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The ever-lovable
Pooh Bear returns to the Hundred Acre Wood at MCCC's Kelsey Theatre.
Maurer Productions Onstage presents an original new musical, "A
Winnie-the-Pooh Birthday Tail," Friday, August 15 at 7
p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, August 16, 17, 23, and 24 at 2
and 4 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on Mercer's West
Windsor campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road.
Based on the timeless tales of A.A. Milne, the musical follows the
adventures of Christopher Robin and the colorful inhabitants of
the Hundred Acre Wood - Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Tigger, Kanga,
Roo and more - as they prepare for Eeyore's birthday party. Will
they find his missing tail in time?
In Maurer Productions' unique and vivid adaptation, all of the characters,
with the exception of Christopher Robin, are stage-size, hand-crafted
puppets. The puppetry is presented in the Japanese style of Bunraku.
According to director Diana Gilman Maurer, "The puppeteers
are not hidden behind walls or under the floor. They appear on stage
with their puppet. This creates a hybrid performance that blends
the actors' expressions with their puppet characters."
This year's show features three new puppets -- Tigger, Baby Roo,
and Bunny. "The biggest challenge is making Tigger," said
puppet designer John Maurer. "He will be a human arm puppet
like Kanga, and will have to take a lot of abuse as one of the most
energetic characters in the show."
Starring in "Winnie the Pooh" are Thomas Martella as Christopher
Robin and Toni Campbell as Winnie the Pooh. Appearing as Pooh's
companions in the Hundred Acre Wood are: Jake Bazel as Tigger, Marty
Berrien as Rabbit, Jesse Dubin as Eeyore, David Miller as Owl, and
Nicole Spadafino as Piglet. Kanga is a two-person puppet played
by Rosie Karlin and her daughter Mollie. Also featured are siblings
Stacy Maurer as Sunny Bunny, Hunter Maurer as Funny Bunny and Amanda
Maurer as Honey Bunny. The production team includes director/producer
Diana Gilman Maurer, musical director Buzz Herman, choreographer
Jane Coult and stage manager Jeff Cantor.
Tickets are $8 for children and seniors, and $10 for adults. Free
parking is available next to the theatre. Tickets may be purchased
online
or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre
is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices
upon request.
For information about the 2008-09 season at Kelsey, click here
or call the Box Office for a brochure.
For
more Kelsey information, visit:
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