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Shall we dance?
The regal pageantry of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The King
and I" comes to MCCC's Kelsey Theatre in November. The
show is presented by Playful Theatre Productions Fridays and Saturdays,
Nov. 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m., and Sundays, Nov. 16 and 23 at
2 p.m. Additional shows have been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 15
at 2 p.m. and Thursday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. A reception with the cast
and crew follows the opening night performance on Nov. 14. Kelsey
Theatre is located on Mercer's West
Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.
It's East meets
West in this dramatic, richly textured and ultimately uplifting
tale. The setting is Siam in 1862. Anna Leonowens, a widowed teacher
from England, arrives with her young son at the Royal Palace in
Bangkok to serve as tutor to the King's many wives and children.
Generally viewed as less than civilized in the West, the King enlists
Anna's assistance in changing his image, if not his ways. With both
of them keeping a firm grip on their respective traditions and values,
Anna and the King grow to understand and respect one another in
a truly unique love story. The dazzling score includes such classics
as "Getting To Know You," "Hello, Young Lovers,"
"I Whistle A Happy Tune," and "Shall We Dance,"
along with the incomparable Jerome Robbins ballet, "The Small
House of Uncle Thomas," one of the all-time marvels of the
musical stage.
Starring in
the "King and I" are: Fred Gropper as the King, Elizabeth
Rzasa as Anna, Alwyn Baskin as Kralahome, Zachary Levine as Louis,
Eryn LaCroy as Tuptim, Kristin Keenan as Lady Thiang, Michael Baskin-Searles
as Chululonghorn, Robert Farruggia as LunTha, Elizabeth Ferrara
as Princess Ying Yaowlak, Jeff Scharf as the Captain, Pat Parton
as Sir Edward, and Keith Nielsen as Phra-alak/ Interpreter.
The king's wives
are played by Melissa Consiglio, Jennifer Davis, Jan Gottlieb, Alexandra
Haas, Caroline Haas, Laura Jackson-Jahnke, Beverly Kuo-Hamilton,
and Christina Rose.
The King's children
are played by Matthew Blazejewski, Madelyn Curtin, Kaitlynn Ely,
Danielle Eves, Ethan Hamilton, Simon Hamilton, Katrina Meni, Anjali
Nambrath of Marlboro, Madeline Schmidt, Victoria Scialfa, Jahmir
"J" Scott and Jenna Valentine.
Other featured
performers are: Emily Corrigan as Dancer/Eliza, Igor Dexter as Ensemble
member, Kaitlynn Ely as Uncle Thomas, Nina Fasoli as Nurse/Dancer,
Kiernan Matts as attendant/Buddha, Anjali Mehta as Nurse/Little
Eva, Christina Rose as Topsey, Rachel Tovar as Dancer/ George and
Angel, and Stephanie Venanzi as Simon of LeGree.
Tickets
for "The King and I" are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors,
and $12 for students and children. Free parking is available next
to the theater. Tickets may be purchased online
at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at
609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible and provides
assisted listening devices upon request. For a complete listing
of adult and children's events for the 2008-09 season, visit the
Kelsey webpage or call the box office for a brochure.
To
request a brochure by mail, email your request here.
For more on events at Kelsey Theatre visit:
2008-09
Season
Ticket Information
Audition Information
Kelsey
Kids Playshops
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