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OnStage News & Notes - February 2012
 In February, we're pleased to remind readers of open auditions for MPO's Drowsy Chaperone; take a peak at Pierrot's Death of a Salesman and Pennington's Xanadu coming in March; promote February and March Alumni Happenings; and present the latest episode of BackStage Pass in which we talk with the cast of Death of a Salesman.
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The Drowsy Chaperone
COMING JUNE 2012 to the KELSEY THEATRE
Call or Click for Tickets: 609-570-3333
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DATES:
Fri. Jun. 8 & 15, 2012 at 8pm
Sat. Jun. 9 & 16 at 8pm
Sun. Jun. 10 & 17 at 2pm
PRICES:
$18 adults, $16 seniors, $14 students & children
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Winner of five Tony Awards, this rollicking musical comedy is both a tribute to, and a parody of, the American musicals of the jazz age. Don't miss the musical the New York Times called "ingenious." It is a 90 minute roller coaster ride of song, dance and laughter that remind us of everything we love (and hate) about Broadway. |
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AUDITION REMINDER:
The Drowsy Chaperone, Feb 25-26
 Maurer Productions OnStage, the company that brought you Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is holding open auditions for its upcoming production of the musical The Drowsy Chaperone on February 25th from 9AM to 5PM and February 26th from 12PM to 5PM. The show offers performers 17 speaking and singing roles. All actors ages 17 and older are welcome. All roles are open. This production will be presented at Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor campus of Mercer County Community College. Performances are June 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 2012
Click here to learn more and schedule an audition.
Click here for an interview with the director about auditions.
The show will be staged by an all-star production team that has over 30 NJACT Perry Award Nominations between them for everything from producing and directing to costumes and choreography. Leading the production team will be director and MPO Artistic Director John M. Maurer(Singin' in the Rain, Man of La Mancha), Musical Director Laurie Gougher (Pirates of Penzance, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and choreographer Jane Coult (Elton John & Tim Rice's AIDA, Singin' in the Rain). The show will be produced by John M. Maurer, Diana Gilman Maurer and Dan Maurer.
Winner of five Tony Awards (including Best Original Score) when it hit Broadway in 2006, The Drowsy Chaperone is for people who both love and hate the American musicals of the Jazz Age. The show’s narrator, a mousy, agoraphobic Broadway fanatic seeking a cure for the blues, listens to a recording of an obscure 1928 musical comedy, The Drowsy Chaperone. As he listens to this rare recording, he and the audience are transported into the musical. The characters appear in his dingy apartment, his cold-water flat is transformed into an impressive Broadway set, and both the narrator and the audience are taken on a 90 minute roller coaster ride of song, dance and laughter.
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Perroit Productions Brings An American Classic, Death of a Salesman, to Kelsey Theatre
Pierrot Productions brings the fiercely eloquent American classic, Death of a Salesman, to the stage at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. Dates and times for this award-winning drama are Fridays, Feb. 24 and March 2 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Feb. 25 and March 3 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Feb. 26 and March 4 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on Mercer's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on Feb. 24.
 Written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Arthur Miller, the play is a tragedy of Shakespearian proportions. It follows the waning days in the life of Willy Loman, a simple man who has striven for the American Dream as a traveling salesman while fighting economic forces and his own personal demons. In addition to facing his own increasing obsolescence, Willy struggles with a strained marriage and his failed dreams for his two sons, Biff and Happy.
Premiering in New York in 1949, the original production ran for a total of 742 performances, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. The music that served to accentuate the plot development in the Broadway original will be utilized in the current production.
Notes Director Ruth Markoe, of Lawrenceville, "Although the play was written in the 1940's, many of its themes reflect the troubled times we live in today, and as such is particularly poignant."
