Cape theatre students to present stories of Dale Dunning May 25

Theatre students from Cape Henlopen High School will present an original production at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 25, centered on the stories surrounding the life of Dale Dunning, the soup lady.

Dunning reached out to Cape Theatre Director Martha Pfeiffer to discuss a way in which the theatre students could help tell her story. She gave students copies of her autobiography "Jusst Dale" so they could become more aware of her life's work, the obstacles she has overcome, and the people whose lives she has touched with a simple bowl of soup. Stories in the book enabled students to glean a better understanding of the life they were about to represent.

"Dale is fabulous!" said Pfeiffer. "She has the most generous heart of anyone I have ever met, and yet she is so humble. We have really enjoyed working both with her, and on this production." The students were also touched by Dunning's stories and found her to be a genuinely caring person who puts others' needs before her own.

Students read the book and selected specific characters from which to build their contrasting monologues. Some adapted stories to fit their own experiences. The culmination of their work created the foundation of the production. To give the production more texture, students have also added several musical numbers.

Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable item for the Jusst Sooup kitchen.