"One of South Jersey's Cultural Treasures." – "The Press of Atlantic City"

2005 marks the 25th Anniversary of The East Lynne Theater Company. When this Equity professional not-for-profit theater was founded by Warren Kliewer in 1980, it was the first one in the country dedicated to studying, preserving, and producing early American plays, and plays based on theater and literary history. ELTC takes pride in providing theater-goers, actors, and directors, alike, the experience of seeing and working on plays by early American masters, such as Washington Irving, Steele McKaye, David Belasco, and Rachel Crothers. ELTC's wide-ranging repertoire includes over seventy classic American plays, dating from as early as the Federal-Era Politician Outwitted. The title "East Lynne" is derived from a famous American play that was seen throughout the country during the last half of the 1800s.

ELTC gives voice to the current generation of playwrights by yearly producing a World or NJ Premiere musical or play based on American theater or literature. Several ELTC premieres have gone on to other stages.

Another part of linking the past to the present – and future - is ELTC's Artist-in-Residence Program in schools, where students perform in plays they've written. With ELTC's Intern Program, students learn first-hand about theater, and occasionally perform in the company's Mainstage Productions.

More than 10,000 audience members annually attend shows during ELTC's Cape May, NJ season, and on the road, anywhere from Boston to San Francisco. When patrons experience ELTC's productions, they witness the company’s engaging perspective on American theater and its unique contribution to the world of theater. In 1996, Ohio State University honored ELTC by asking to house the company's archives at its "Jerome Laurence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute." East Lynne's company of professional, Broadway and regional theater award-winning actors and directors work together throughout the year to produce quality theater not seen anywhere else.

The Cape May Production Season runs from mid-June through December, with a least six different shows. Ticket prices vary, but there are discounts for students, seniors, and people with disabilities and their support companions. Ages 12 and under are always free.

The company performs in residence at...
The First Presbyterian Church of Cape May
500 Hughes St.
Cape May NJ