Photo Flash: Family Holiday Shows Warm Audience Hearts at MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre, Beg. Tonight

The fun starts with the hilarious Christmas tale, THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER. Dates and times are tonight, November 16 at 7 pm; Saturdays, November 17 and 24 at 2 and 4 pm; and Sundays, November 18 and 25 at 2 and 4 pm. Presented by The Kelsey Players and Tomato Patch, this show embraces the chaos of the holidays, as it tells the story of a couple struggling to put on a church pageant, faced with casting the Herdman kids, who are known for being inventively awful. Audiences will enjoy watching the mayhem unfold, as the Herdmans, led by their particularly feisty older sister, collide with the Christmas story head on!

Starring as the Bradley family are Luddy Iezzo of Hamilton as Bob Bradley; Marla Iezzo of Hamilton as Grace Bradley; Caroline Herbert of Pennington as Beth Bradley; and Jack Granahan of Lawrenceville as Charlie Bradley. Starring as the Herdman family are Jon Logan of West Windsor as Ralph Herdman; Amy Oliver of Hamilton as Imogene Herdman; John Jones of Cream Ridge as Leroy Herdman; Jack Lynch of Princeton as Claude Herdman; Hayden Clark of Lawrenceville as Ollie Herdman; and Faith Fonseca of Lawrenceville as Gladys Herdman.

Also part of the cast are Rebecca Briant of Old Bridge, Julianne Wenc of Millstone Township, Wyatt Kim of Yardley, PA, Molly Granaham of Lawrenceville, Cole Reed of Hamilton, Julia Patella of Cranbury, Emma Behrens of East Windsor, Hope Springer of Crosswicks, Isis Edwards of Franklin Park, Lauren Wargo of West Windsor, Hope Wargo of Robbinsville, Conswella Hartfield of Franklin Park, Cathy Coryat of Cream Ridge, Mary Ann Wylie of Morrisville, PA, Ann D'Silva of Newtown, PA, Jerry Wargo of West Windsor, Freddie Iezzo of Hamilton, Grace Lynch of Princeton, Grant Wargo of West Windsor, and Aimee Clark of Lawrenceville.

Then, join the Kelsey Players as they present their annual holiday musical, 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, based on Clement C. Moore's beloved poem. Dates and times for this production are Friday, November 30 at 7 pm; Saturday, December 1st at 11 am, 2 pm and 4 pm; and Sunday, December 2nd at 2 and 4 pm.

Originally penned as a Christmas present for his children, Moore's poem has become a cherished classic. The musical features jolly old St. Nick himself, his eight tiny reindeer, some remarkably talented sugar plums, and the cutest mouse in New York City. The Moore family and their neighbors will create a magical winter wonderland set in 1822 New York for audiences of all ages to enjoy.

The show kicks off with the hilarious "North Pole's Got Talent," featuring the brightest stars of the Arctic, followed by "'Twas." Families are invited to stay after the show to meet Santa and his friends. Patrons can donate an unwrapped new toy to Kelsey's Annual Toys4Tots Drive in the collection box located in the theater lobby.

The cast features Kurt Penney of Pennington as Clement Moore; Sally Page of Princeton as Eliza Moore; Mary Rose Brendel of Cranbury as Margaret Moore; Dasha Eisenhauer of Ewing as Charity Moore; and Mr. Kringle as himself.

The ensemble cast includes Nick Kianka of Hamilton, Dakota Torres of Bordentown, Joy Costello of Hamilton Square, Samantha Smith of Pennington, Christina Pullen of New Egypt, Alexys M. Pulsinelli of Bordentown, Julia Vardakis of Robbinsville, Chelsea Mecanko of Mercerville, Isabella Iorio of Hamilton Square, Charlotte Gougher of Newtown, PA, David Learn of New Brunswick, Niki Learn of New Brunswick, Courtney Kosman of East Windsor, Eowyn Learn of New Brunswick, Ruth Learn of New Brunswick, Anna Learn of New Brunswick, Drew Grandham of Ewing, Jana Graham of Jackson, Isis Henderson of Hamilton Square, Teddy Brendel of Cranbury, and Riley McGowen of Philadelphia, PA.

The show is directed by long-time Kelsey Theatre performer Tom Bessellieu with musical direction by Pat Masterson and costumes by MCCC Fashion Design instructor Kate Pinner.
Tickets for both productions are $10 for all ages, and may be purchased by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333, or visiting www.kelseytheatre.net. Free parking is available next to the theater, which is wheelchair accessible.

Mary Rose Brendel and Dasha Eisenhauer

Kurt Penney, Sally Page, Mary Rose Brendel, and Dasha Eisenhauer

John Jones, Faith Fonseca, Hayden Clark, Jack Lynch, and Amy Oliver

Hope Wargo, Emma Behrens, Molly Granahan, Hope Springer, Julia Patella, and Lauren Wargo, and Isis Edwards