“MAN OF LA MANCHA” RIDES ONCE MORE

Critically Acclaimed Theatre Company to Open Broadway Musical Classic at Kelsey Theatre February 6, 2009

West Windsor, NJ (December 29, 2008) – Maurer Productions OnStage, producers of last season’s Perry-nominated smash hit Singin’ in the Rain, now brings the classic Broadway musical Man of La Mancha to the stage at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre February 6-15, 2008. A public reception, with an opportunity to meet the cast and crew, will be held on opening night.

Directed by John Maurer of Ewing, this winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical, never fails to enchant audiences with its lyrical and musical mastery. The epic story of knight-errant Don Quixote, his servant Sancho and the woman of his dreams comes to life in this breathtaking new production. Set in the time of the Spanish Inquisition, the tale tells of a knight who embarks on a romantic and noble journey to win the heart of a good woman and to capture “The Impossible Dream.” Based on Miguel de Cervantes’ classic book Don Quixote, Man of La Mancha has been deemed as one of the all-time great musicals of the American stage.

If Man of La Mancha is considered musical theatre magic, then there couldn’t be a better local magician than John Maurer. Maurer lead his company in the production of the musical Singin’ in the Rain and the comedy-drama Driving Miss Daisy, which together garnered 18 Perry Award nominations for outstanding accomplishments in community theatre. A contributing factor to the honors was Maurer's set designs. In Driving Miss Daisy he completely reshaped the Kelsey theatre, and in Singin’ in the Rain hundreds of gallons of water rained down on the actors while audiences cheered. Maurer will work his magic again, this time to turn the Kelsey Theatre into the bowels of a Spanish prison.

“This is a great follow-up to Singin’ in the Rain,” Maurer said. “It may have a little more drama to it, but it still has plenty of comedy and a feel-good score that makes you want to stand up and sing. And the set is going to be an interesting challenge as well. Our team is going to have a blast transforming the Kelsey stage. We’re always asking ourselves how we can be different. How we can give the audience more. The giant couch in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown was fun. The car in Daisy was effective. The rain in Rain was a challenge. But the bowels of a dark and dingy Spanish prison, now that’s going to be way cool.”

When the show is mounted by Maurer Production OnStage it will feature a talented cast that includes Daniel Petrovich of Macungie, PA as Don Quixote; Sam Rosalsky of Berkeley Heights, NJ as Sancho; Meera Mohan of Plainsboro, NJ as Aldonza; Joe Zedeny of West Windsor, NJ as the Innkeeper/Governor; John Bergeron of Pennington, NJ as Dr. Corrasco; Jim Petro of Hamilton, NJ as the Padre; Butch Burger of Southampton, NJ as the barber; Elizabeth Rzasa of Lawrenceville, NJ as Antonia; and Debbie Ryan of Robbinsville, NJ as the Housekeeper.

The cast also includes John Ragazzo of East Windsor, NJ as Pedro; Keith Nielsen of Yardville, NJ as Anselmo; John Russell of Mercerville, NJ as Tenorio; Chris Guell of Old Bridge, NJ as Jose; Robert Rasczyk of Belleville, NJ as Paco; Marc Flicker of Yardley, PA as Juan; Eric Wishnie of Morrisville, PA as Quito; Toni Campbell of Trenton, NJ as Maria; Tess Ammerman of Arneytown, NJ as Fermina; Jamuna Dasi of Hamilton, NJ as the Moorish Dancing Girl; Allen Kasham of Hamilton, NJ as the Captain of the Inquisition; with Krystal Vozza of Hamilton, NJ, and Melissa Rittman of Ewing, NJ in the ensemble.

Maurer Productions OnStage will present Man of La Mancha Friday, February 6th and 13th at 8pm, Saturday, February 7th and 14th at 8pm, Saturday, February 7th at 2pm, Sunday, February 8th and 15th, at 2pm in the Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College. The theatre is located on the college's West Windsor Campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road. Free parking is available next to the theatre. To order tickets, go online at www.kelseyatmccc.org, call 609-570-3333, or stop by the Kelsey Theatre Box Office. Ticket prices are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and $12 for students and children. The Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices upon request. More information about this production of Man of La Mancha can be found online at www.mponstage.com.

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