The cast features Tim Anderson of Princeton as Willy Loman; Peggy Waldron of Hamilton as Linda Loman; Chris Scheid of Newtown, PA, as Biff Loman; and Tim Liu of Kendall Park as Happy Loman. Ensemble cast members include Paul Saunders of Lawrenceville, Kevin Hallam of Hamilton, Walter Rosenfeld of Pennington, Jean Prall Rosolino of Princeton, Derek Capre of East Windsor, Wayne Rossignol of Hamilton, Aziza Seven of Princeton, and Lauren Makrancy of Florence.
In addition to Markoe, the production crew includes producer Pete LaBriola and stage manager Tara Simonelli. Lighting design is by Kelsey Theatre's own Kitty Getlik and costumes are by Ruth Rittmann.
Pierrot Productions was founded in 1989. Since its inception Markoe and LaBriola have shared directing duties on their productions. Markoe directed last season's Blithe Spirit at Kelsey Theatre, as well as a double bill of Pygmalion and My Fair Lady in 2010, while LaBriola was the director for The Producers in 2009.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for senior citizens, and $12 for children and students. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333 or online here. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Free parking is available next to the theater.
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Believe in Magic With Pennington Players' Xanadu
The Pennington Players perform magic on roller skates with their upcoming performance of the hilarious musical fantasy Xanadu at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. Dates and show times for this spirited take on 1980s popular culture are: Fridays, March 9 and March 16 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, March 10 and March 17 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, March 11 and March 18 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on Mercer's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on March 9.
Based on the film starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, Xanadu is the perfect blend of satire, parody and drama - all adding up to an electrifying, moving tale about following one's dreams, no matter what the obstacles. The show follows the journey of a beautiful Greek muse, Kira, who descends from Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California. Her quest is to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest creation of all time: the first Roller Disco!
With Xanadu's classic numbers like "Magic," "Suddenly" and "Evil Woman," the audience will roll right along with the lively original musical score composed by pop-rock legends Jeff Lynne (of Electric Light Orchestra) and John Farrar. The show is performed without an intermission and runs approximately 90 minutes. The original Broadway production opened in 2007 to glowing reviews, and was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Xanadu features Jaclyn Dixon of West Deptford as Clio/Kira, and Matt Reher of Philadelphia, PA, as her mortal lover, Sonny. Also starring are Rob Del Colle of Philadelphia, PA, as Danny; Jaimie McMillin of Bordentown as Melpomene; Maria Aromando of Neshanic Station as Calliope; Dominick Sannelli of Levittown, PA, as Thalia; Frankie Rowles of Philadelphia, PA, as Terpsicore; Tia Brown of Lawrenceville as Erato; and Kim Cupo of Fairless Hills, PA, as Euterpe. Pit singers include Alison McMullen of Ewing, Zachary Mazouat of Mt. Olive and Elena Maddox of Horsham, PA.
The production team includes John Boccanfuso of Yardville as the director and choreographer, Tracy Witko of Chester as the musical director, Michelle Rittmann of Ewing as stage manager and costume designer, Judi Parrish of West Trenton as set and lighting designer, and Frank Ferrara of West Windsor as producer.
The Pennington Players have been entertaining local audiences since 1951, and was the first group to perform at the Washington Crossing State Park Open Air Theatre. The Players produce three to four shows each year at Kelsey Theatre, ranging from children's shows to lesser-known dramas to full-scale musicals. Their shows at Kelsey have included Urinetown, 13, Ragtime, The Wiz, and Once On This Island.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $14 for students and children. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Kelsey Theatre box office at 609-570-3333 or order online here. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theater.
BONUS! If you order tickets for the Saturday, March 17th show, you can also get 15% off when you call for your tickets or buy in person. Online, use the code ZANA15. Remember, it's for the March 17 performance ONLY!
For more information about the Pennington Players and the show, visit their website here. Show previews and more information are also available on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/XanaduAtKelsey or http://xanaduatkelsey.weebly.com.
February Podcast
 Death of a Salesman
In this Podcast we talk with the director and the cast of Death of a Salesman being produced by Pierrot Productions at the Kelsey Theatre on the campus of Mercer County Community College. Our Guests include Director Ruth Markoe, and actors Tim Anderson, Peggy Waldron, Chris Scheid, Tim Liu.
