Students of Crossroads North will perform the musical "Anything Goes" for senior citizens on Feb. 1.
By: Joseph Harvie
Township seniors will have a chance to see a student production of a Broadway classic as well as meet and greet the stars of the play, when the Students of Crossroads North host "A Day With the Characters" on Feb. 1.
Seniors citizens have until Jan. 30 to pick up their free tickets for the event, during which the they will get an advance viewing of the school’s musical, the Broadway classic, "Anything Goes."
"Anything Goes" is the fictional story of Billy Crocker, who travels, as a stowaway, on a boat headed to Westhampton, England, from New York City, in an attempt to stop his former love, Hope Harcourt, from marrying the boring and snobbish Sir Evelyn Oakleigh.
Billy gets aboard the ship by taking the passport and ticket from a man disguised as a clergyman, the Rev. Dr. Moon. Dr. Moon is really a man known to police as Public Enemy Number 13.
The play includes Broadway standards "All Through the Night," "I Get a Kick Out of You," and the title track, "Anything Goes."
Seniors can sign up for the event at the township Senior Center located on Route 522 in the municipal complex.
John Ketterer, supervisor of music at Crossroads North and South middle schools, said he is always looking to involve the senior community.
"We don’t have a lot of programs where we get together with the seniors," Mr. Ketterer said. "Our theater and music programs are something we are very proud of throughout the district, and we love that we are going to have an opportunity to bring the seniors in to see the kids in action."
The play, first performed in 1934, contains music written by composer, songwriter Cole Porter. Mr. Ketterer said he hopes the play will bring back childhood memories.
"It was part of their heyday," Mr. Ketterer said. "The play has songs that they probably heard in their youth. It is very exciting that they can directly associate with the play."
The show will begin at 10 a.m. Feb. 1 at Crossroads North and is free to any South Brunswick senior citizen who registers at the Senior Center by Jan. 30. Transportation will be provided for the event, with the buses leaving the Senior Center at 9:30 a.m., school’s spokeswoman, Becky Leonard said.
Ms. Leonard said seniors wishing to drive themselves to the event should park at Villa Liberty on Georges Road, located across the street from the school. She said a crossing guard would be provided.
After the show the seniors will be taken back to the Senior Center where they will have a chance to meet the cast of the show at a special lunch, Ms. Leonard said.
At the luncheon pictures can be taken with cast members and the seniors will have the chance to win door prizes that include, autographed posters from the cast; CDs of the "Anything Goes!" soundtrack; dinner and show tickets for the opening night, March 2, performance of Crossroad’s South’s musical "How to Succeed in Business Without Trying;" and tickets to opening night of South Brunswick High School’s Spring Musical set for May 11.
To register for the event seniors can visit the Senior Center or contact Susan Trilli at, (732) 329-4000, Ext. 7675 by Jan. 20.