New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Classic American Tales presents "Tales at the Dormer House" beginning June 8

originally published: 05/29/2023


Gayle Stahlhuth presenting a tale on the porch of The Dormer House. Photo by Stephanie Garrett

(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Classic American Tales (CAT) presents Tales At The Dormer House.  This new company has taken on what had been presented by East Lynne Theater Company (ELTC) for 33 years under the name "Tales of the Victorians." As usual, with "Tales," attendees are treated to tea and tantalizing treats, while listening to stories by American authors like O. Henry, Zora Neale Hurston, and Mark Twain read, now by CAT performers, for only $12.00, cash at the door. Children are always welcome, and ages 12 and under are free.

Topics for "Tales" have included war, frontier expansion, immigration, intolerance, and the joy and hardships of everyday life that make up this country's complex history. CAT intends to tell American’s stories one tale at a time.

The summer schedule is 4:00pm every Thursday from June 8 - August 10, all on the front porch of The Dormer House, 800 Columbia Avenue in historic Cape May, NJ.

First up on June 8, the performers are Stephanie Garrett and Frank Smith. Garrett was in ELTC's Lost On The Natchez Trace and Rain, and is known for presenting the writings of Black Americans including Langston Hughes and Alice Childress. Smith has been performing "Tales" since 1998 and was ELTC's storyteller on "The Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides," co-sponsored with Cape May MAC, for 10 years.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



Next up, on June 15 is Gayle Stahlhuth reading the exciting section about the Oklahoma Land Rush on April 22, 1889 as written by Edna Ferber in Cimarron published in 1929.  Stahlhuth was ELTC's producing artistic director for 23 years and is the founder of CAT. She'll perform something different on August 10.

On June 29, Michele LaRue presents How The Other Half, two vibrant tales that gleefully remind us that people haven't changed in 100 years. "Transients in Arcadia" (1907) was written by O. Henry and "The Apple Tree" (1903) by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman.  Along with performing at ELTC, NJ Rep, and other theaters, for over 25 years, LaRue has performed throughout the country in her own one-person shows. Her late husband, Warren Kliewer, founded ELTC in 1980. She will be performing something different on August 3.

Suzanne Dawson is performing works from the 1920's and 30's on July 13.  She's performed in NYC, for regional theaters and in national tours, and appeared many times for ELTC including starring in Dorothy Parker: A Certain Woman last summer.

Author, artist, and historian John Bailey will read his own story about Cape May's first lifeguard on July 20.  He's written several books, including a history of the City of Cape May, Cape May Island, The Jewel of the Jersey Shore, now in its 3rd edition.

Reservations for Tales At The Dormer House are appreciated, and are made through CAT by calling 609-884-5898 or e-mailing classicamericantales@aol.com. Details about this and other CAT events are found on ClassicAmericanTales.org.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, 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