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Restaurant Comedy "Fully Committed" Is Our Season Opener! In Restaurant lingo “fully committed” means “no tables available.” And not just any restaurant – the euphemism is invoked at the kind of fabulously chic places mere mortals haven’t a hope of entering. These are the kingdoms of celebrity chefs like Thomas Keller and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The voice on the phone, answering our presumptuous request for a booking, is specially trained to sound simultaneously apologetic, pitying and disdainful. Wouldn’t it be fun to find out what goes on behind the bluster? Our opening production, Fully Committed, does just that. Becky Mode’s comedy about the workings of such a restaurant brings Tim Williams, known to CMS audiences from last season’s Turn of the Screw, back to town to play 40 characters in this hilarious one-man show. We asked Tim a few questions about the experience. CMS First off, what brought you to acting originally? TW My fifth-grade teacher told my mother that acting classes at the community theater would be a better place than her classroom to discharge my excess energy. After community theater, high school theater, and a BA college degree, I’m still traveling the States doing what I love most... annoying authority figures. CMS Fully Committed is a little different than the gothic horror of Turn of the Screw. What A Tasty Starter! attracted you to the part? TW I’ve always been most fond of comedies because I’m a born clown. I’ve always been a character actor, first and foremost, so to stretch that acting muscle by playing 40 people in an hour and a half keeps my ADD disorder busy. CMS What’ve you been doing since leaving Cape May in the fall? TW I’m in Orlando Shakespeare Festival’s production of Macbeth. CMS You currently base yourself out of Las Vegas – what are your thoughts on Cape May? TW For an out-of-town actor who has come to this idyllic place to do what he loves most, Cape May is a destination, not just another town with the next gig. And working with [Artistic Director] Michael Carleton is always a blast. I’m sure I feel the same way about this place as the thousands who come every year to enjoy the beach, climb the lighthouse, or tour the Victorian homes. While here last year I insisted that Cape May was a Never-Never Land, a small spot of Eden removed from the rest of the world. I swear I don’t work for the New Jersey tourism board. Fully Committed previews on Wednesday, May 21 and ticket prices that evening will be halfprice. The official opening night performance will be the following night, May 22. Performances run Wednesdays through Sundays at 8pm through June 28 at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse of the Cape May Stage. Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information. Visit our 2008 Season page for more information.
Summer on Stage Acting Camp Set For A "Dream" We are excited to announce that our Summer on Stage event Shakespeare: YouthStyle promises to be bigger, better, and extra special as Cape May Stage’s Education Outreach Department builds on the wild success of last season’s popular summer theatre camp. This summer, Mondays through Fridays July 21 to August 9, Summer on Stage students will have exclusive one-on-one instruction from top-notch professionals with creative group sessions in two week-long intensive acting camps. This season, students will enjoy being Groundlings or Nobles and some may even be Apprentices as they adapt, design, and perform a Shakespearean play. Selected by last year’s participants, this year’s camps will focus on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Instructors will focus students on techniques in acting, covering classical to contemporary styles, creative writing, and concepts in theatrical design, as well as encouraging them to express themselves through improvisation and performance. The camps will culminate with live performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream: YouthStyle on the final day of each series. Cape May Stage’s, Education Outreach Coordinator, Jessica Perich-Carleton, says, “We are really excited about the new sessions being offered in this year’s camp.” The Groundlings camp (ages 9-13) meets Monday, July 21 to Saturday, July 26, 10am to 1:30pm. Groundlings will perform Shakespeare on a professional stage and learn contemporary acting techniques as well as Shakespearean language. On July 26, the end of the camp, participants will perform scenes from A Midsummer’s Nights Dream. Cost is $225 per student. The Nobles camp (ages 10-18) meets Monday, July 28 to Saturday, August 9, from 10am to 3pm. Nobles will take classes focusing on the language of Shakespeare and Shakespeare performance, acting for both classical and contemporary styles, and scenic design and construction. The cost of the Nobles camp is $400 per student. The final performance for the Nobles will be Saturday, August 9. Lastly, the Apprenticeship program, which is new this year, is designed to give students (ages 16 and older) the opportunity to experience theatre as a professional artist and teacher. The apprentice will shadow a mentor teacher during the Groundling summer camp. The apprentice is expected to assist and teach in the field of Theatre Performance or Shakespeare acting skills, assist and/or direct a scene from the play, casting the play, all technical aspects (costumes, props, set, sound, lighting), and backstage leadership. In compensation, the apprentice will receive half off the Nobles summer camp. Only two or three apprentices will be chosen for this advanced opportunity. Summer on Stage classes will be held at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank and Lafayette Streets in downtown Cape May. All children with interest in the arts are encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Space is limited. Sign up forms for all Summer On Stage opportunities are currently available on www.capemaystage. com. For reservations, contact Jessica Perich-Carleton, Education Coordinator for Cape May Stage, at (609) 884-1341 ext. 7 or visit our Summer on Stage page on the Cape May Stage website for more information.
