A Heart-warming Holiday Event Opens this Week at Cape May Stage

TOMORROW is Thanksgiving and we at Cape May Stage give thanks for having an open and embracing community of theatre-goers along with artists that choose to do their work on our intimate stage.  After feasting with friends and family members, the artists and staff of Cape May Stage return to open the most anticipated show of the season: Antoine de Saint -Exupery’s The Little Prince.

Every opening at Cape May Stage is a joyous event, but this Friday, November 26 will be particularly special. Congress Hall is the location of the festivities, and all of the actors and puppeteers will be celebrating the launch of a major theatrical event. Scott Hitz is the creator of this extraordinary show. He was the Master of Puppetry this past season at the famed O’Neill Center in Connecticut.  Scott was on the production team of the Broadway hit Avenue Q and has been working on this show for over a decade.

Michael Schupbach (pictured) is a multiple Emmy Award-winner known for his work on Sesame Street and the prestigious Shakespeare in the Park in New York. Michael has designed the puppets for this production and will be performing here at Cape May.

After performing throughout December at Cape May Stage, The Little Prince will move to Bristol Riverside Theatre in Pennsylvania and continue from there.  Because this production is geared for families, Cape May Stage has introduced a matinee schedule on Saturdays and Sundays. The anticipated demand for tickets has the premier Equity theatre producing two shows every Saturday and Sunday.

There will be a half-price senior night on Sunday, December 5 at 8pm sponsored by PNC Arts Alive. We are able to do these special shows because PNC believes in what Cape May Stage is doing.  We are in an elite group of theatres chosen for this honor. You have also chosen Cape May Stage as the Best Theater in Cape May County 2010. We have chosen to do The Little Prince at Christmas time in an effort to expand holiday fare. This children’s classic is a celebration of seeing through new eyes. The wonder and mystery of an aviator landing his plane in the desert is re-imagined in a giant sand box with talking flowers and wise animals. The holidays are a time of magic, and The Little Prince will be a magical evening of theatre.

Call (609) 884-1341 for tickets today and don't miss out on this inspiring event!

Comedy Makes Way for Holiday Cheer! As "Complete Works..." comes to a close November 20, "The Little Prince" Opens Friday, November 26!

"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!

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!

This Marks the Opening Week for "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" - Our Silliest Show of the Season!

This marks the opening week for "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" which will undoubtedly be the silliest production of the year!  As always, preview tickets (October 27) are half price and that always insures an overflowing audience so reserve your seats as soon as possible!  The opening night is tomorrow (October 28) and includes the "after-party" where that opening night audience gets to mingle with the actors and designers and the director. There will be food and a cash bar and that special opening night energy in the room.  These events are always great fun - particularly after a comedy! Reserve tickets at 609-884-1341 or go online at capemaystage.com to order tickets.

This play uses the audience at times so get ready to join the fun!  You may find yourself as part of the action!!

On Sunday, October 31 PNC Arts Alive sponsors a senior matinee at three o'clock so that seniors on a fixed income can enjoy the mayhem!  Get your Halloween costume ready, come laugh at "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" and then go home to change into that costume so you can party!

Next weekend represents an important milestone for the Second Stage.  Cape May Stage strives to bring the brightest and most exciting artists from every discipline of the performing arts.  For the first time, we are bringing a major dance company on to our stage!  Jeanne Ruddy Dance has long been hailed as an important modern dance company in Philadelphia.  Jeanne Ruddy danced with Martha Graham and was on the dance faculty of the famed Julliard School in Manhattan.  Having an artist of her caliber in Cape May is a thrilling event.  She has chosen light-hearted and comic dances that are sure to entertain even as you are wowed by the technique of her extraordinary company.  Equally exciting is the news that Jeanne Ruddy will conduct a master class connected to this performance.  The word has gone out among the dance schools in the area and Cape May Stage is proud and delighted to welcome this prestigious company to our season.

November is a special time in Cape May so get prepared to come to Cape May Stage to see "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)" and then see Jeanne Ruddy Dance on Sunday, November 7 at three o'clock.  Cape May Stage is the center of arts education in South Jersey and is the premier Equity theatre in the county!

