Kelsey Theatre

by Deitra Oliver Shakespeare strikes fear into the hearts of many directors, actors, and theatregoers. The language, complex characters and storylines, and the weight of expectation all contribute to why so many shy away from Shakespeare. Shakespeare 70, in association with the Kelsey Theatre, is celebrating their 56th year of sharing Shakespeare’s works and proving why we shouldn’t be afraid not only to watch, but to enjoy these classic plays. Their summer offering is one o

by Angela Robb As an early childhood educator, I continually find myself returning to the works of Dr. Seuss. His stories are timeless and filled with playful language and memorable characters. Characters like Horton the Elephant, The Grinch, The Lorax, and The Cat in the Hat are recognized and beloved by multiple generations. While I have read Seuss’s works regularly as a child and shared them with countless children over the years, I have never seen Seussical the Musical u

by Meg Bryan Few theatrical experiences have felt as gleefully alive as Maurer Productions OnStage's production of The 39 Steps (at the Kelsey Theatre) as adapted for stage by Patrick Barlow. This show is full of heart with the quartet of a cast delivering a performance that is delightfully unrestrained. There’s a palpable joy in the way the cast navigates its challenges, ignoring limitations and turning theatrical convention on its head. The result is a show that feels sim

by April Johnson I had the privilege to view the world premiere of the original musical It’s Never Too Late on Saturday, April 4th at the Kelsey Theater at Mercer presented by Theater to Go Production Company. Starting as a means of catharsis, Lou DiPietro (Book & Lyrics) created a show idea seven years ago relating to his experiences of playing professional baseball in the Minor Leagues in search of a big break. Expecting that his chances of making the Major League was s

by Meg Bryan We all can name at least one book we were made to read in school that has stuck in our heads for the rest of our lives. Those classic stories like The Outsiders, Old Yeller, 1984, Catcher in the Rye, and many more were integral to our learning experience as children. However, the one story that has stuck with me personally the most was when my class read One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in high school. Every turn this story took had terrified and rattled me to my

by M. Smith A night of mystery, intrigue, and a planned murder?! This is what awaits you at the Kelsey Theatre with Bear Tavern Project Productions rendition of Clue: The Musical. I got the chance to see this show last weekend, and truly experienced a wonderful production that brought back fond memories of playing the board game with my family. Similar to the game, the audience chooses three cards at random to begin the game: the suspect, the weapon, and the location. Thus b

by Don Toal Jr. We all carry a lot around with us. We carry regrets, mistakes, insecurities, fears. We carry around masks and walls we put up to protect ourselves from those same sources of fear and loneliness. Which is why having a space to let those walls down and be the most authentic versions of ourselves is so important. To feel emotions honestly and without judgment. For me (and I would imagine, a lot of folks reading these words), the theatre is definitely that s

by Deitra Oliver Gaslight, at Kelsey Theatre collaboration with Theater To Go, is an intense psychological thriller that will leave you feeling strangely satisfied in the end, but may also cause you to look a little deeper at the relationships in your own life. The term "gaslighting" has gained popularity in recent years to describe emotional abuse and manipulation in relationships, but what many people do not know is that it originated from this 1938 play by Patrick Hamilto

by Meg Bryan Romantic comedies are a favorite genre for many of us, no matter what form they may be boxed up in (movies, books, musicals, etc.). Even with the highs and lows that come with these stories, at their core, they’re always a good go-to when you’re in need of an emotional pick-me-up. One of my personal favorites within that genre is the musical She Loves Me, one of the greatest displays of the enemies to lovers trope that I’ve seen. Set in Hungary in the 1930s, thi

by M. Smith There is always a certain charm that comes with a play that is painfully aware of itself and its shenanigans. A piece that calls out its own idiosyncrasies is one that promises a night of fun and entertainment. Drop Dead! by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore at the Kelsey Theatre (through Yardley Players) delivered just that in their fascinating rendition of this piece. This play is one that opens on a theatre troupe’s bad production of a murder mystery, but thing

by Evie Passanante Young Frankenstein at the Kelsey Theater, directed by John M. Maurer, is a hit like no other! Along with this fabulous direction, comes astounding musical direction, by Laurie Gougher, and dazzling choreography by Haley Schmalbach. This production truly brought Transylvania to New Jersey, immersing the audience the entire time. Walking into the Kelsey Theater, I was greeted with the kindest ushers and usherettes, who handed out themed programs, looking

by Josh Buffington South Pacific is a 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical set during World War II on a South Pacific island. It explores themes of love, war, and racial prejudice. The story follows Nellie Forbush, a U.S. Navy nurse from Arkansas, who falls in love with Emile de Becque, a French plantation owner. Their romance is tested when Nellie discovers that Emile has mixed-race children from his late Polynesian wife, revealing her own ingrained prejudices. A parallel s

