November 6, 2008

October 29, 2008

Contact:
Alicia Grasso
Marketing Director
(609) 884-1341
Alicia@capemaystage.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2008

Cape May Stage Continues its 20th Anniversary Season
With John Patrick Shanley’s
“DOUBT

(Cape May, NJ) Cape May Stage will continue its 20th anniversary season with one of the most critically acclaimed plays of the decade, John Patrick Shanley's " Doubt". This fast-moving, suspense-filled Pulitzer Prize and Tony award-winning drama opens in the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at Bank & Lafayette Streets on August 20th and continues through September 27th.

Hailed “#1 show of the year” by the Associated Press when it premiered on Broadway in March 2005, this headline story of suspicion and moral certainty calls into question exactly what is the right action when one is not sure. Set in a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, the story centers around Sister Aloysius, a hard-edged principal who rules with an iron fist. She is unimpressed with the new teaching methods of some of the younger nuns, including those of Sister James, who she feels is too soft and interested in offering compassion and friendship versus discipline.

Sister Aloysius interrogates Sister James about a priest's relationship with Donald Muller, the only African American student in a predominately Irish and Italian parish. She is not comforted by Sister James' assertions that Father Flynn, a young priest, has become the boy's mentor and protector. Acting on her deep-seated suspicions, Sister Aloysius is determined to challenge Father Flynn and his behavior. Convinced that he will be protected by the church hierarchy, she sets out to take him down herself. What ensues is a bristling confrontation between the fiercely protective nun and the priest who feels that the Sister has overstepped her authority.

Hailed by Time Out magazine as a “an eloquent and provocative investigation of truth and consequences,” " Doubt" will be directed by Chris Dolman, whose previous directing credits at Cape May Stage include “K2”, “Drawer Boy”, “Last Train to Nibroc”, and “Talley’s Folly”.

NY-based actor Paul Bernardo and California-based actress Mary Baird assume the leading roles of Father Flynn and Sister Aloysius in this tension-packed drama. Bernardo, previously seen in “The Guys” (2005), “Dinner with Friends” (2003), and “Art” (2000), returns to Cape May Stage for his fifth season. Baird last appeared at Cape May Stage in the production of “Shirley Valentine” in 2001. The cast also includes New York-based actresses Abby Royle as Sister James and Sameerah Luqmaan-Harris as Mrs. Muller, both making their debuts at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse in this award-winning play.

A creation of playwright John Patrick Shanley (Academy Award-winner Moonstruck), " Doubt" received its world premiere in 2004 at the Manhattan Theatre Club. The play then transferred to Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theatre and ran for three years. In 2005, " Doubt" was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Drama Desk and Tony Awards for Best Play; the most important awards that a play can receive.

This show previews on Wednesday, August 20th and ticket prices that evening will be half-price. The official opening night performance will be Thursday August 21st with an after party at the Ebbitt Room at the Virginia Hotel on Jackson Street immediately following the performance.

During the current run Cape May Stage is participating with 18 Cape May gourmet restaurants in a money-saving “Dinner & A Show” package promotion - a special night out. Restaurants involved in the promotion include 410 Bank Street, Aleathea’s, The Blue Pig Tavern, Bloody Mary’s Bar and Grill, Café Promenade, Café Verandah at the Hotel Alcott, Copper Fish, Cucina Rosa, The Ebbitt Room, Frescos, The Mad Batter, Martini Beach, Merion Inn, Oyster Bay Restaurant & Bar, The Pier House, Tisha’s Fine Dining, Union Park, and The Washington Inn. Call the individual restaurants for reservations and information.

"Doubt" performances are Wednesdays thru Sundays at 8pm thru September 27th at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse of the Cape May Stage. Tickets are $35 adults, $25 seniors, and $12.50 students.

Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information or
visit the theatre’s web-site, www.capemaystage.com

This production is generously co-sponsored by The Blue Pig Tavern at Congress Hall and The Ebbitt Room at the Virginia.

Contact:
Alicia Grasso
Marketing Director
(609) 884-1341
Alicia@capemaystage.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2008

Cape May Stage Offers Signed Performance and
Pay-What-You-Can-Night on July 29th

Cape May Stage, Cape May’s premier professional Equity theatre, is proud to announce a spectacular evening of live theatre on July 29th with two special promotions: a 'signed' performance for the deaf and a pay-what-you-can offer for those looking for a bargain.

On Tuesday July 29th, Cape May Stage, with the generous support of PNC Bank, will feature theatrical interpreter for the deaf Celeste Herse during the stage’s current production of Noel Coward’s classic 1930s romantic comedy Private Lives. Assisted-Listening devices are also available upon request for the hearing impaired. In addition, Cape May Stage continues its goal to makes its performances open to all regardless of the ability to pay by offering a pay-what-you-can performance for each production. Both the signed performance and a pay–what–you-can-evening of theatre will take place at 8PM at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at Bank and Lafayette Streets.

Herse, a local interpreter in the South Jersey area, is thrilled to make her first appearance interpreting at Cape May Stage. “I love theater because it takes you to different places and signing performances is such a unique experience. As an interpreter you not only have to listen very carefully, but you simultaneously have to translate and communicate each emotion like an actor to make the story come alive,” explains Herse. Herse will be joined on stage with theatrical interpreter and colleague, Anne Maselli. “Having a partner to work with on stage creates great interaction. It’s more meaningful for the deaf to see two people interpreting and it’s a lot of fun,” states Herse.

In Private Lives, passion, laughter, romance, anger, and love set the stage for a classic battle of the sexes. The last person you expect to meet on your honeymoon is your ex, but a chance reunion leads to a highly comic and unpredictable battle of wills between two couples.

Cape May Stage’s Executive Director Joe Pannullo and Audience Development Director Alicia Grasso have been working over the past several years to reach the underserved communities, culturally, ethnically, economically, and Americans with disabilities. The Stage has scheduled multiple interpreted performances and pay-what-you-can-nights throughout the 2008 season. “Thanks to PNC Bank’s generous funding we are able to provide these special opportunities to serve an audience that otherwise we may not have been able to serve in the past,” Pannullo comments. “We want everyone who would like to come to the theatre to do so, and not to have to worry about the cost.”

Private Lives featuring theatrical interpreters is scheduled for Tuesday July 29th at 8pm at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank & Lafayette Streets in downtown Cape May. Tickets are $35 adults, $25 students/seniors, $12.50 children. Tickets for designated pay-what-you-can performances go on sale at the box office a 7:45PM prior to an 8PM curtain time. Whatever tickets have not sold for that evening’s performance will be pay-what-you-can and will be on a first-come first-serve basis. Cash sales and exact change only. Seating for all pay-what-you-can performances is subject to availability and is not guaranteed.

This production is generously sponsored by La Mer Beachfront Inn and co-sponsored by Capri Motor Lodge. During the current run Cape May Stage is participating with 18 Cape May gourmet restaurants in a money-saving “Dinner & A Show” package promotion.

Reservations can be made by calling (609) 884-1341
or by visiting the theatre’s website, www.capemaystage.com.