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‘The American Soldier’ Opens Tonight at Cape May Stage for Special Three-Performance Engagement

Issue #848

October 23, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🎖️‘The American Soldier’ Opens Tonight at Cape May Stage for Special Three-Performance Engagement

 🎣Wildwood Crest Fishing Pier Closing November 2 as $7.37 Million Makeover Begins

 🎨From Canvas to Collectible: Sydnei Smith-Jorden Art Sale Offers Rare Finds in Cape May

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: East Lynne Theater Company’s War of the Worlds The Panic Broadcast

War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast running through November 1

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

 October 23

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‘The American Soldier’ Opens Tonight at Cape May Stage for Special Three-Performance Engagement

A powerful tribute to America's military service members takes center stage tonight as actor and playwright Douglas Taurel opens his acclaimed solo production, The American Soldier, at Cape May Stage.

The internationally recognized show begins its limited three-performance engagement tonight, Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. at the historic Robert Shackleton Playhouse, with additional performances Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.

For Taurel, this Cape May engagement is more than another stop on the production's celebrated theatrical journey. It represents an opportunity to honor generations of American veterans in a theater whose namesake, Broadway actor Robert Shackleton, served his country during World War II.

"The American Soldier is a play about remembering, and I can’t imagine a more meaningful place to share these stories than the historic Cape May Stage, a theatre that has never forgotten its history. To share these voices in a playhouse named after Robert Shackleton, a Broadway actor who served our country in World War II, will be incredibly special. I have a feeling he will be with us all three nights,” Taurel said.

That connection between the theater's history and the production's central message gives this weekend's performances particular significance.

Inspired by actual letters written by American service members and their families, The American Soldier brings to life the deeply personal experiences of those who have served, spanning the nation's earliest military conflicts through modern warfare.

Through a series of compelling character portrayals, Taurel explores the courage, sacrifice, humor, heartbreak and resilience that have defined generations of military personnel.

But the production reaches beyond the battlefield.

At its heart, The American Soldier examines the human consequences of war, including the emotional struggles veterans face when returning home, the challenges of readjusting to civilian life and the lasting impact of military service on families and relationships.

In an intimate 85-minute performance, Taurel portrays multiple characters whose experiences reveal the humanity behind the uniform. The production moves between moments of humor and hope and darker reflections on loss, trauma and sacrifice.

The result is a theatrical experience that encourages audiences to consider not only what service members have endured, but also what they continue to carry long after their military service has ended.

An Acclaimed Production With a Powerful Message

The American Soldier has earned recognition on national and international stages, including a nomination for an Amnesty International Award for theatrical excellence and a four-star rating at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The production has received attention from major publications, including The Huffington Post, The Washington Post and Time Out.

Its performance history includes appearances associated with the Kennedy Center during presidential inauguration weekend and a Veterans Day presentation at the Library of Congress in 2017.

The show has also toured extensively across the United States and appeared Off-Broadway, bringing its message of remembrance and understanding to audiences throughout the country.

Now, Cape May audiences have just three opportunities to experience the production in a setting with its own connection to American military history.

The Robert Shackleton Playhouse provides a particularly meaningful backdrop for a performance devoted to preserving the voices and experiences of those who served.

As Taurel prepares to bring these stories to life tonight, the production offers an opportunity for audiences to reflect on the meaning of service, the sacrifices made by military families and the importance of remembering the people behind the nation's history.

Three Performances Only

The American Soldier opens tonight, Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m., at Cape May Stage's Robert Shackleton Playhouse, 405 Lafayette Street in Cape May. The limited engagement continues Saturday, October 24, at 7 p.m., and concludes Sunday, October 25, with a 3 p.m. matinee.

The production runs approximately 85 minutes without intermission and is recommended for audiences ages 13 and older. It includes emotional themes involving war and sacrifice, along with periodic sounds of warfare.

This special engagement is not included in Cape May Stage's annual subscription packages.

Tickets and additional information are available through Cape May Stage's official box office.

For one weekend, a historic Cape May theater becomes a place where generations of American soldiers' stories are remembered, their sacrifices acknowledged and their voices heard once again.

Wildwood Crest Fishing Pier Closing November 2 as $7.37 Million Makeover Begins

The long-awaited reconstruction of the Wildwood Crest Fishing Pier is officially moving forward, with the popular Heather Road landmark scheduled to close to the public beginning Monday, November 2, 2026. The $7.37 million project will completely transform the existing pier into a larger, more modern destination for fishing, sightseeing, and oceanfront recreation.

Plans call for the new pier to extend approximately 1,250 feet toward the Atlantic Ocean, with a minimum width of 12 feet. The expansion will address decades of sand accumulation that gradually pushed the shoreline farther out, leaving the original fishing pier surrounded by beach instead of ocean water.

The redesigned structure will feature dedicated fishing and pedestrian areas, a widened viewing section, upgraded decking, modern lighting, benches, water stations, informational signage, and improved accessibility. The elevated design will also accommodate future beach and dune restoration projects.

The reconstruction is supported by approximately $4 million in grant funding, including contributions from Cape May County and New Jersey's Boardwalk Preservation Fund.

Construction is expected to continue into the early summer of 2027, with July 2027 identified as a target completion date. Once finished, the expanded fishing pier is expected to become a major attraction for residents and visitors, offering improved fishing opportunities, spectacular Atlantic Ocean views, and a new destination along the Wildwood Crest beachfront.

Residents and visitors hoping to enjoy the existing pier one last time will have until Sunday, November 1, before it closes for construction.

From Canvas to Collectible: Sydnei Smith-Jorden Art Sale Offers Rare Finds in Cape May

A special one-night art acquisition sale featuring the original works of Sydnei Smith-Jorden will take place Thursday, October 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cape May Convention Hall. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase pieces from the artist's collection, including original paintings, wearable art, skateboard art and limited editions. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Legacy Link Mobile Art Studio. For information, call 609-221-9033

Cape May is located on a man-made island separated from the mainland by which body of water?

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 Answer to the October 22nd Trivia Question 

What unique feature of Cape May's Sunset Beach is a popular attraction where visitors can witness the remnants of a World War I-era concrete ship?

A) Shipwreck of the SS Morro Castle
B) Remains of the SS Atlantus
C) The Ghost Ship of Cape May
D) The Wreck of the Sea Venture

Answer: B) Remains of the SS Atlantus

The SS Atlantus is a concrete ship built during World War I, and its remains can be seen off the coast of Sunset Beach in Cape May, making it a popular historical and tourist attraction​.

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