On Deck: "Complete Works of Williams Shakespeare [abridged]" opens October 27-November 20!

The final four performances for Topdog/Underdog are upon us and this gripping, edgy show will close on Saturday, October 23.  These closing nights are a kind of theatrical event of their own as set walls come down and furniture is hauled away to make room for the next show.  We switch gears completely as The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) gets ready to preview a week from today (Wednesday)!


Cape May Stage purposefully keeps programming entirely different theatrical styles and genres so that you can experience all kinds of theatre at the highest level!  We close a thought-provoking Pulitzer Prize winning play and change things up with pure silliness and fun!  This fast paced, improvisational play uses current topical references and popular culture interspersed with more or less "Shakespearean" dialogue for an evening of sheer delight!  And patrons will be thrilled to know this production includes matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 3PM as well as evening performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 8PM.


The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) began at the Paramount Ranch in Agoura, California and was a big hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.  Soon after, it played at the Arts Theatre in London and at the Westside Theatre Off-Broadway in New York.  Eventually, the play moved back to a full West End production at the Criterion Theatre in London.


There have been many productions of the play since then and we had to decide whether to take an already existing production or mount our own version.  We decided to start anew using the Artistic Director of the Westerly Rhode Island Shakespeare Festival to helm the show so that it would be fresh and alive and have a theatricality that comes with new people working together for the first time.  The set was shipped from Utah where Shawn Fisher is the head of the design department in the graduate school at their university.

 Get ready to laugh!  Call (609) 884-1341 for tickets today!

It's all About Survival this month at Cape May Stage!

Next weekend, Cape May Forum asks "Can Humor Save The World?" and Cape May Stage has programming on the main-stage and on our Second Stage that prepares us to answer that question.

Topdog/Underdog previews tonight and opens tomorrow with a gala after-party where audience can meet the actors and production team.  This Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play uses humor to address some very serious issues about power dynamics, race and sibling rivalry.  The language is raw and vibrant. The issues are gripping.  The characters are dynamite.  Playwright Suzan-Lori Parks won a "Genius award" from the MacArthur Foundation.  There is so much excitement leading up to the opening of this cutting edge play!  Two brothers deal with shifting identity and betrayal.  Humor is the key element used in making these street characters appealing so that an audience can identify and root for them.  Shakespeare used this same device in Henry IV - Parts 1 & 2 so that thieves and cowards in the tavern scenes become lovable clowns though their deeds are contemptible. Aristotle tells us, "in a comedy the people on stage are like us but less than us" (2.4). There will be discussions and analysis of how humor is used in this play during Cape May Forum's tenure next week.

Killadelphia will be coming this Monday, October 4.  Another edgy, comedic look at a serious subject comes to our Second Stage.  In the summer of 2008, Philadelphia was in the midst of a murder epidemic that put it on par with some third world countries.  Sean Christopher Lewis takes an unflinching look at the causes of the crime rate and its effects on the community.  It has been described as "a mixtape of a city" and the New York Press called the piece "explicitly authentic".  It is the perfect companion piece to the gritty Topdog/Underdog and uses humor in much the same way to distance the spectator so they can absorb the true meaning and message of the author.  The solo play is at 8 PM and tickets are $20.

The following night Cape May Stage will be honoring Arlette de Monceau Michaelis who wrote Beyond The Ouija Board about her experience in World War II as a teenager in occupied Belgium.  Dr. Ron Goldstein brought Ms. Michaelis to the attention of Cape May Stage.  There is little funny about Nazis occupying one's country but Arlette Michaelis filters her experience through the eyes of a rebellious teenager and her awesome courage is at times quite funny as well.  Ms. Michaelis has been lecturing about this experience for many decades and her students are more likely to remember these stories than the lessons she taught as a teacher for the last thirty years.  This evening is absolutely free and Ms. Michaelis will be presented with a plaque for her great service.

Tickets to all of these programs can be reserved at capemaystage.com or by calling 884-1341!

In all of the above programs violence and serious issues are endured through the use of humor.  Cape May Stage joins with Cape May Forum to ponder the question "Can Humor Save The World".  The answer may be less important than the question.