(LEFT) Bob Scarpone and Laura Carey (RIGHT) Maxwell Stewart and Sarah Eli. Photos by Jeanne Johnston

(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Lord Stirling Theater Company will present The Wisdom of Eve in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center across two weekends (June 7-9 and June 14-15, 2024). This is a tale of ambition, jealousy, and fame in New York's theater world.

Adapted from the story by Mary Orr, on which the film All About Eve and the hit musical Applause were based, The Wisdom of Eve is an engrossing story of an unscrupulous ingenue’s rise to Broadway stardom. When we first meet Eve Harrington, she is standing in the rain by the stage door of the theater in which the renowned Margo Crane is starring in her latest long-run hit. Before you know it, she’s inveigled Margo’s best friend, Karen, to get her an invitation to meet the great actress herself. From there, it’s a short step for the clever Eve to become Margo’s personal secretary and then her understudy. Did we mention blackmail? Yes, that’s in there, too! Eve is determined to achieve Broadway stardom and then a Hollywood career, no matter what, even if it means leaving the wreckage of her friends’ trust behind her.

The Lord Stirling Theater Company’s production is directed by Jeanne Johnston of High Bridge. The cast includes (in order of appearance): Danielle Levitt of Westfield as Karen Roberts, Sarah Eli of Rahway as Eve Harrington, Laura Carey of Flemington as Margo Crane, Bob Scarpone of Flanders as Clement Howell, Arthur Carlson of Nutley as Lloyd Roberts, Maxwell Stewart of Branchburg as Harvey Marshall, Carol Lynn of Basking Ridge as Leila, Robert Podolak of Union as David “Tally-Ho” Thompson, Maurice Marvi of Basking Ridge as Bert Hinkle, and Rachel Brennan of Summit as Vera Franklin.

(LEFT) Arthur Carlson, Danielle Levitt, and Laura Carey (RIGHT) Carol Lynn and Laura Carey. Photos by Jeanne Johnston

Performance take place at the Farmstead Arts Center (450 King George Road) in Basking Ridge, New Jersey on Friday, June 7 at 7:30pm;  Saturday, June 8 at 7:30pm; Sunday, June 9 at 2:00pm; Friday, June 14 at 7:30pm; and Saturday, June 15 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm. Tickets are $25 general admission, $23 for seniors (65 and over) and students, $20 for Farmstead Arts members, and $15 for children under 12. Tickets are available for purchase online or at the door (cash only).

The English Barn Theater is wheelchair accessible. Anyone anticipating the need for additional accessibility services please send an e-mail in advance to farmsteadartscenter@gmail.com. The barn is neither heated nor air conditioned; please dress accordingly.

The Wisdom of Eve opens The Lord Stirling Theater Company’s ninth season at the Farmstead Arts Center. Past productions include A Murder Is Announced, Blithe Spirit, Ken Ludwig’s Leading Ladies (which received the 2023 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Properties in a Play and was nominated for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play), Cobb (which received the 2022 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Stage Management of a Play and was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play and Outstanding Sound Design of a Play), Dracula (which was nominated for the 2020 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play), The Importance of Being Earnest (which received the 2019 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Costume Design of a Play and was nominated in six other categories, including Outstanding Production of a Play), Treasure Island, Othello, Arsenic and Old Lace (which was nominated for the 2018 NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play), Of Mice and Men, And Then There Were None, The Dresser, Frankenstein’s Fate, The Tempest, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

(LEFT) Laura Carey, Sarah Eli, and Arthur Carlson (RIGHT) Laura Carey, Danielle Levitt, and Arthur Carlson. Photos by Jeanne Johnston

The Lord Stirling Theater Company is a dynamic community of creative artists based in Basking Ridge, the group is committed to presenting innovative theater for diverse audiences, through readings and full productions of classical theater and new works, as well as exploring the American experience through compelling productions that illuminate and celebrate our history, culture, and literature. The theater group fosters the next generation of theater artists and audiences by providing unique hands-on educational programming and training in all aspects of theater production.

This event has been made possible, in part, by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.