by Angela Robb As someone who was a child in the 1990s and early 2000s Nickelodeon was always on my TV and from its premiere in 1999 SpongeBob Squarepants was an immediate favorite. Even now over 25 (wow I’m old) years later the episodes from its prime hold up. Despite its target audience being children its humor is somehow even funnier from an adult’s perspective. SpongeBob Squarepants is still running in its 16th season and expanded to include several feature length films

by Lisa Palena Based on the 1944 classic starring Judy Garland, Meet Me in St. Louis follows the adventures of the wholesome and enchanting Smith family at the turn of the 20th century, the year before the World’s Fair in St. Louis. Family patriarch, Alonso (Brian Davis), works tirelessly as a junior partner in a legal office, while his wife Anna (Leah Panuccio) attempts to keep the family in line with the help of Irish maid Katie (Suzanne Houston) as well as her father (Ba

by Mike McKeon “BUNBURY!!” This is a fun new word I learned this weekend and have been yelling randomly around the house. Honestly, I’ve been repeating it enough that it is starting to drive my fiancé a little crazy. This old, but catchy term is from the 1895 play The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. (No, 1895 is not a typo) I had the privilege of seeing a rendition of this classic play, produced by Shakespeare 70 at Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community Coll

by Don Toal Jr. Theatre is an art form steeped in traditions. We have our superstitions, our beliefs in what brings us good luck and fortune…and what will definitely not. We have our conventions, those storytelling techniques which are assumed as part of our craft. (Ever wonder where the ‘fourth wall’ came from? Theatre raised it – and broke it – first.) And we have certain works that are layered into the bedrock of our art form, that over decades have established the fr

by Aimee Renna Last night I had the delight of seeing the Mercer County Community College Academic Theater, Dance, & Entertainment Tech Programs spring production of Anything Goes. This musical, originally written in 1934 by Cole Porter has five different versions of its libretto: the original, the 1962 off-Broadway revival, the 1987 revival, the 2011 revival, and the 2022 revised libretto. The production performed for this occasion is adapted from the 1987 Broadway Revival

by Mike McKeon “Whoa! That was not what I expected!” I found myself repeating throughout my time at Mercer County Community College, beginning with the beautiful on-campus theatre. I had the pleasure of visiting Kelsey Theatre to attend the production of DEATHTRAP presented by Maurer Productions Onstage and directed by John M. Maurer. I was lucky enough to be settled perfectly center of the tiered style seating, providing a great view with very comfortable chairs. DEATHT

by Josh Buffington Ladies, Gentlemen, and those who have yet to make up their minds. Walking into the Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College and seeing the set for the first time made my expectations for this show even higher than expected. The set designed by Jeff Cantor was amazing! The amount of skill every part or the set had by adding a skywalkway and using underneath it as the stage for Lola and her Angels. Also, the way they used the depth of the stage w

by Lisa Palena The first of many Rodgers and Hammerstein collaborations, Oklahoma! tells the tale of a high spirited rivalry between farmers and cowboys in the turn of the 20th century. Furthermore, the musical follows the love story of Curly, a charming cowboy, and Laurey, a fierce farm girl who defies traditional conventions of the time period. Even if one isn’t familiar with the storyline, they have most likely heard the classic score. With such well-known songs as “Oh

by Laura Duffy Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, written by Todd Kreidler and based on the movie of the same name, follows the Drayton family: Matt (Victor Barretta), Christina (Linda Cunningham), and their daughter Joanna (Ariel Gruhin). In 1967 California, Joanna returns from a trip to Hawaii, where she has met and become engaged to John Prentice, Jr. (Nob’l), a Black doctor who has become renowned worldwide for his important medical research. Matt and Christina, although hold

by Aimee Ferenz Last night I had the pleasure of attending a production of the one act dramatization of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach. This production is dramatized by Richard R. George and performed by the Spirit Players at the beautiful Kelsey Theatre. The story follows the abused young orphan James Trotter who lives with his aunts Spiker and Sponge. He is visited by a mysterious old man who gives him a bag of crocodile tongues that he says can do magical things.

by M. Smith Imagine yourself cleaning your home, whatever that may mean to you. Whether it be wiping down the counters, burning incense, or just putting away that one cup that has been sitting goodness knows where for goodness knows how long; it’s your cleaning ritual. You may feel at peace, it may be frustrating, it may be weighing heavy on your mind, but you know it’s clean. Then, you see a stain, a memory if you will, of your home, one that is full of a moment that neve

by April Johnson ‘Twas the hour after noon of Sunday, Dec 8th and all through Kelsey Theater….okay, I’m sorry, I can’t find anything to rhyme with this but we all find ourselves repeating the beloved starting line from the holiday classic by Clement Moore. Book and lyrics by Bruce Craig Miller,” ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” is based on Moore’s life events and his notorious poem formally known as “A Visit From St. Nicholas.” As we walked in the vestibule of the theate