MCCC's Kelsey Theatre Announces 2007-08 Season Discount Ticket Packages Available 7/16/07 Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2007-08 with a super-spy "007" theme, MCCC's Kelsey Theatre announces a season filled with the thrills and excitement that can only come from live theater - inspiring dramas, award-winning family musicals, and a delightful series just for kids. Kelsey is Mercer County's family theater, offering quality productions at affordable prices. Shows are presented by talented regional theater companies and traveling professional troupes. Discounted packages are now available, guaranteeing the best seats at the best prices. Kelsey Theatre is located on Mercer's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. Said Kelsey Artistic Director M. Kitty Getlik, "I want to thank the public - the actors who have graced us with their talents year after year, and our loyal audiences, whose love of the theater is evidenced in their enthusiastic support." Getlik notes that in addition to use by Mercer's drama students, Kelsey Theatre is the adoptive home of between six and nine regional companies who present full-length productions each season. And while many theaters are turning to canned music for accompaniment, Kelsey is "committed to the stirring sounds that can only come from a live orchestra," Getlik said. Now in her 29th year, Getlik has made a home at Kelsey, where a typical workday can run late into the evening and theater folk become like family. "My vision has been to create a central facility where everyone from our community can experience the electric energy of live theater. There is nothing else like it," Getlik said. She notes that everyone involved in a production - from the backstage crew to the stars of the show - puts their all into it. Getlik herself has performed in many shows over the years. The curtain goes up on the 2007-08 season on Sept. 28 with "Falsettos," William Finn and James Lapine's jazzy, Tony Award-winning musical comedy, presented by Pierrot Productions and continuing through Oct 7. The Yardley Players presents "Clue, the Musical" Oct. 19- 28, based on the classic board game and boasting a different ending to every performance. Families will delight in Playful Theatre Productions' "Beauty and the Beast" Nov. 2-11, adapted from the animated Disney film and filled with spectacular musical numbers and beloved characters. Pierrot Productions presents "Follies" from Nov. 16-25, the Tony-Award winning Stephen Sondheim musical about a reunion among actors in a beloved theater scheduled for demolition. A sentimental family favorite ushers in the holiday season when the Pennington Players presents "Miracle on 34th Street" Nov. 30-Dec. 9. The Kelsey Theatre staff prepares for another great season. Pictured, from left, are Artistic Director M. Kitty Getlik, Dan Spalluto, Amy Foris and Tracy Antozzeski. Not pictured: Kate Pinner. One of the early offerings in the Kelsey Kids Series is "Kids of Polk Street School's Fish Face" presented by ArtsPower Oct. 6. The ever popular "Russian American Kids Circus" returns to Kelsey with a dazzling show Jan. 26. Starting off the new year with wit and heart is Cheng/Ferrara Productions' "Elegies" Jan. 18-20, an uplifting evening of musical letters from playwright William Finn. Maurer Productions OnStage presents "Driving Miss Daisy" Feb. 1-10, the Pulitzer prize-winning tale of the unlikely relationship between an aging, crotchety white Southern lady and her proud, soft-spoken African-American employee. From Feb. 15-24, the Pennington Players perform "My Favorite Year," a musical focusing on a freshman writer and his efforts to babysit a veteran Hollywood actor. The thoroughly delightful "Thoroughly Modern Millie" will be presented by Playful Theatre Feb. 29-Mar. 9. Spring is sprung in grand musical fashion with Maurer Productions OnStage's "Singin' In The Rain" - including an actual onstage rainstorm! - Mar. 28-Apr. 6. Mercer's talented drama students present a classic of an entirely different sort with William Shakespeare's "MacBeth" April 18-27. Considered one of the great musicals of the 20th century, Bertolt Brecht's "3Penny" is presented by Pierrot Productions May 2-11. On May 17 and 18, the Mercer Dance Ensemble performs "MDE Undercover," a lighthearted, lyrical look at life and love