ELTC's Student Workshop Production of "Tales from the Arabian Nights"

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Several stories about wishes and dreams, including the tale of a young boy discovering a genie in "Aladdin and his Magic Lamp," come to life on Tuesday, July 2 at 8:00 p.m. After nine, three-hour sessions, fourteen students, ages 10-13, will perform "Tales from the Arabian Nights" at The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St., Cape May, where the company is in residence. This marks ELTC's 7th Summer Student Workshop Production, and the past six years it's been standing room only. Admission is free and families are welcome.

     Directing the production this year is Sally Bingham, who has been an ELTC artist-in-residence for the Wildwood after-school program.  She is assisted by Gabrielle Wilson, who assisted in last year's production.

     For twenty-five years, Bingham has been involved in theater as an actor, director, and playwright in Chicago and Philadelphia, participating in productions ranging from full-length improvisational plays to fringe festivals to children's musicals. She has taught acting skills and creativity to both corporate executives and children. With her husband, playwright Ken Bingham, they founded the professional theater company Edge Productions and Over The Edge Comedy Troupe. Currently, the Binghams live and work in Philadelphia and Cape May with their two children.

     Wilson is a Theatre Performance major and Arts Administration minor at Rider University, about to enter her senior year.  She is involved in the national theater fraternity Alpha Psi Omega and is a part of the Rider Dance Team and the Arts Administration Association.

     "Tales of the Arabian Nights" was selected as a companion piece to ELTC's second offering for its "Sunday Film Series," co-produced with The Cape May Film Society, "The Thief of Bagdad." Shown on August 4 at 8:30 p.m., this magical tale from 1924 includes flying carpets and horses and other special effects still dazzling by today's standards. As the thief, Douglas Fairbanks, doing his own incredible stunts, brings his special magic to the screen. Original organ music is composed and performed by Wayne Zimmerman. Tickets are $15 and ages 12 and under are free.

      Meanwhile, ELTC's "Lost on the Natchez Trace" a New Jersey premiere written by Jan Buttram and directed by Gayle Stahlhuth, continues its runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:30p.m. through July 20, except there is no show on Thursday, July 4 and an added show on Sunday, July 7.  Tom Byrn, Leon Morgan, and Stephanie Garrett are in this compelling play about a wounded slave auctioneer. 

     For information about the workshop, mainstage season, touring shows, and educational outreach, and to make reservations, call 609-884-5898, or go online at www.eastlynnetheater.org.