Listen Now.
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Laughter closes to smiles and applause
 Packed Kelsey Theatre houses roared with laughter as the jokes came fast and furious during the run of MPO’s production of the Neil Simon comedy Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Referring to members of the cast, Stage Magazine reviewer Terry Stern said "...[they] burn up the stage individually...but together they create a bonfire of insanities.” The show closed on February 5th but you can still see photos from the production in our show gallery.
View a Gallery of Images from the show.
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Alumni Happenings for February and March
A Year With Frog & Toad
 See Kim Suskind (Aida), Brian Maguire (Aida), Elizabeth Rzasa (Man of La Mancha), Sam Rosalsky (Man of La Mancha), and Tony DiDia (Aida Musical Director) at the Algonquin Arts Theatre in their production of A Year With Frog & Toad.
Synopsis:
Based on the Frog & Toad children's stories written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel, this entertaining musical follows the woodland adventures of two amphibious friends, a worrywart toad and a perky frog, with their assorted colorful hopping, crawling and flying companions over the course of four seasons. Nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, this show for all ages explores several life lessons, including valuing friendships and rejoicing in the attributes that make each of us different and special.
Location:
60 Abe Voorhees Drive
Manasquan, New Jersey 08736
Performances:
Fridays, March 16 and 23, at 7 pm
Saturdays, March 17 and 24, at 1 pm
Sundays, March 18 and 25, at 3 pm
Ticket prices: Adults $27 - Seniors $25 - Students $18
From 1:30 to 2:30 before Sunday performances, tickets may be purchased for a milk and cookie party for children aged 4 through 10. (Adults with tickets for the show are invited to attend the party with their children.)
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit The Algonquin Arts Theatre Company Family Shows.
Death of a Salesman
See Derek Capre (A Few Good Men) in Death of a Salesman Being presented by Pierrot Productions at the Kelsey Theater in West Windsor NJ.
Synopsis:
Written by the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Arthur Miller, the play is a tragedy of Shakespearian proportions. It follows the waning days in the life of Willy Loman, a simple man who has striven for the American Dream as a traveling salesman while fighting economic forces and his own personal demons. In addition to facing his own increasing obsolescence, Willy struggles with a strained marriage and his failed dreams for his two sons, Biff and Happy. Premiering in New York in 1949, the original production ran for a total of 742 performances, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. The music that served to accentuate the plot development in the Broadway original will be utilized in the current production.
Performance Information:
Death of a Salesman will be at Kelsey Theatre at MCCC, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550 from February 10 to 12. Performances are Friday, February 10 at 7:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday, February 24th - March 4th.
Ticket Information:
Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for senior citizens, and $12 for children and students. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333 or online here. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Free parking is available next to the theater.
Peter Pan
 Molly Karlin (Winnie the Pooh: A Birthday Tail) takes the stage as Peter Pan in her high school production.
Synopsis:
The much loved story of the boy who wouldn’t grow up.
Location:
West Windsor Plainsboro High School North
90 Grovers Mill Road
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Performances and Ticket Prices:
Thursday, March 1, at 6:30 pm, $10
Friday, March 2, at 8 pm, $12
Saturday, March 3, at 2 pm, $12
Saturday, March 3, at 8 pm, $12
Sunday, March 4, at 2 pm, $12
Tickets can be purchased at the high school starting Feb. 22 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM outside the theater. Tickets will also be available beginning about one hour before each show.
The Wizard of Oz at The Kelsey Theatre
 Stephen Szemis (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer) will be taking the stage as Ozian, Featured Jitterbug dancer and Winkie in the Yardly Players production of The Wizard of Oz.
Synopsis:
Journey back to simpler times with The Yardley Players’ musical celebration of the iconic 1939 MGM film, as Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, Lion and Toto, too, travel down the Yellow Brick Road to the magical Land of Oz. You’ll know you’re not in Kansas anymore from the moment the tornado touches down and transports you Over The Rainbow in this timeless production, featuring the classic songs and beloved characters you remember from your childhood. Bring the whole family out for this one!
