k OnStage News & Notes - January 2016
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OnStage News & Notes - January 2016

MPOnStage NewsletterIn January we discuss the succsess of, and show some photos from, our fall show Around the World in 80 Day; We also announce auditions for our May musical, City of Angels; See which MPO Founder is a real angel... at least for one day; and see what some MPO alumni are up to.


What a Fun Trip:
Around the World in 80 Days Closes

Once again, a show’s run comes to a close, and what a fun trip it has been. Everything about this production was memorable, from the surprise visit by the author, Mark Brown to the hard work and dedication of the five actors.

From the moment the audience arrives they are immersed in the world of Phileas Fogg.  As they entered, they were handed the shows program, a replica of the London Times from 1875 with stories that highlight events in the production.  As they read their papers they were given a wonderful view of the travel themed set designed by John Maurer, built by Jeff Cantor with scenic design by Emily Russoniello and lighting by Judi Parrish.

The show’s cast featured the talents of Dan Keyser as Phileas Fogg; Maria Aromando as Aouda & James Forester; Kurt Penney as Jean Passepartout; John Pinto as Detective Fix, an elephant owner, Oysterpuff and more; and Dan Slothower as Sir Francis, Bunsby, Colonel Proctor… and a host of others!



As the lights come up and the audience was treated to a Comedy/Adventure for the whole family. With stampeding elephants! Raging typhoons! Runaway trains and unabashed slapstick!  What the audience didn’t see is the dedicated team of dressers; tables full of beards and mustaches, coordinated by Stage Manager Diana Gilman Maurer, and racks of costumes by Anthony Remer, that help turn 5 actors into over 40 characters. Some of the quick changes had actors leaving the stage only to return one line later as a new character with a new costume.


As MPOnStage begins auditions for their next production, City of Angels, we wish to thank everyone who donated their time and talents to making Mark Brown’s Around the World in 80 Days a show to remember.

See a video of audience reaction to opening night. >>

See Photos from Around the World in 80 Days. >>

 

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Auditions for City of Angels Announced

Maurer Productions OnStage is proud to announce open auditions for its upcoming musical production of City of Angels on January 23rd from 9AM to 5PM and January 24th from 12:30PM to 5PM. City of Angels is a musical comedy with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by David Zippel, and book by Larry Gelbart.

CITY OF ANGELS is the rarest of musical comedies; one that is not only loaded with music and written in the contemporary jazz idiom, but also filled with sidesplitting comedy. Set in the glamorous, seductive Hollywood of the 1940s, the world of film studios and flimsy negligees, the show chronicles the misadventures of Stine, a young novelist, attempting a screenplay for movie producer/director, Buddy Fidler. While Fidler professes to be a fan of Stine’s work: “I’ve read a synopsis of every book you’ve ever written,” he assures the author, his gargantuan ego forces Stine to make endless compromises in the script he’s writing. The script is an adaptation of one of Stine’s novels which features his Raymond Chandleresque hero, a private investigator named Stone. . Every movie scene that Stine writes is acted out onstage in the black and white film nior world. As the audience watchs Stein and Stone battle deception and their own inner demons. With music scored remenisint of a 1940's private eye film. It is a tale of decadence and homicide with a liberal sprinkling of femmes fatale.

This production will be presented at Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor campus of Mercer County Community College May 6 - 15. The show will require 18-24 actors, ALL roles are open. Most characters play duel roles. There will be some light choreography. The production will be directed by John M. Maurer, Musically Directed by Peter de Mets, Choreographed by Jane Coult. Stage Management by Beverly Kuo-Hamilton and Costumers by Anthony Remer.

To get more info and sign up to audition go here >>>

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Angel for a day

Artistic Director of MPO, John M. Maurer got to exercise his inner demons when he was asked to sub the role of Clarance Oddbody, AS2 in M&M Stage productions presentation of It's a Wonderful Life.

When, only a week before tech, a last minute schedule conflict was going to have the actor playing Clarence the angel miss two performances the director and producers had to find a understudy fast. It turned out they didn't have to go far.

"I was already working with the production by supplying background projections for the show," said John "They then came to me and asked if I could sub for Clarence for two performances. At this point I hadn't even seen a rehearsal yet but it they thought I could do it I would give it a try."

John was only able to see one run through and rehearse with the cast twice before stepping on stage in the iconic roll. And true to it's name, It's a Wonderful Life was a wonderful production enjoyed by all.

"I would like to thank M&M Stage Productions and Director Dan Spalutto for giving me the chance to step into Clarance's shoes for a day," John said.
"It was an all around fun experience. "

 

 

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The Diary of Anne Frank comes to the Kelsey Theatre

MPO Board member Judi Parrish, will be directing the Pennington Players’ production of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK in March.

The play, which tells the story of a 13-year old Jewish girl, her family and others in hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II. The winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, Critics Circle Award and many other honors.

THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK was adapted for the stage by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, and Wendy Kesselman, from the book "Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl," edited by Otto Frank, the lone survivor from among the eight people who shared their hiding place.

The production reunites Judi with Isabel Kinney, who played Helen Keller in the Pennington Players’ production of THE MIRACLE WORKER, in 2013. The production also features MPO alumni Alana Caraccio (Laughter on the 23rd Floor) and Matthew Cassidy (Lend Me A Tenor).

Dates and Times:
Fridays, March 11 & 18, 2016 at 8pm
Saturdays, March 12 & 19 at 8pm
Sundays, March 13 & 20 at 2pm

Tickets:
Adults, $18, Seniors, $16, Students/Children, $14

Tickets can be purchased online at: http:www.kelseyatmccc.org, or by calling the box
office at (609) 570-3333, or at the box office window, Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 12:00 pm.

