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.