New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Classic American Tales presents stories by Paley, Goyen, Baum, Hecht, Ade, and Wells

originally published: 09/09/2024


(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Every Thursday at 4:00pm through October 10, 2024, Classic American Tales (CAT) presents readings of stories, plays, and poetry at the historic Dormer House Bed and Breakfast, 800 Columbia Avenue in Cape May, NJ. Performances are on the front porch, weather permitting.  Otherwise, they will be inside. Guests are also treated to lemonade and tasty treats.  Cost is $12.00, cash or check at the door, and guests at The Dormer House and children ages 12 and under are free.

American Archetypes are highlighted on September 12: the Texas oil heiress and the New York immigrant aunt, both with the kind of chutzpah that informed the American character. Polly MacIntyre reads Grace Paley's (1922-2007) "Goodbye and Goodluck" from The Little Disturbances of Man (1959) and Carolyn Nelson reads William Goyen's (1915-1983) "The Texas Principessa" from Had I A Hundred Mouths, stories from 1947-1983. MacIntyre and Nelson, both from the Philadelphia area, have a wide range of professional credits in theater and film.

On September 19, the focus is American Fables. Frank Smith reads "A Kidnapped Santa Claus" (1904) by L. Frank Baum, who strove to give America its own fables and folklore by writing this and The Wizard of Oz. Stephanie Garrett is reading a Black fable, "You Never Know What Trouble is Until it Finds You." Both have performed on the mainstage in Cape May and read many stories on Cape May’s porches.

Tom Byrn reads stories by American Wits on September 26: Carolyn Wells (1862-1942), George Ade (1866-1944), and Ben Hecht (1894-1964). CAT's artistic director, Gayle Stahlhuth, directed several plays in Cape May in which Byrn performed, including the solo show Mr. Lincoln, which also toured to Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble in PA. In 2018 and 2019, he directed Silent Sky and Summerland, produced by Stahlhuth in Cape May. Byrn has acted at various theaters in the Philadelphia area, including, People's Light & Theatre and the Delaware Theater Company, and at various other theaters in PA, NY, and OH. He is a member of Actors' Equity and the Lincoln Center Director's Lab and resides in the Susquehanna River Valley of central PA with his wife and daughter.

Reservations for "Tales" are appreciated and may be made through CAT by calling 609-884-5898 or e-mailing classicamericantales@aol.com. Details about this and other CAT events are found on their website.




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



Looking ahead, Michele LaRue reads Dorothy Canfield Fisher's "The Bedquilt" on October 3, and on October 10, Phil Pizzi takes on Will Rogers.

After 23 years serving as the producing artistic director of East Lynne Theater Company, Gayle Stahlhuth founded CAT to tell America's stories "one tale at a time."  Through CAT she has been teaching acting and playwriting workshops, with the goal of these participants performing classic and new works in front of an audience.




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Players

Players Guild of Leonia to Hold Auditions for "Where The Time Goes"

​​​​​​​(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia will hold auditions for Where The Time Goes on Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm each night at their theater. This is a World Premiere musical featuring the iconic songs of The Baby Boomer Generation.



Speranza

Speranza Theatre Company presents "Princess Pals"

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Speranza Theatre Company, joined by students from Speranza Studio's Summer Acting Intensive, presents its summer stage production, Princess Pals, from July 11-19, 2025 outdoors at the Museum of Jersey City History at The Apple Tree House. Written and directed by Nick Radu-Blackburn. Happily Ever was just the beginning... turns out "after" isn’t all it's cracked up to be. Bored after their fairy tale endings, princess-frenemies embark on a mischievous adventure. Can they put their differences aside to save their kingdoms, all while dealing with an unexpected twist?



"RIFT"

"RIFT" Returns To Luna For Two Nights Only Before International Debut At Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Luna Stage's commissioned World Premiere play RIFT is headed to the Edinburgh Fringe for a four-week run at Traverse Theatre this August. On July 18-19, 2025 at 8:00pm each night, the powerful and timely new play returns to Luna for two benefit performances to support the company's travel to Scotland.



PHOTOS

PHOTOS from "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Pleasant Valley Productions

(WEST ORANGE, NJ) -- Pleasant Valley Productions (PVP) is presenting Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's iconic rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar at the Oscar Schindler Performing Arts Center (OSPAC). The production runs July 11-12 and July 17-19, 2025. This groundbreaking musical, which revolutionized the world of theatre, tells the story of the final week of Jesus' life through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.



Centenary

Centenary Stage presents Jimmy Buffet's Escape to Margaritaville

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company presents Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville from Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 20 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Featuring a book by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley and music and lyrics by Jimmy Buffett, this play combines tropical vibes and feel-good humor with a collection of the singer-songwriter’s most beloved hits.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Vivid

Vivid Summer Solos: My Name is Lucy Barton

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 6:30pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68 Elm Street, Summit, NJ 07901
category: theatre


 

The

The Mallard

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

The

The MAC players at the Middletown Arts Center present "Hairspray"

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Middletown Arts Center
36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
category: theatre


 

The

The Mallard

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Premiere Stages - Bauer Boucher Theatre Center
1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
category: theatre


 

Good

Good Riddance; A Gnarly Murder Mystery Dinner, Dude!

Friday, July 18, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: theatre


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info