Gateway Playhouse Launches Registration for Summer Theater Camp

Issue #579

January 17, 2026

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

 🌿Gateway Playhouse Launches Registration for Summer Theater Camp

⚖️ Cape May Burglary Suspect Linked to Multiple Area Crimes

 👮Stone Harbor Professor Competing in 2026 Jeopardy! Tournament

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Shop Local

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

January 17

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Gateway Playhouse Launches Registration for Summer Theater Camp

 Beginning Sunday, February 1, Gateway Playhouse will open registration for its acclaimed “Gateway to the Arts” summer camp, an eight-week theater program designed for children and teens ages 7 to 18. Held at the Somers Point theater from June 22 through August 15, the program offers a hands-on, immersive theater experience that goes far beyond a traditional summer camp. The program is structured around three age-based groups: “Musical Munchkins” (ages 7–9), “Shining Stars” (ages 10–13), and “Rising Stars” (ages 14–18). Each group will rehearse and stage a full production by the end of the session, complete with costumes, choreography, live music, and vocals—offering students a full-scale theatrical experience. This year’s theme, When Timeless Tunes Meet Tomorrow’s Stars, will guide the three productions:

  • Musical Munchkins will present Disney Through the Decades: A Musical Revue, a celebration of Disney’s music legacy spanning 70 years.

  • Shining Stars will take on Newsies Jr., a one-act musical that follows young newsboys standing up for justice in 1899 New York City.

  • Rising Stars will perform Crazy for You, a high-energy romantic comedy featuring the classic music of George and Ira Gershwin.

Participants will have the opportunity to work alongside theater professionals, including choreographers, musicians, and designers. The program emphasizes not only performance but also personal growth, encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones, build confidence, and develop their artistic skills. With a curriculum that includes full vocals, dance, acting, and live performance, the camp aims to provide a comprehensive foundation in musical theater. The productions chosen for 2026 are not only beloved classics but also serve as valuable learning tools in character development and storytelling. The cost to attend is $325 for Musical Munchkins and $500 for Shining and Rising Stars. Limited scholarships are available, and class sizes are capped at 35 students to ensure focused instruction. Additional information on registration and scholarships is available at GatewayToTheArtsSPNJ.org.

Cape May Burglary Suspect Linked to Multiple Area Crimes

51-year-old Walter E. Langston of Wildwood, has been arrested in connection with a December burglary in Cape May, with authorities linking him to similar crimes in nearby towns. Just before 4 a.m. on December 4, Cape May Police responded to an alarm at a commercial property located at 518 Washington Street. Investigators secured the scene and reviewed surveillance footage, which provided key evidence in identifying a suspect. Investigations revealed that both Middle Township and Wildwood police departments were conducting parallel burglary investigations believed to involve the same suspect. Following his arrest by Middle Township Police on January 13, Langston was interviewed by both Cape May and Middle Township detectives. During that interview, authorities say he admitted to committing the burglaries under investigation. Langston now faces multiple charges, including third-degree burglary, third-degree theft, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and third-degree possession of burglary tools. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Cape May Police Department at (609) 884-9500.

 

Stone Harbor Professor Competing in 2026 Jeopardy! Tournament

 Josh Weikert, a standout Jeopardy! contestant with ties to South Jersey, is set to return to the national stage as he joins the 2026 Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions. The professor and Army Reserve officer earned his spot in the prestigious tournament after a memorable six-game winning streak in March 2025, where he secured $100,202 in prize money. Weikert, who owns a home in Stone Harbor, also resides in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Barbara. He currently teaches at Immaculata University and has served in the Army Reserve, balancing academic and military careers. During his original run on the popular quiz show, Weikert not only impressed viewers with his trivia skills but also demonstrated generosity. He donated nearly $12,000—10% of his winnings—to The Weikel Memorial Scholarship Fund, a tribute to his late friend and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jarrad Weikel. Now, nearly a year after his winning streak, he returns to compete among the best of the best. The 2026 Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions begins on Monday, January 19. Weikert is set to appear in the quarterfinal round airing Friday, January 23

Cape May, New Jersey, is recognized as the oldest seaside resort in the United States. Which significant historical figure is the city named after?

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 Answer to the January 16th Trivia Question

Cape May, New Jersey, is renowned for its historical significance and Victorian architecture. In what year was the entire city designated as a National Historic Landmark, making it the only city in the United States to be wholly designated as such?

A) 1976
B) 1984
C) 1992
D) 2001

Answer: A) 1976

Cape May was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 due to its extensive collection of preserved Victorian architecture, marking it as a unique historical site in the United States.

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