A NEW BEGINNING, BEGUN
A Note from Artistic Director Craig Fols
It seems appropriate to look back over this past year at East Lynne.
When I took over as Artistic Director in April, it was by no means certain that there would be a 2023 season. All across the nation, the pandemic had left a trail of dead theaters and dwindling audiences in its wake. We had even bigger challenges to face: new leadership meant that almost everything we did, from the way we housed actors to the way we bought paperclips, would have to be rethought, re-imagined, and reinvented.
I am happy to report that East Lynne has not only survived—it has prospered.
I’ll recap our major achievements in chronological order:
On February 19, our Fins fundraiser raised more money than ever, more money than any other non-profit fundraiser at Fins this year.
In May, the City Council of Cape May unanimously approved a plan to partner with East Lynne to create a brand new, state of the art theater inside the old Allen A.M.E Church building on Franklin Street.
On June 14, we opened our 43rd season with my two-character comedy, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, COBBLED TOGETHER BY THE BROTHERS LOVEJOY. That same week, we presented CITIZEN JAMES, OR A YOUNG MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY by Kyle Bass as our first annual Juneteenth Event.
On July 21, OLIVER TWIST was performed by our Student Summer Workshop, adapted and directed by Sally Bingham.
On August 2, DRIVING MISS DAISY opened and became the hit of the Cape May season.
On September 6, we began a six-week run of LOVE LETTERS, featuring prominent local actors and guests from Broadway and beyond.
On September 26, Stephanie Lynne Mason and Drew Seigla blew the roof off The Lobster House regaling us with SONGS FOR A NEW BEGINNING at our East Lynne Gala. October 28 brought our Halloween show, curated by long time collaborator James Rana. Our SHERLOCK HOLMES RADIO DRAMA, revamped by Mark Edward Lang, drew bigger-than-ever crowds in November. And in December, cabaret artist Lennie McKenzie presented his CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA, getting us into the holiday spirit.
And on December 15, Christina Clemans presented East Lynne with a generous donation kicking off our Capital Campaign for the new theater. (READ MORE)
I’ve learned a lot since April. I’ve learned what a theater company can be: a group of individuals coming together to create something of inestimable value for the whole community. So many people contributed to the success of East Lynne this season. In addition to those mentioned above, we had private homeowners housing actors, volunteers doing crew work and putting up posters, local merchants donating money and services, and community partners giving their time and talents to strategic planning and fundraising.
We had a dedicated board, led by Susan Tischler. We had a benevolent landlord, the Cape May Presbyterian Church, led by Reverend Dr. Nicole Wilkinson. And we had the enlightened civic leadership of Mayor Zack Mullock, encouraging us to grow, and providing us with the opportunity to do so.
I could go on and on. And I will, next year--when we announce our 2024 season, and move forward with our building project.
But as 2023 winds down, I just want to thank you all for paying attention, and for making this a banner year for East Lynne.
Craig Fols
Artistic Director
December 21, 2023
When I took over as Artistic Director in April, it was by no means certain that there would be a 2023 season. All across the nation, the pandemic had left a trail of dead theaters and dwindling audiences in its wake. We had even bigger challenges to face: new leadership meant that almost everything we did, from the way we housed actors to the way we bought paperclips, would have to be rethought, re-imagined, and reinvented.
I am happy to report that East Lynne has not only survived—it has prospered.
I’ll recap our major achievements in chronological order:
On February 19, our Fins fundraiser raised more money than ever, more money than any other non-profit fundraiser at Fins this year.
In May, the City Council of Cape May unanimously approved a plan to partner with East Lynne to create a brand new, state of the art theater inside the old Allen A.M.E Church building on Franklin Street.
On June 14, we opened our 43rd season with my two-character comedy, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, COBBLED TOGETHER BY THE BROTHERS LOVEJOY. That same week, we presented CITIZEN JAMES, OR A YOUNG MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY by Kyle Bass as our first annual Juneteenth Event.
On July 21, OLIVER TWIST was performed by our Student Summer Workshop, adapted and directed by Sally Bingham.
On August 2, DRIVING MISS DAISY opened and became the hit of the Cape May season.
On September 6, we began a six-week run of LOVE LETTERS, featuring prominent local actors and guests from Broadway and beyond.
On September 26, Stephanie Lynne Mason and Drew Seigla blew the roof off The Lobster House regaling us with SONGS FOR A NEW BEGINNING at our East Lynne Gala. October 28 brought our Halloween show, curated by long time collaborator James Rana. Our SHERLOCK HOLMES RADIO DRAMA, revamped by Mark Edward Lang, drew bigger-than-ever crowds in November. And in December, cabaret artist Lennie McKenzie presented his CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA, getting us into the holiday spirit.
And on December 15, Christina Clemans presented East Lynne with a generous donation kicking off our Capital Campaign for the new theater. (READ MORE)
I’ve learned a lot since April. I’ve learned what a theater company can be: a group of individuals coming together to create something of inestimable value for the whole community. So many people contributed to the success of East Lynne this season. In addition to those mentioned above, we had private homeowners housing actors, volunteers doing crew work and putting up posters, local merchants donating money and services, and community partners giving their time and talents to strategic planning and fundraising.
We had a dedicated board, led by Susan Tischler. We had a benevolent landlord, the Cape May Presbyterian Church, led by Reverend Dr. Nicole Wilkinson. And we had the enlightened civic leadership of Mayor Zack Mullock, encouraging us to grow, and providing us with the opportunity to do so.
I could go on and on. And I will, next year--when we announce our 2024 season, and move forward with our building project.
But as 2023 winds down, I just want to thank you all for paying attention, and for making this a banner year for East Lynne.
Craig Fols
Artistic Director
December 21, 2023
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A FEW WORDS FROM THE CRITICS
"Neatly adapted…brisk direction… endearing performances.”
- Michael Sommers for The New York Times
“East Lynne’s trademark: polished professional acting.” - Howard Shapiro for WHYY
Selected as one of the top four theaters in New Jersey
– New Jersey Monthly Magazine readership poll
One of the top 75 theaters offering summer productions in North America – The New York Times
"Neatly adapted…brisk direction… endearing performances.”
- Michael Sommers for The New York Times
“East Lynne’s trademark: polished professional acting.” - Howard Shapiro for WHYY
Selected as one of the top four theaters in New Jersey
– New Jersey Monthly Magazine readership poll
One of the top 75 theaters offering summer productions in North America – The New York Times
