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Monday, July 17, 2017

QUINTESSENTIAL BACKSTAGE MUSICAL COMES TO MCCC’S KELSEY THEATRE THROUGH JULY 23

42nd_Street_342ND STREET

WHEN: Fridays, July 14 and 21 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, July 15 and 22 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, July 16 and 23 at 2 p.m.
WHERE:
Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC’s) Kelsey Theatre, on the college’s West Windsor Campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road.
TICKETS: $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $16 students and children.
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, with free parking available next to the theater.

42nd_Street_1The entertainment quotient doesn’t get higher than in this show that combines crowd-pleasing tap dances, popular musical theater songs, and show-stopping ensemble production numbers. Peggy Sawyer, a small town girl with big time talent, arrives in New York with hopes to be on Broadway and lands a spot in the chorus line of a new musical, “Pretty Lady.” When lead actress Dorothy Brock twists her ankle right before opening night, Peggy is picked to take her place. Says "Pretty Lady" director Julian Marsh, “You're going out there a youngster, but you've got to come back a star!" Delightfully corny, with romance and hilarious wisecracks throughout, “42nd Street” is a part of musical theater history that never gets old. (Above: Haley Schmalbach of Palmyra as newcomer Peggy Sawyer and Elio Lleo of Ewing  as director Julian Marsh.)

The musical score includes some of the greats: “We’re In The Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “Shuffle Off To Buffalo,” “Dames,” “I Only Have Eyes For You” and of course “42nd Street.”

42nd_Street_2The cast stars Michael Marrero of Hamilton as Billy Lawlor; Haley Schmalbach of Palmyra as Peggy Sawyer; Elio Lleo of Ewing as Julian Marsh; Jen Gursky of Lebanon as Dorothy Brock; Carolyn Anzuini of Bordentown as Maggie Jones; Matthew Cassidy Morrisville, Pa., as Bert Barry; Tara Wagner of Hamilton as Ann Reilly; Fred Gropper of Yardley, Pa., as Pat Denning; Ron SanGiovanni of Burlington as Abner Dillon; Shan Williams II of Trenton as Andy Lee; Sarah Webster of Morrisville, Pa., as Phyllis Dale; Erin Wurtz of Levittown, Pa., as Lorraine Flemming; Chris Schmalbach of Palmyra as Mac; and Joe Stockette of Langhorne, Pa., as Oscar. (Left: Wow...a dime! From left, Sarah Webster of Morrisville, Pa., as Phyllis, Erin Wurtz of Levittown, Pa., as Lorraine, Tara Wagner of Hamilton as Ann, and Haley Schmalbach of Palmyra as Peggy.)

The ensemble features Kathryn Aylesworth of Cherry Hill, Robbie Angarone of Hamilton Square, Lexi Baldachino of Millstone Township, Zachary Benedetti of Ewing, MaryRose Brendel of Cranbury, Reise Bridgers of Hamilton, Sean Conway of Hamilton, Nicholas Eldridge of Hamilton, Maddie Keelan of Hamilton, Nick Kianka of Hamilton, Matt Krauss of Yardley, Pa., Marley Madding of New Hope, Pa., Marina McLaughlin of Columbus, Elizabeth Miller of Yardley, Pa., Isabella Papaccio of Hamilton, Christina Pullen of New Egypt, Allison Reed of Yardville, Harrison Smith of Cherry Hill, Danielle Standifer of Hamilton, Joseph Wojtkowski of Manalapan, Julianna Zannikos of Doylestown, Pa., and Sam Zdanowicz of Hamilton.

The production team includes Producers Mike Almstedt and Mike DiIorio; Director Mike DiIorio; Musical Director Pam Sharples; Choreographer Laura Ghaffor, Lighting Director Chris Ghaffor, Sound Design Eric Collins and Costumer Louisa Murey.

Top: She’s a star! Front row, from left are Matt Krauss of Yardley, Pa., Haley Schmalbach (Peggy Sawyer) of Palmyra, Nick Kianka of Hamilton; back row: Reise Bridgers of Hamilton, Harrison Smith of Cherry Hill, and Sam Zdanowicz of Hamilton. Photos by John Maurer