East Lynne Theater Company presents "Sherlock Holmes' Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle"

"The question is the sequence of events leading from the jewel-case at one end, to the stomach of a goose at the other." Sherlock Holmes speaks to Dr. Watson as they begin an investigation that might save an innocent man from prison.

     Step back in time, on Friday, March 18, and Saturday, March 19, at 8:00pm, when the Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company presents Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "Sherlock Holmes' Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" in the style of a radio broadcast, complete with live sound effects and commercials, just like the Sherlock Holmes' radio series on NBC that premiered in 1930. Craig Wichman, Founder and Producer of the nationally acclaimed Quicksilver Radio Theater, adapted the script.

     Lee O'Connor is once more portraying Holmes, and Fred Velde returns as Dr. Watson. Lee first portrayed Holmes in ELTC's William Gillette's "Sherlock Holmes" and has become one of the main storytellers for the company's "Tales of the Victorians." Fred, who was in ELTC's "Anna Christie" and "Rain," has appeared in over fifty shows in NYC, including the Off-Broadway revival of Mae West's "Sex." Portraying several roles apiece are Drew Seltzer and Daisy Ouzts. Drew appeared in ELTC's production of "Berkeley Square." Other credits include "As You Like It" at Princeton Repertory Theater, "Ah, Wilderness!" at Hedgerow Repertory Theatre, and "Tony and Tina's Wedding" in NYC. Daisy, a graduate of The Atlantic Theater Company's conservatory program, was in ELTC's "The Butter and Egg Man" and is a founding member of The Common Tongue, a New York City-based international theater company. Rob LeMaire, who appeared in ELTC's recent "Helpful Hints" and "The Dictator" also takes on several roles and operates the live sound effects. Gayle Stahlhuth, in her twelfth year of working for ELTC as Artistic Director, plays several smaller roles and directs.   

     The performances are at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., where the company is in residence. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for full-time students, and, as always, any one age 12 and under is free. Since ELTC is celebrating New Jersey Theatre Alliance's "The Stages Festival and Family Week at the Theatre," when anyone age 18 or under brings two general-admission patrons on Friday night, these patrons will receive two-for-the-price-of-one tickets; that's $25 for two.  For information and reservations, call 884-5898 or go online to www.eastlynnetheater.org.  To receive a full schedule of events for "The Stages Festival and Family Week" visit www.familyweek.com.

     "Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" is also part of Cape May's "Sherlock Holmes' Weekend." For other Holmes' events, contact The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities at 884-5404 or online at www.capemaymac.org.  

     ELTC is producing other local "Family Week" events which are free, including "Saturday Night Scenes," a staged reading of comic scenes from American plays, on Saturday, March 5 at 8:00p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May.

     Next up, on Thursday, March 10 at 1:15p.m. is "Of Thee I Sing" at Glenwood Avenue Elementary School in Wildwood (corner of Glenwood and New York Avenues.) After six sessions with artistic director Gayle Stahlhuth, fifth grade students perform scenes that they've written about historic American figures.  Marketing is funded through "Family Week," but the residency is funded through Target Department Stores.

     On Thursday, March 24 at 7:00p.m., is "Alice in Wonderland" performed by students at West Cape May Elementary School, 301 Moore St., in West Cape May.  After seven sessions with ELTC teaching artists, third through sixth grade students perform this Lewis Carroll classic.

     ELTC's shows for "The Stages Festival" also include "Victorian Magic" at Old Bridge Library and the Giggles Children's Theater at St. Joseph's Hospital, and "The Blue Carbuncle" at The Lillian Booth Actors' Home in Englewood and The Mahwah Library.

     "The Stages Festival and Family Week at the Theatre" is a co-sponsored project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.