Theater Info:
Kelsey Theatre
Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Road
West Windsor, NJ 08550

To order tickets click here >>>

 

 

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Alumni Happenings for January - March

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY at Kelsey Theatre

Join Laurie Hardy (Lucky Stiff, Dracula, Lend Me A Tenor) as Barbara, Sally Page (Spamalot, Shrek) as Ivy, Roman Sohor (Lend Me A Tenor) as Little Charlie and Kyla Donnelly as Karen in the PinnWorth production of August:Osage County.

"Well, if anyone were to make a movie about this little Weston family reunion we are having, it would have to star Meryl Streep as our dear mother and Julia Roberts as me. So, father has disappeared, and mother, with her prescription drugs and major mood swings, thinks it is a good idea to bring my two sisters and me back to our old Oklahoma homestead to share exactly what, I don’t know. Lies, unsettling secrets, repressed truths and scathing humor?  All I can say is our truths are unflinching and fiercely funny, and bring new meaning to 'dysfunctional family.'”
This one is definitely not recommended for children!  

Dates and Times:
Fridays, Jan. 8 & 15, 2016 at 8pm
Saturdays, Jan. 9 & 16 at 8pm
Sundays, Jan. 10 & 17 at 2pm

Tickets:
Adults, $18, Seniors, $16, Students/Children, $14

Tickets can be purchased online at: http:www.kelseyatmccc.org, or by calling the box
office at (609) 570-3333, or at the box office window Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 12:00 pm.

Theater Info:
Kelsey Theatre
Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Road
West Windsor, NJ 08550

For directions to the theater, visit http://www.mccc.edu/welcome_directions_wwcampus.shtml.

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ARSENIC AND OLD LACE at Kelsey Theatre

Join Matthew Cassidy (Lend Me A Tenor) as Dr Einstein and Stephanie Moon as Elaine Harper in the M&M production of ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, running January 22 through January 31, 2016, at Kelsey Theatre. 

A drama critic must deal with his eccentric family, including two sweet charming and innocent aunts who cheerfully poison elderly men with elderberry wine and populate their cellar with the remains of their socially and religiously "acceptable" roomers; the antics of their nephew who thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt; and the activities of the other nephew and his personal surgen.

Dates and Times:
Fridays, Jan. 22 & 29, 2016 at 8pm
Saturdays, Jan. 23 & 30 at 8pm
Sundays, Jan. 24 & 31 at 2pm

Tickets:
Adults, $18, Seniors, $16, Students/Children, $14

Tickets can be purchased online at: http:www.kelseyatmccc.org, or by calling the box
office at (609) 570-3333, or at the box office.

Theater Info:
Kelsey Theatre
Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Road
West Windsor, NJ 08550

For directions to the theater, visit http://www.mccc.edu/welcome_directions_wwcampus.shtml.

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ROOM SERVICE at Kelsey Theatre

Join MPO Alum Mark Violi (The Foreigner, A Few Good Men) in the Theatre To Go production of ROOM SERVICE running February 12 – 21, 2016, at Kelsey Theatre. 

A nimble-witted producer, living on credit with several actors in a Broadway hotel, is desperately in need of a good script. He finds one, and, by great good luck, he also finds an angel with $15,000. The play shows how, during a hectic few days, the producer plays hide-and-seek with the angel who wants to withdraw his financial support, manages to outwit creditors, and at the very last moments puts over his play in spite of the most ludicrous and unexpected obstacles.

Dates and Times:
Fridays, Feb. 12 & 19, 2016 at 8pm
Saturdays, Feb. 13 & 20 at 8pm
Sundays, Feb. 14 & 21 at 2pm

Tickets:
Adults, $18, Seniors, $16, Students/Children, $14

Tickets can be purchased online at: http:www.kelseyatmccc.org, or by calling the box
office at (609) 570-3333, or at the box office window Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 12:00 pm.

Theater Info:
Kelsey Theatre
Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Road
West Windsor, NJ 08550

For directions to the theater, visit http://www.mccc.edu/welcome_directions_wwcampus.shtml.

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MARY POPPINS at Kelsey Theatre

Join Ray Pental (Lucky Stiff, Singin' in the Rain)as the Bank Chairman and Elizabeth Rzasa (Man of LaMancha) as MARY POPPINS as they fly into Kelsey Theatre  in the Yardley Players’ production, opening April 22 and running through May 1, 2016, at Kelsey Theatre.

The jack-of-all trades, Bert, introduces us to England in 1910 and the troubled Banks family. Young Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones she has a profound effect upon. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything can happen if you let it."

Dates and Times:
Fridays, Apr. 22 & 29, 2016 at 8pm
Saturdays, Apr. 16, 23 & 30 at 2pm & 8pm
Sundays, Apr. 17, 24 & May 1 at 2pm

Tickets:
$20 for all

Tickets can be purchased online at: http:www.kelseyatmccc.org, or by calling the box
office at (609) 570-3333, or at the box office.

Theater Info:
Kelsey Theatre
Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Road
West Windsor, NJ 08550

For directions to the theater, visit http://www.mccc.edu/welcome_directions_wwcampus.shtml.

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Spelling Bee at Playhouse 22

Join Maria Aromando (Around the World in 80 Days, Lend Me A Tenor) as Marcy in the Playhouse 22 production of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. February 5-21, 2016. 

An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home life, the tweens spell their way through a series of [potentially made-up] words hoping to never hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.

Dates and Times:
February 5-21, 2016

Tickets:
click for info and tickets >>

Theater Info:
The East Brunswick Community Arts Center is located at 721 Cranbury Road (Middlesex County Route 535 South), East Brunswick.

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