“City of Angels, the Musical"

Maurer Productions OnStage brings the world of 1940’s Hollywood to the Kelsey Theatre when the musical City of Angels opens on May 6th, 2016 in West Windsor, NJ.

(April 4, 2016) – With a Book by Larry Gelbart, Music by Cy Colman and Lyrics by David Zippel, City of Angels is the rarest of musical comedies. Set in the glamorously seductive world of 1940's Hollywood, it is one part film noir detective story, one part fish out of water romantic comedy and loaded with great songs and Jazz music. It promises to be a fun evening’s entertainment for all. In a world of film studios and flimsy negligees, the show chronicles the misadventures of Stine, a young novelist, attempting his first screenplay for movie producer/director, Buddy Fidler. While Buddy professes to be a fan of Stine’s work: “I’ve read a synopsis of every book you’ve ever written,” his gargantuan ego forces Stine to make endless compromises in the story he’s writing. The script is an adaptation of one of Stine’s novels which features his Raymond Chandler-esque hero, a private investigator named Stone. Every movie scene that Stine writes is acted out on stage in the black and white film noir world with a music score reminiscent of a 1940's private eye film. Weaving the two worlds together onstage, Stine risks his integrity and his marriage as Stone risks his life to solve a mystery. It’s a musical tale of decadence, deceit and homicide with a liberal sprinkling of fun and femme’s fatale.

Directed by John M. Maurer whose credits include large scale musicals like Singin’ in the Rain, Man of La Mancha, Avenue Q and Monty Python's Spamalot, City of Angels will run at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre in West Windsor, NJ May 6 - 15, 2015. A public reception, with an opportunity to meet the cast and crew, will be held on opening night.

This is a technically challenging production with most of the cast playing roles in the real world of Hollywood and the movie world of Detective Stone. The show’s cast features Sean St. Louis-Farrelly as Stone, John Zimmerman as Stine, Alexandra Rush as Gabby/Bobbi, Kim Cupo as Donna/Oolie, Peter Sauer as Buddy Fidler/Irwin S. Irving, Stephanie Zimmerman as Alaura /Carla, Jeffery Millstein as Luther /Werner, Matt Blazejeski as Peter/Gerald, Macy Jae Davis as Mallory/Avril, Jonathan Polanco as Lieutenant Muñoz/Pancho, Jim Petro as Jimmy Powers, Mattie Cassidy as Dr Mandril/Gilbert, James Zimmerman as Officer Pasco/Gene, Stan Karuzis as Big Six/Commissioner Gaines, Nick Pecht as Sonny/ Coroner, Michael Sherman as Del Dacosta/Mahoney, and introducing the “Angel City 4” Laura Young (Soprano), Shannon Ferrara(Alto), Matt Dawson (Tenor), Bill Weir (Bass).

The production is directed by John M. Maurer, Stage managed by Beverly Kuo-Hamilton, Music Direction by Peter de Mets, Choreography by Jane Coult, Costumes by Anthony Remer. 

Maurer Productions OnStage will present City of Angels Fridays, May 6th and 13th at 8pm; Saturdays, May 7th and 14th at 8pm; and Sundays, May 8th and 15th at 2pm in the Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College. The college is located at 1200 Old Trenton Road. Free parking is available next to the theatre. To order tickets, go online at www.kelseytheatre.net, call 609-570-3333, or stop by the Kelsey Theatre Box Office. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $16 for students and vets plus a $1 service fee. The Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible. More information about this production of City of Angels, the Musical can be found online at www.mponstage.com.