Last year’s candlelight reading of Shakespeare’s Macbeth was so wickedly successful (more than 150 of you crammed into our dark and spooky theatre), we’ve decided to bring back the “In the Dark” Series with a slate of FOUR phenomenal scripts, all read by stellar casts and flickering candlelight. Our lineup is: June 16 Sea Marks Gardner McKay’s classic tale of poetry and the sea was the very first script Cape May Stage produced in 1988. Original cast member and living legend Tom McCarthy returns to help us kick off our 20th anniversary season! July 14 Hamlet Shakespeare’s most famous ghost story helps us ring in Bastille Day. Greed, lust, and revenge – what more could you ask for? September 22 Cyrano de Bergerac Edmond Rostand’s classic tale of love, valor, and a rather large nose comes to our stage in a brand new adaptation by CMS favorite Jim FitzGerald. October 20 War of the Worlds This legendary story about an alien invasion that created a nationwide panic in Orson Welles’ 1938 broadcast comes complete with live sound FX and period music. Join us for a Halloween treat... er, trick. Seriously, reservations are HIGHLY recommended. Call (609) 884-1341.
Set Your Name In Brick And Join Our Walk Of Recognition We are proud to invite you to participate in a Project Encore initiative that will forever link the past to the future: the Cape May Stage Walk of Recognition. For $150, you may permanently make your mark on a brick inscribed with your personal message. The Walk of Recognition is located on the pathway leading to Cape May Stage’s home, the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at Bank and Lafayette Streets in historic Cape May. Your name carved in a brick will symbolize the spirit you feel for Cape May, and particularly the outstanding professional Equity theatre company, Cape May Stage. These bricks will be hand-etched and laid geometrically on the walkway leading from Lafayette Street to the steps of the theatre. Local citizens will see your name, the name of a loved one or your business name on a regular basis – forever. Friends of the theatre from far and wide will enjoy a memorable stroll on the Walk of Recognition when they visit Cape May. Participating in the Walk of Recognition demonstrates your commitment to help Cape May Stage cover the costs for the recent restoration and renovation of the historic building. Frequently Asked Questions Why should I purchase a brick? In years to come, your family members, local citizens and visitors will see your brick and recognize your loyalty to Cape May Stage. Your gift also will help support the recent extensive restoration and renovation of our historic home. We need to sell at least 500 bricks to finish paying for our award-winning venture, Project Encore. Can I give in remembrance or in honor of someone? Yes! They are ideal graduation, wedding, holiday and birthday gifts and provide a meaningful way to honor or memorialize a friend or relative. For more information about the Walk of Recognition or Project Encore, please contact Executive Director Joe Pannullo at (609) 884-1341 or visit our Project Encore page on the Cape May Stage website
Cottagers' Night Is A Tremendous Success On August 13, Cape May Stage welcomed The Cottagers’ Association to a cocktail reception before the hit summer show Moonlight and Magnolias. More than 100 Cottagers came to the event and enjoyed a plethora of cocktails, ate wonderful, creative hors d’oeuvres catered by Parea (a catering company from The Pier House and George’s Place) and watched a special performance of Moonlight and Magnolias. Jim Moffatt, Chairman of Project Encore, welcomed the attendees and gave a brief history of the 1854 building. He said the interior of the theatre would be completed by the 2008 season and would include new, comfortable raked seating. The evening was a special first for many of the Cottagers who had not previously been to a production of Cape May Stage. Special thanks go to Mary and Matt Trella, Wilsey Realty, and Tom and Debbie Cutler who helped sponsor the event. This season’s Cottagers’ Night is scheduled for August 25.
