The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company presents “The American Songbook III," its annual fundraiser. Like the last two years, everyone may test their skills with a Music Trivia Contest, and the focus this time is on mysteries and crime since the theme for 2014 is “What is legal?" Questions could be about music for popular detective shows and crime movies from the past eighty years. To add to the fun, music is performed live by Chris Sooy, Lew London, and Jennifer Bissell, and winners receive prizes.
The evening begins at 5:30p.m. with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. At 6:00p.m. is a special tastings of Aleathea’s specialties, like last year, and at 7:00p.m., the competition begins! The MCs for the evening are Mark Lang and James Rana.
There is also a silent auction, the raffle for the Dream Vacation, and the recipient of the Historic Jackson Street Neighborhood Association Scholarship Fund in the Name of Bob and Toni Green will be announced.
ELTC is celebrating the near-end of a successful 34th season, as it kicks off its exciting line-up for its 54th year of world premieres, American classics, nationally touring productions, and educational outreach for all ages. The annual gala will once more take place at Aleathea's Restaurant at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean Street, and the restaurant, once again, is graciously supporting the event.
This year’s gala is helmed by Dawn Brautigam and Mark Lang, and many who have attended ELTC’s galas before will recognize most of those performing at this year’s event. On the piano is Chris Sooy, whose swing band performed in Atlantic City Casino Hotels and night clubs in the tri-state area in the 1980s and 1990s. Recently, his band performed at the Swedesboro Jazz Festival with Lew London as featured vocalist, guitarist and violinist. Lew is also a professional studio musician, recording engineer, writer, producer, and arranger. He has four albums to his credit in the U.S. and one in Japan, and is a Grammy nominee who performed and co-wrote with Grammy award winner, Steve Goodman. Jennifer Bissell (pictured), vocalist, performed in ELTC's recent production of "Within the Law.” She’s performed with Andrea McArdle in “Mame” at Bucks County Playhouse and Media Theater. Her work in NYC includes roles at the Mint Theater and Theatre 80 St. Mark’s. Mark Lang has worked regularly with ELTC since 2001 as an actor, director, graphic and set designer, and gala co-host. This past season he was in ELTC's "Zorro!" James Rana, who’s acting credits include The Royal Shakespeare Company, is also a playwright. ELTC produced the world premieres of three of his works, “The Poe Mysteries,” “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” and “Zorro!” Next season, ELTC presents his world premiere adaptation of “Huckleberry Finn.”
To attend "The American Songbook III" costs $55. Reservations may be made by calling East Lynne Theater Company at 609-884-5898 or via e-mail at [email protected]. All proceeds go to the not-for-profit East Lynne Theater Company to support the production season and educational outreach. Donations from those unable to attend will be gratefully received, and are tax-deductible.