MCCC's Kelsey Theatre Announces Its 2009-2010 'Tribute To Hollywood' Season Beginning 9/4

Mercer County Community College's (MCCC) Kelsey Theatre will roll out the red carpet with a tribute to Hollywood during its 2009-2010 season set to begin September 4. Among the 16 full-length dramas, comedies and musicals are "Alice in Wonderland - The Musical," "Jekyll & Hyde," "Equus," "The Producers" and "My Fair Lady." The Kelsey Kids Series features professional productions presented by talented traveling troupes.

Kelsey Theatre is Mercer County's premiere family theater, located on MCCC's West Windsor campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road. Discounted series packages are on sale now; subscribers receive savings of up to 45% off regular ticket prices. Tickets for all individual performances go on sale August 25.

With its theme of "Hooray for Hollywood," Kelsey Artistic Director M. Kitty Getlik notes that this year's schedule is drawn from shows that were made into movies and vice versa. "From Broadway to Hollywood, there seems to be a habit of sharing the best in dramas, comedies and musicals. We hope that audience members will be thrilled to see the stage versions of their favorite films. This season promises to provide glorious moments of pathos, humanity and hilarity." Getlik adds that all musicals are accompanied by a live community orchestra and that ticket prices for Kelsey shows remain a small fraction of the cost of a ticket to Broadway.

The season of full-length productions opens with a world premiere adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland," with music and lyrics by Marilyn Gerold based on the Lewis Carroll classic. Presented by 20 Minutes to Curtain Productions, the musical opens Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. with a special fundraiser reception to follow the show. (Note: The ticket price for this performance only is $50.) Additional performances for the whole family are from Sept. 5-13. Next up is the epic battle between good and evil with Cheng/Ferrara Productions' "Jekyll & Hyde - The Musical" from Sept. 18-27. The moving comedy-drama, "Hollywood Arms," written by comic legend Carol Burnett and her daughter Carrie Hamilton, is presented by Maurer Productions OnStage from Oct. 2-11. The Yardley Players are up next with William Inge's classic comedy, "Bus Stop," Oct. 16-25, followed by PinnWorth Productions' shattering portrait of an intrepid psychiatrist and a disturbed teen in "Equus" Oct. 30-Nov. 8.

The mood takes a lighter turn when Pierrot Productions presents "The Producers - The Mel Brooks Musical" Nov. 13-22, followed by The Pennington Players feel-good holiday classic, "A Christmas Story," Nov. 27-Dec. 6.

The new year begins outside the box with inspirational song and dance in "Children's Letters to God," presented by Maurer Productions OnStage Jan. 8-17. The dazzling "Nelson Illusions" premieres at Kelsey Jan. 22-24, blending magic, mystery, comedy, and audience participation, while the talented rock 'n roll trio, Squeaky Clean, performs well loved songs of the '50s, '60s, and '70s in a concert for all ages on Feb. 7.

More delights are in store with Pierrot Productions' "Pygmalion" Feb. 12-21, followed by the towering classic, "Fiddler on the Roof," to be presented by Playful Theater Productions Feb. 26-Mar. 7. "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" will be told in a heart-warming family musical by Maurer Productions OnStage Mar. 12-21, while MCCC's very own Theatre, Dance and Entertainment Technology students present a groundbreaking American musical that recently closed on Broadway Apr. 9-18. (The show's title will be announced January 20). Family fare is up next with The Yardley Players' "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" Apr. 23-May 2 and "My Fair Lady," presented by Pierrot Productions May 7-16.

Mercer students once again take center stage May 22-23 when the Mercer Dance Ensemble presents "MDE - Legacy," featuring talented students, alumni and special guests in a lyrical 30th anniversary modern dance recital with director Janell Byrne. The season's musicals end on a memorable note when the Pennington Players present "Ragtime" June 4-13. "Sordid Lives, the adult black comedy, completes the season June 25-27; this annual fundraising benefit for the Open Arms Foundation and James Tolin Memorial Fund includes a Sunday performance at the regular ticket prices.

There is much in store for the younger set. The Kelsey Kids Series gets off to a flying start with Kaleidoscope Theatre's musical adaptation of "Aladdin" Sept. 26, followed by Theatre IV's performance of the Grimm's fairy tale, "Snow White," Oct. 3. "The Three Pigs," presented by Kaleidoscope Theatre, is up next on Oct. 17, while Theatreworks/Two Bean Productions brings "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" to the Kelsey stage Nov. 21.

The holiday season shines bright at Kelsey with two annual favorites: "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," presented by the Kelsey Players Dec. 11-13, and "The Nutcracker," performed by New Jersey Youth Ballet Dec. 18-20.

Youngsters can ring in the new year with the Nelsons as they present "Magic with the Nelsons" on Jan. 23. Next up is "Bugsy Malone Jr.", a tribute to the 1920s gangster flicks Jan. 29-31, presented by a cast of youngsters who have honed their acting skills in MCCC's Tomato Patch Workshops.

American Family Theatre presents its delightful adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's "The Little Mermaid" Feb. 20. Rounding out the season is a potpourri of other popular tales and book adaptations: Theatre IV's "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," March 27; ArtsPower's "Are You My Mother?" Apr. 10; Theatreworks/USA's "Click, Clack, Moo" May 22; and Kaleidoscope Theatre's "Mother Goose" June 5.

Ticket prices for full-length musicals are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, and $10 for students and children. Prices for non-musicals are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for students and children. The cost for children's shows is $8 for children and $10 for adults. Discounted subscriber packages include premium seating, exchanges for performances of the same show, special "add-a-show" rates, and advance sales of single tickets. Group discounts are also available.

E-tickets may be purchased online and printed out at home by visiting the Kelsey website at www.kelseytheatre.net . Tickets may also be purchased by calling the Kelsey Box Office with Visa, MasterCard or American Express at (609) 570-3333; by mail with checks made payable to MCCC/Kelsey Theatre, P.O. Box B, Trenton, NJ 08690; or by ordering in person at the Box Office. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon; Fridays, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and one hour before show time for in-person purchases only. Gift certificates are available in any amount. To request a hard copy of Kelsey's 2009-10 season brochure, email kelsey@mccc.edu or call the Box Office. Provide your email address to receive your tickets by computer, and to join the "Email Club"

Kelsey Theatre welcomes assistance from community volunteers. Jobs include ushering, building scenery, sewing costumes, and running the light and sound boards. Call (609) 570-3581 for more information.

The theatre is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices upon request. Funding for performances has been made possible in part by the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission through funding from the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts. The theatre gratefully accepts donations.

Pictured are Artistic Director M. Kitty Getlik (second from right) with staff members, from left, Kate Pinner, Marc Flicker, Tracy Antozzeski, Amy Foris, Dan Spalluto, Marge Maurer and Lott Pittman