THE WIZARD OF OZ Plays MCCC's Kelsey Theatre, 3/23-4/1

Journey to a world of witches, wizards and munchkins in the Yardley Players' production of the musical, "The Wizard of Oz" at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre.  Dates and show times for this enduring classic are: Fridays, March 23 and March 30 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, March 24 and March 31 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays, March 25 and April 1 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 23.  (Note: Earlier start time for family audiences.)

The production promises magical entertainment for the whole family, as children can experience the Land of Oz on stage for the first time and adults can relive the journey down the Yellow Brick Road with favorite characters Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion and Toto too. From the moment the tornado touches down and transports Dorothy to a colorful new land, all will agree they're not in Kansas anymore!

Based on the 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum, the hit 1939 MGM film version starring Judy Garland won the Academy Award for Best Score and Best Original Song for "Over the Rainbow."  The story has stood the test of time, and was revived in 2011 on Broadway with new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice.  

Starring in "The Wizard of Oz" are Kaitlyn Bader of Westampton as Dorothy; Mike Dilorio of Hamilton as Uncle Henry; Laurie Hardy of Hamilton as the Wicked Witch; Del Howard of Lawrenceville as Tinman; Laura Lowrie of East Windsor as Aunt Em; Mike McCollum of Feasterville, Pa., as the Wizard; Matthew Muccigrossi of Belle Mead as Scarecrow; Matt South of Levittown, Pa., as Cowardly Lion; and Marge Swider of Langhorne, Pa., as Glinda.

The adult ensemble includes: Mike Almstedt of Hamilton, Carolyn Anzuini of East Windsor, Ed Bader of Westampton, Rebecca Briant of Old Bridge, Stacy Danka of Allentown, Rafaelle Danta of Newark, Abby Fallen of Philadelphia, Pa., Elizabeth Felkner of Yardville, Roland Felkner of Yardville, Forrest Filiano, Langhorne, Pa., Justin Ghaffoor of Hamilton, Bridget Gooley of Allentown, Kimmy Graham of Yardley, Pa., Sally Graham of Yardley, Pa., Jessica Heyer of Princeton, Nobuko Hori of South River, Ashley Patrick of Langhorne, Pa., Cynthia Reynolds of Bordentown, Jennifer Rohmeyer of Belle Mead, Karlee SanGiovanni of Burlington, Ron SanGiovanni of Burlington, Walter Smyth of Trevose, Pa., Ed Szemis of West Windsor, Stephen Szemis of West Windsor, and Liz Wurtz of Levittown, Pa.

Featured as munchkins are Alexander Arias of West Windsor, Emma Behrens of East Windsor, Evan Chartock of Princeton Junction, Madelyn Chartock of Princeton Junction, Amyelisabeth Dilorio of Hamilton, Phoebe Elias of Princeton Junction, Faith Fonseca of Lawrenceville, Madeline Fox of Lawrenceville, Kathryn Gilbride of Yardley, Pa., Jack Granahan of Lawrenceville, Molly Granahan of Lawrenceville, Jorden Hoogsteden of Princeton Junction, Camryn McAuliffe of Skillman, Olivia Mullin of Ivyland, Pa., Sydney Munn of Monroe, Amy Oliver of Hamilton, Katie Ossowski of Lawrenceville, Sam Porozok of Allentown, Christina Pullen of New Egypt, Alexys Pulsinelli of Bordentown, Leenie Rohmeyer of Belle Mead, Nicky  Torchia of Langhorne, Pa., and Ella Zalot of Levittown, Pa.

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 online at www.kelseytheatre.net.  Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theater.

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