Devilishly good: Garden State history and lore take center stage

LIFESTYLE

By: Ashley Caudill
   Some say it has wings and a forked tail. Others claim it is a bird-like creature with a horse’s head. Some Pinelands residents claim their chickens were stolen and hoof prints were left in their yard. Some stories tell of Mrs. Leeds of Estelville, upon discovering she was pregnant with her 13th child, shouted "I hope it’s a devil" and got her wish.
   Though the origin and existence of the devil may be impossible to prove, "Jenny and the Jersey Devil," written by Allentown resident Lou Stalsworth, uncovers other mysteries of New Jersey history with the help of the state’s famous mythical character — the New Jersey Devil.
   Mr. Stalsworth, a playwright who studied at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross school, wanted to create a piece that would incorporate his family.
   "Theater is what this house is all about," said Mr. Stalsworth when describing his household. The playwright’s family also includes his wife, whom he met at Mason Gross where she studied theater design, sets and costumes, and his daughter Jordan, an actor and a junior at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
   Mr. Stalsworth noted that part of his goal in writing "Jenny and the Jersey Devil" (first performed in 1999) was to create a piece in which his daughter could perform. He was able to do so by writing the character of Jenny.
   Partly based on the legend of Faust, "Jenny and the Jersey Devil," tells the story of a sixth-grade girl who is taking a history exam that she is about to fail. The New Jersey Devil appears and — in exchange for a passing grade — Jenny makes a deal with him. While Jenny is at home with Rolly, a cousin who is baby-sitting her, the Jersey Devil comes to collect on the deal. Jenny has to answer a series of questions on New Jersey history and with every question she fails to correctly answer, she grows a tail, horn, or wings — making the transition into the Jersey Devil.
   Mr. Stalsworth, who grew up in New Jersey, wanted to show the "diversity and absolute scope" of the state’s history through the play. Topics included in "Jenny and the Jersey Devil" are the American Revolution, the country’s founding fathers, the underground railroad, Washington crossing the Delaware, Thomas Edison, the Pinelands and New Jersey geography.
   "It’s more than just the New Jersey Turnpike," he said of the state that inspired his play.
   The cast consists of three actors who fill the roles of Jenny, the New Jersey Devil and Cousin Rolly who plays the dual role of Jenny’s teacher, Miss Fussbudget, described by Mr. Stalsworth as "overstuffed, overbearing, everything you don’t want a teacher to be."
   This production of "Jenny and the Jersey Devil" stars Kristen Robinson of West Windsor as Jenny, Reba Holley of Pennington as the Jersey Devil, and Keenan Westcott of Hamilton, who pulls double duty as Rolly and Miss Fussbudget.
   "I cast the show, blocked it, then excused myself from the rehearsals," said Mr. Stalsworth, who has been auditioning and casting roles for a production of "The Miracle Worker."
   M. Kitty Getlick stepped in as the co-director for the production. Ms. Getlick described Mr. Stalsworth as very talented and said that this show is "gets across lots of New Jersey history in an entertaining and interesting way."
   "Teachers really like it," said Mr. Stalsworth of the history-filled play and described the show as entertaining and educational. "It’s just a hoot to hear the kids have fun."

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   The show will be performed for the public Saturday, Jan. 15 at 2 and 4 p.m. at the Kelsey Theatre on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor campus at 1200 Old Trenton Road.
   Tickets for "Jenny and the Jersey Devil" are $8 and discounted rates are available for school groups. Tickets may be purchased on-line by visiting Kelsey’s Web site, www.kelseyatmccc.org; by mail with checks made payable to MCCC/Kelsey Theatre, P.O. Box B, Trenton, NJ 08690; by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 584-9444 or 586-4800, ext. 3566; or in person during Box Office hours.