Spring is almost here, and it’s time to start thinking about vacation plans! Cape May Stage, through the continued generosity of Elizabeth Hodge, is offering a Vacation Raffle to generate revenue for our operations. One lucky winner will receive a week’s free vacation in 2009 on Pittsburgh Avenue in beautiful Cape May. Tickets can be purchased at the theatre box office during any production of the 2008 season or by calling the office at (609) 884-1341! Here’s what last year’s winners, the Costine family, had to say: “We were thrilled to find out that we had won the raffle for the vacation home this summer! As it turns out, the house we have rented the last two years is now a full-time residence and we were searching for a new rental. We checked out the pictures on the web and it is just beautiful and plenty big enough for our family. “We absolutely love Cape May and all it has to offer. We plan to come back year after year and we couldn’t be more pleased that this year we get to enjoy this amazing prize. Thank you Cape May Stage and best wishes for a successful season!”
Revealed... A Spectacular New Theater! Incredible!”... “Oh my god”... “I don’t believe it!”... Those exclamations have been typical reactions from Cape May Stage’s early-season visitors as they hustled past the box office into the renovated Robert Shackleton Playhouse. It has been a busy off-season for the architects, painters, carpenters, electricians, drapery-makers, seat-builders, floor-refinishers and carpet-layers who have worked under the direction of Project Encore’s volunteer restoration leaders Dave Clemans and Tom Carroll, with spectacular results! It was in December when the Project Encore Restoration Committee agreed on a plan drawn by FMG Architects that would include seven rows of permanent theatre seats – with the first two rows at floor level and the remaining five built into a steel riser platform. The rows are divided by a center aisle. Work began shortly after the new year as a crew of five painters from Action Painting in Cape May spent eight weeks repairing many cracks in the walls and ceiling, preparing all the surfaces and then painting the ceiling (black), woodwork (white) and walls (green). “Andre and his team of painters really did a fabulous job; they were so diligent and looked after every detail”, remarked Clemans. Next up were contractors Ted Nichols, Inc., who took on the most complex job – building the frame and the steel underpinnings of the risers that would hold the stadium-style seats. With nary a hitch, these men finished their work in three weeks – ahead of schedule. Once the risers were constructed, Dave Clemans, Lew Thomas and George Lowry put their carpentry skills to work by finishing off the exterior of the seat foundation with a stylish cover that blended into the overall woodwork design of the building. As with the work they performed on the exterior of the building last year, this trio of meticulous craftsmen made sure every last detail was perfect! Meanwhile, Sue and Tom Carroll picked out the carpet fabric and colors for the carpeting that would cover the stairways and risers. Footlights were mounted along the stairways and Avalon Carpet installed the new carpeting in mid-March. As that job was completed, Leaming Ewing refinished the floors, matching the new wooden flooring installed in the box office and vestibule. By the end of March, significant lighting improvements wereunderway. Anchor Electric installed dozens of new “house lights” in the ceiling of the theatre, while Artistic Director Michael Carleton worked with SVL Solutions in planning for a new stage lighting system. As this newsletter went to press, the only remaining items still to complete included the installation of the new stage lights and supporting electrical system; the installation of the new, soft, comfortable seats; and the hanging of the exquisite draperies, generously donated by Jan Schmidt of Dragonfly Interiors. All work should be completed by early May, and on budget, too. Four years after the launch of
Project Encore, all the planned work
is close to being finished. As Project
Chairman Jim Moffatt puts it, “From the public eye perspective,
there is basically nothing else to
restore or renovate. Next year we “Right now we are getting
ready to enjoy the 2008 theatre
season in the finest Equity performance For more information visit our Project Encore page.
On Friday, March 14, Cape May Stage’s Youth Ensemble under the direction of Holly Birch performed the first act of Neil Simon’s comedy The Good Doctor as part of The New Jersey Theatre Alliance’s 11th annual statewide event, Family Week at the Theatre. The first act of this featured play included classic scenes such as “The Sneeze,” “The Governess,” and “Surgery.” Ensemble members worked hard in creating costumes, memorizing lines, crafting characters, and experiencing the trials of live theatre. Special thanks to Cape May Elementary for hosting us in their auditorium!