through movement and music. Next up is "The Full Monty" May 30-Jun. 8, a bold and bawdy musical comedy presented by Cheng/Ferrara Productions. And, before the lights go down on a stellar season, the James Tolin Memorial Fund presents "What The Butler Saw," a naughty, frisky farce that captures swinging 1960s London, June 20-22. (Proceeds from this benefit weekend will be donated to an annual MCCC scholarship and The Open Arms Foundation.) The Kelsey Kids Series starts off with "Hot Peas 'n Butter" Sept. 29, a multi-cultural, bi-lingual Latin and jazz band for kids as seen on NoGGIN and Nickelodeon and winner of 2006 Family Choice award. Next up is "Kids of Polk Street School's Fish Face" presented by ArtsPower Oct. 6, followed by "The Emperor's New Clothes," presented by Maurer Productions OnStage Oct. 12-14. Theatre IV presents the inspiring "Song of Mulan" Nov. 17, followed by TheatreworksUSA's "Junie B. Jones" Nov. 24. The holiday season will be more memorable with two special events at Kelsey: "'Twas The Night Before Christmas," the Clement Moore's poem brought to life by The Kelsey Players Dec. 14-16, and "The Nutcracker," performed by Belle Mead Ballet's Dec. 21-22. Launching the new year is "Sideways Stories from Wayside School," presented by The Yardley Players Jan. 11-13. The dazzling and amazing "Russian American Kids Circus" comes to Kelsey Jan. 26. Presented by the Berenchtein and Partigul families, this professional circus troupe features performers ages 6-18. On Feb. 2, the emphasis is on laughter with the "Funny Stuff Circus," starring Mr. Fish and Trent the Mime and their boomerangs, bubbles and beach balls. The fun continues with TheatreworksUSA's "Max & Ruby" Feb. 23, based on the top-rated Nickelodeon television show inspired by Rosemary Wells' bunny siblings, Max and Ruby. And who could resist Theatre IV's "Stone Soup," based on the classic book, on Mar. 8? The Mercer County Symphonic Band engages kids in an interactive concert with "Strike Up The Band" on Mar. 15. Children will be enchanted by TheatreworksUSA's "Dr. Doolittle" Apr. 19 about a kind-hearted physician who talks to the animals. American Family Theater's "Sleeping Beauty" brings the story of a princess, a 100-year sleep and a magical kiss to Kelsey Theatre on May 3. "Madeline and the Bad Hat" is Artspower's contribution to a great Kelsey season on May 10, starring Madeline, Miss Clavel and the Spanish Ambassador's son Pepito in a brand new musical. The Kelsey Players presents a must-see for the youngest set in "Little Red Hen" May 31 and June 7. Ticket prices for full length musicals are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for students and children. Prices for non-musicals are $12 for adults, and $10 for seniors, students and children. The cost for children's shows is $10 for adults and $8 for children. Subscriber packages offer savings of up to 40%, and include exchanges for performances of the same show, special "add-a-show" rates, and advance sales of single tickets. E-tickets may be purchased and printed out from patrons' home computers by visiting Kelsey Ticket Information. Tickets may also be purchased by mail with checks made payable to MCCC/Kelsey Theatre, P.O. Box B, Trenton, NJ 08690; by calling the Kelsey Box Office with Visa, MasterCard or American Express at (609) 570-3333; 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 denomination. To receive a brochure on Kelsey's 2007-08 season or for more information on individual or group sales, call the Kelsey Box Office or click for PDF here. Provide your email address to receive your tickets by computer, and to join the new "Email Club" and blogspot. Kelsey Theatre welcomes help from community volunteers. Jobs include ushering, building scenery, sewing costumes, and running the light and sound board. Call (609)570-3581 for more information. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices upon request. Funding for many 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 theater gratefully accepts donations to cover costs such as audio system equipment. To learn more about events and programs at Kelsey Theatre visit: Kelsey Home Page Current Schedule Kelsey Kids Playshops Open Auditions Production History Tomato Patch Directions to MCCC Return to What's New

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