Performance Information:
The Wizard of Oz will be at Kelsey Theatre at MCCC, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550 from March 23 to April 1.
Fri. Mar. 23 & 30, 2012 at 7:30pm
Sat. Mar. 24 & 31 at 2pm & 7:30pm
Sun. Mar. 25 & Apr. 1 at 2pm
Note: there will also be daytime performances on Mar. 29 & 30 for school groups, call 609-570-3566
Ticket Information:
All seats are $10. To buy tickets, visit http://www.kelseyatmccc.org/oz.shtml
Damn Yankees
 Amy Slothower (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) takes the stage in Damn Yankees in her high school production.
Synopsis:
Come to the ballpark and watch what happens to middle-aged baseball fanatic Joe Boyd who trades his soul to the Devil, the charming but devious Mr. Applegate for a chance to lead his favorite team to victory in the pennant race against the New York Yankees.
Location:
West Windsor Plainsboro High School South
346 Clarksville Road
West Windsor, NJ 08550
Performances:
Thursday, March 8 at 7:30 pm
Friday, March 9 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 10 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Ticket Prices:
Adults, $12; Students/Seniors, $10
To purchase tickets, call (609) 716-5050 for tickets and information.
A Flea in Her Ear
at Villagers Theatre
 Alumnus Jack Petzko is Baptistin in the Villages theatre production of A Flea in Her Ear.
The works of Georges Feydeau, the father of modern farce, have influenced the plots of countless plays, films and TV shows. In this French comedy, artfully combining bedroom farce with comedy of manners, Raymonde, suspects her husband, Victor Emmanuel, of infidelity. With the help of her best friend, Lucienne, she concocts a plan involving a perfumed letter in order to expose Victor’s dalliance at the Hotel Coq d’Or and confirm her suspicions. In exquisite Feydeau fashion, the plan misfires monumentally. Additional convolutions include confused identities, revolving beds, a multitude of doors and the fact that the none-to-bright hotel porter, Poche, is an exact double of Victor. The barrage of hilarity and romantic turmoil continues non-stop until the final curtain.
Reserved seating - $16 Adult, $14 Senior/Student
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00PM. Sundays at 2:00PM.
Reservations can be made via this web site under 'Tickets',
e-mail boxoffice@villagerstheatre.com or call 732-873-2710
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Group Rates available upon request.
Bye Bye Birdie
Ewing High School
 Alumnus Stacy Maurer will be singing away in the chorus of Ewing High Schools Production of Bye Bye Birdie.
Synopsis:
BYE BYE BIRDIE is one of the most captivating musical shows of our time. It tells the story of a rock and roll singer who is about to be inducted into the army. The singer, Conrad Birdie, an Elvis Presley type, has a pompadour and thick sideburns; he wears gaudy gold costumes and speaks in a rugged voice. Albert Peterson, his agent, is a very pleasant mild mannered young man. Albert's faithful secretary Rose Alvarez keeps him and Birdie moving forward in the world. Rosie concocts one final national publicity plan before Conrad's induction. Conrad will bid a typical American teen-age girl goodbye with an all-American kiss. Kim MacAfee in Sweet Apple, Ohio wins the honor.
Location:
Ewing High School
900 Parkway Avenue Ewing, NJ 08618
Performances:
Thursday, March 22 at 6:30 pm
Friday, March 23 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 24 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 25 at 3:00 pm
Ticket Prices:
For Advance Ticket Sales call (609) 538-9800 ext. 8595
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MPO Theater Quiz:
 Marriott Marquis - The Show Goes on.
In honor of The Drowsy Chaperone auditions this coming weekend, this quiz will cover shows that opened in the same theater as The Drowsy Chaperone: the Marquis Theatre at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, NYC.
Try out our February edition
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