Cape May Stage’s Volunteer “Buddie” Program is a fun and easy way to get more involved with the arts and cultural activities taking place at our Robert Shackleton Playhouse. We are recruiting volunteers who are interested in assisting the full-time theatre staff before, during, and after performances. Volunteers are needed for the following functions: greeting patrons and ticket taking (includes guiding audience members to their seats and assisting with special needs members); answering general questions regarding the theatre; selling tickets at the box office on selected days before performances; and selling chances for our annual “week at the shore” raffle before and after performances. Accordingly, Cape May Stage is looking for volunteers who would be comfortable in filling one or more of these roles. We are especially seeking energetic and enthusiastic personalities to help with our raffle sales at each performance! If you are at least 16 years of age and are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact our office at (609) 884-1341. You will be asked to complete a short application and to attend an orientation training session if you are selected. As a volunteer you will be contributing to Cape May Stage’s reputation and success for professionalism and quality as we bring live theatre and arts education to the community. We hope to hear from you soon! Click here to view all job opportuinties at Cape May Stage
Fifth Annual Silver Key Party Highlights Holiday Season On December 16, Cape May Stage held its Fifth Annual Silver Key Raffle at the beautifully decorated Harbor Cove home of Mary and Tedd McKenney. All 75 beautifully dressed guests, wearing black and silver, enjoyed a lovely champagne brunch with glorious gourmet food prepared by George Mallous and John Karapanagiotis of the Pier House and George’s Place restaurants. Happy guests polished off a case of champagne, as well as pitchers of Bloody Marys and other festive cocktails and drinks. Our Silver Key Raffle had 65 amazing prizes, a record number! The gifts and prizes ranged from Broadway theatre tickets to personal training sessions at the gym to gift certificates for Cape May restaurants to beautifully decorated gift baskets full Fifth Annual Silver Key Party Highlights Holiday Season of Lulu’s coffees and holiday treats, and the winners were all thrilled! Chairwoman, Mary Trella, has done an exceptional job in pulling this event together for the last five years. Every dollar raised will help finish Project Encore. In three short years, Cape May Stage has raised more than one million dollars for this restoration project! Thanks to everyone involved, the work begun by Michael Laird almost 20 years ago continues, and thrives, in what will be a beautiful new theatre this season. Pat yourselves on the back, dear Friends of Cape May Stage- – for we could never have done it without you! And watch this space for details of the Sixth Annual Silver Key Raffle! It’s a don’t miss event.
There's Never Been a better year to become a subscriber! If you've never been a season subscriber to Cape May Stage before, than this is the year to join! In 2008, you will experience intimate performances in one of our new, comfy 110 stadiumstyle seats while watching a wide variety of productions — all of the highest quality. Our thrilling 20th season opens with an immensely entertaining one-man tour-deforce, followed by a classic Noel Coward romantic comedy, a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, a perfect World Series theatre treat, a smoky, jazzy story about a legendary blues singer, and a tender homage to one of the greatest holiday fi lms of all time. Join the Cape May Stage family as a season ticket holder and be a part of an ever-growing audience who enjoys professional productions at a 33% savings off the regular ticket prices. Why not get in on the act? Season Subscriptions are on sale for $140 for the six Main Stage productions presented from May through December at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse. Subscriptions can be purchased three ways: call the theatre office at (609) 884-1341; visit www.capemaystage.com and download an order form; or purchase directly at the box office. If not for yourself, then give the gift of professional theatre to someone you love! Call (609) 884- 1341 to order today Click here to subscribe!
