh yourself silly as this piece makes no pretense of being anything but a good time.  PNC Arts Alive has sponsored a "Pay-What-You-Can" matinee on November 14 at 3PM, so everybody can enjoy these antics.  Everybody needs a pick-me-up in November and this play provides a jolt of adrenaline!

Coming up, the performance on November 19 will include a sign language interpreter for the deaf community.  It is fascinating to watch the American Sign Language interpreter at the side of the stage signing the words of the play (even for hearing audience members).  Cape May Stage brought in a Guest Director who is the Artistic Director of the Colonial Shakespeare Festival.  Harland Meltzer is a respected Shakespearean director who is having fun taking a break from the serious stuff to use his vast knowledge in pursuit of a cheap laugh!  Artistic Director Roy Steinberg has known Harland Meltzer for decades and has directed at Harland's theatre on numerous occasions.  They both love good actors and Harland has assembled a first rate cast to entertain Cape May Stage audiences.

A very exciting event is happening this week in New York and Cape May!  On Friday, November 12 at 2 PM, the Drama Book Shop at 250 West 40 Street in Manhattan will host a reading and book signing of the publication of Class by Charles Evered. Cape May Stage acting intern Meghan Hoffman (seen in Romantic Fools and Cape May Kids) will join Artistic Director Roy Steinberg in reading excerpts from the play. The author will fly in from California to sign copies of this text, which lists Cape May Stage as having produced the world premiere!  The event will be repeated at Cape May Stage on Sunday, November 14 at noon.  Both events are FREE and open to the public.

So get out your calendars and find a time to see The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) and come to the reading of Class by Charles Evered which is published by Broadway Play Publishing, Inc.  People are talking about Cape May Stage all over the country. See what all the buzz is about!  Call 884-1341 or go online to capemaystage.com to reserve your seats right now!