WHITE CHRISTMAS Comes to Kelsey Theatre, Beginning Today

The holiday season becomes even more magical when the snow starts falling. M&M Stage Productions brings "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" to Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre for three weekends: Fridays, Nov. 17 and Dec. 1 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Nov. 18, Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Nov. 19, Nov. 26, and Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. (There is no performance on Nov. 24).

Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on Nov. 17. Kelsey Theatre is participating in the Marine's "Toys for Tots" drive throughout the holiday season. Patrons may donate unopened toys to bins in the Kelsey Theatre lobby.

In the beloved classic, World War II veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have become an acclaimed song-and-dance team. With romance in mind, the two follow a pair of singing sisters, Betty and Judy Haynes, to Vermont, where the ladies will be performing at a mountain lodge over the holidays. The lodge just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil's former army commander, General Waverly. Soon enough Wallace and Davis are in on the act, and, in honor of their former general, they invite the whole 151st Division to enjoy a very special holiday reunion in Vermont.

Based on the 1954 film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features 17 Irving Berlin songs, including Blue Skies, I Love a Piano, Sisters and the perennial favorite, White Christmas. The book is by David Ives and Paul Blake. The show premiered in San Francisco in 2004, had a limited engagement on Broadway in 2008, and has been well-received in touring productions throughout the United States and in England.

The cast includes Elio E. Lleo of Ewing as Bob Wallace; Christopher Neuman of Ewing as Phil Davis; Jennifer Fischer of Hamilton as Betty Haynes; Haley Schmalbach of Palmyra as Judy Haynes; David Christoffersen of Lawrenceville as Gen. Henry Waverly; Stephanie A. Zimmerman of Hamilton as Martha Watson; Emmie Herman of Stockton as Susan Waverly; and Christopher Schmalbach of Palmyra as Ezekiel Foster.

The ensemble features Robert Angarone, Nicholas Eldridge, Nicholas Kianka, Jillian Lee, and Tara Wagner, all of Hamilton; Jennifer Litzinger and Makenna Katz of West Windsor; Connor McDowell and Erin Wurtz of Levittown, Pa.; Zachary Benedetti of Ewing; and Jenna Moschella of Colts Neck.

The production team includes Producers Mike Almstedt and Mike DiIorio, Director John M. Maurer, Music Director Pam Sharples, Choreographer Laura Ghaffoor, and Stage Manager Melissa Gaynor. Lighting design is by M. Kitty Getlik and costume design is by Louisa Murey.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $16 for students and teens. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333 or online at www.kelseytheatre.net. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theater. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.

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