Soar to New Heights at MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre During the 2016-17 Season

Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC’s) Kelsey Theatre has announced its upcoming season and it’s a blockbuster by any measure – packed with Broadway hits, family favorites, special holiday performances, and shows for the younger set.

Says M. Kitty Getlik, Kelsey’s Artistic Director, “As the college celebrates its 50th anniversary, we have created a lineup worthy of that milestone.”

She notes the major Broadway shows on this year’s schedule including “Miss Saigon,” Lin Manuel-Miranda’s “In the Heights,” “Billy Elliot, The Musical,” and Disney’s “A Little Mermaid.”

Rounding out the schedule are comedies, dance and the Kelsey Kids Series, offering six shows for the younger set. PlayFest 2017, the college’s – and the state’s – very first new play festival for current and former community college students takes place in March.

The full-length schedule gets off to a flying start with “Miss Saigon” for three weekends, Sept. 9 to 25, presented by PinnWorth Productions.

Maurer Productions OnStage presents Neil Simon’s “Jakes Women” Sept. 30 to Oct. 9.

Next up is “In the Heights,” presented by The Pennington Players Oct. 14 to 23.

The mood shifts to another Neil Simon comedy – with a twist – as The Yardley Players present Neil Simon – with a twist – in “The Odd Couple – Female Version” Oct. 28 to Nov. 6.

From Nov. 11 to 13, Theater To Go presents “Roebling - The Story of the Brooklyn Bridge,” a drama by New Jersey playwright Mark Violi about John Roebling’s most famous bridge project.

As Kelsey Theatre heads into the holiday season, M & M Stage Productions brings “Babes in Toyland” to life Nov. 18 to 27.

Next up, Forté Dramatic Productions returns with a holiday variety show, “A Very Kelsey Christmas,” Dec. 10 and 11.

Patrons can ring in the New Year with “Billy Elliot, The Musical,” presented by Pierrot Productions for three weekends, Dec. 30 to Jan. 15.

The Pennington Players present the madcap comedy “Unnecessary Farce” Jan. 20 to 29.

PinnWorth Productions serves up its own kind of mayhem with “God of Carnage” Feb. 3 to 12.

The laughs continue with “Boeing, Boeing,” presented by M & M Stage Productions Feb. 17 to 26. Reock & Roll Revue returns to Kelsey Theatre March 4 and 5 with another tribute concert to the greats of the 1960s and ’70s.

In a first for MCCC and the state, Mercer presents “PlayFest 2017,” a new play festival for current and former community college students, from March 7 to 12.

Tickets for festival performances go on sale in January. (More information for playwrights is available at www.mccc.edu/playfest2017.)

Next up is Theater To Go’s presentation of “To Kill a Mockingbird” March 17 to 26, while Playful Theatre Productions presents “Wonderland” March 31 to April 9.

The MCCC Theatre/Dance program, with technical assistance by Entertainment Technology students, journeys into the world of the surreal with “Blood Wedding” April 21 to 30. Federico Garcia Lorca’s masterpiece is infused with classic Spanish dance forms, including Flamenco, Tango and the Paso Doble.

Pierrot Productions brings “The Boy From Oz” to the Kelsey stage May 12 to 21. The Yardley Players present Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” May 26 to June 4.

Maurer Productions OnStage presents “The Glass Menagerie” June 10 to 18 and Shakespeare ’70 closes out the season with “Measure for Measure” June 23 to July 2.

The Kelsey Kids Series starts off with a children’s opera, “Beloved Prey,” presented by The Traveling Opera Company Sept. 24. Featuring colorful costumes and masks, this story of an unusual friendship between an antelope and a lioness blends traditional Japanese Noh theater and instrumentation and stylized dance movement.

On Oct. 1, the classic fairytale “The Princess and the Pea” is hilariously retold in Virginia Rep On Tour’s musical version.

In December, it’s time to get festive as The Kelsey Players present “Twas The Night Before Christmas” Dec. 2 to 4, about Santa’s midnight visit as told in Clement Moore’s beloved poem.

An abridged, fully narrated version of “The Nutcracker” follows Dec. 16 to 18, performed by The New Jersey Youth Ballet.

On April 22, Virginia Rep On Tour young audiences take a trip to “The House at Pooh Corner.”

On May 20, ArtsPower completes the children’s season with “Biscuit, featuring a frolicking puppy who loves exploring, stirring up mischief – and being part of a family.

Ticket prices for full-length musicals are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $16 for students/ children; non-musicals are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $14 for students/children.

Ticket prices for the Kelsey Kids Series are $10 for children and seniors, and $12 for adults.

Tickets for special events (“Miss Saigon,” “In The Heights,” “Billy Elliot,” and “The Little Mermaid”) are $20 for all.

The Reock & Roll Revue concert is $25 for all.

Current subscribers may renew now through August 10 for preferred seating. Tickets for all individual shows are also on sale by calling 609-570-3333. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net starting Aug. 20. The theater is wheelchair accessible and has secure lighted parking.

Kelsey Theatre has open auditions for many productions and welcomes assistance from community volunteers. The theater gratefully accepts donations. Call 609-570-3581 or visit the website for more information.

Funding for performances is 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