Special Dedication Ceremony On Saturday, August 11, a very special and joyfilled event took place in Cape May – the dedication of the Robert Shackleton Playhouse of Cape May Stage resulting from the enormously generous $200,000 donation from the Martel/Shackleton families, including Robert Shackleton’s widow Betty Thurston, to Project Encore for the naming rights to our newly restored 1853 theatre building. The evening began with a gathering of Shackleton family members, friends of Leslie and Myles Martel, Project Encore Restoration Committee members and Cape May Stage personnel at Union Park Restaurant for a wine reception followed by dinner in the Library dining room. Representing the Robert Shackleton family were his widow, Betty Thurston, his daughter Leslie Shackleton Martel, Leslie’s son Corby Kaye and niece Megan Shackleton. During the dinner Leslie related with gratitude the role of her husband, Myles in presenting to the family the wonderful and very appropriate opportunity this donation provided in memorializing the life and legacy of their beloved husband and father. As a highly respected Broadway and film actor in the late 30’s and 40’s and a frequent visitor to Cape May, the connection was perfect. As Cape May residents, Leslie and Myles are thrilled to be doing something of such great benefit to the community. The dedication ceremony took place at the theatre, after dinner and just prior to the performance of our summer show, Moonlight and Magnolias. Michael Carleton, Artistic Director, related the history and highlights of Robert Shackleton’s illustrious career and introduced key people involved in the endeavor leading to this event. Leslie Shackleton Martel and Betty Shackleton Thurston were then invited to the stage where they were given bouquets of red roses and both spoke warmly and happily of the meaning of this dedication to their families. With Michael’s assistance, Leslie and Betty unveiled the handsome portrait of Robert, which afterward was hung in the theatre lobby. The celebration, filled with gratitude on the part of both donors and recipients, continued at intermission as the audience enjoyed wine, compliments of the Shackleton family. This memorable and important evening is now a highlight of Cape May Stage’s almost 20-year history.
Retro Prom Is A Great Night And An Incredible Fund-Raiser! Back by popular demand for the second year, our promthemed event on Monday, June 25 at Congress Hall Ballroom became Retro Prom, an opportunity to reexperience the music and fun of proms from the ’50s to the new millennium! DJ Charlie D returned for an encore and kept the dancefloor full with warm romance and happy revelry amidst the glittering and colorful atmosphere created by the dynamite team of Vickie Tryon and Bill Briggs. Our silent auction, more popular than ever, surpassed last year’s in scope and quality of prizes thanks to the vision and hard work of the chairpersons, Heather Turner and Kate Emerson. Our photography gurus, Don Merwin and Tina Giaimo did their usual great job memorializing those fancy duds and happy faces. Cape May Stage stars, Jim Fitzgerald, Scott Greer and Mark Rector entertained the crowd with some snazzy play. The highlight of any prom is the crowning of the King and Queen and this year’s choice was Lisa and Rob Ransom. This great, fun event netted $13,000 for Cape May Stage’s operating budget – an all-time high for our spring fundraiser! Thanks to all who contributed, and all who came that night!
Raising Funds, Having Fun... So much has been happening for Project Encore this season! The Stage has promoted two events (and a few more are scheduled) that have raised funds for the final phase of our project. Below are some highlights from the summer:
Celebrity Gala Is A Star-Studded Hit! Held despite threatening storms on Sunday afternoon, August 27, the gala's headliner stars included two of the leading actors of the 20th century, Celeste Holm and Robert Prosky. These two icons topped a list of Cape May Stage celebrity favorites including Grace Gonglewski, Tom McCarthy, Andy Prosky, John Prosky, Seth Reichgott, Leisa Mather, and Jim Fitzgerald, who mingled with 250 plus guests of Cape May Stage from 3pm to 6pm. The event was indeed a tremendous success for Cape May Stage's Capital Campaign, Project Encore. More than $22,000 was raised to help fund the current restoration of the theatre. Celebrities and guests were entertained by local musicians George Mesterhazy and Geno White and feasted on delicious food, expertly catered by the Washington Inn and catering manager extraordinaire Randall Segal. The popular live and silent auctions featured many intriguing prizes such as tickets to a Rolling Stones concert, a walk-on part in the Cape May Stage Christmas Show, tickets to Broadway plays and Radio City Music Hall, a wine and cheese soiree at the Chalfonte Hotel, a top of the line gas grill from Swain's Ace Hardware and many other sought-after items. Special thanks for the generosity of the Craig family and the following sponsors: NIA Group, Boardwalk Bank, David and Susan Macrae, Title Company of New Jersey, and Manzoni Realty, and the many people and businesses listed under Celebrity Gala on our Thank You section on Pages 4 and 5. Without their support this exciting and successful event would not have been possible.
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