By Wendy Humphrey
West Windsor, N.J. – With trademark braids flying, “Pippi Longstocking” will light up the stage at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre in February. American Family Theater presents the tales of lovable Pippi in a musical adaptation on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 2 and 4 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college’s West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.
With her remarkable moniker Pippilotta Delicatessa Windsowshade Macrelmint Ephraim’s Daughter Longstocking, this is one unique nine-year-old! Not only is she bold and sassy, she can shoot a revolver and sail the Seven Seas. The spunky redhead is the creation of Swedish author Astrid Lindgren, who, in 1945, created her as a get-well story for her then nine-year-old daughter, who was home sick from school.
Breaking all conventions of the time about how children, particularly girls, should behave, Lindgren concocted a fearless heroine, one with superhuman strength who could carry a horse and out lift the strongest man in the world. Living with her monkey, Mr. Nilsson, in a house she calls Villa Villekulla, Pippi and new friend Annika embark on adventures full of meaning for audiences of all ages.
Based in Philadelphia, American Family Theater is one of the nation’s premier producers of musicals for families and young audiences, performing in over 300 venues each year. AFT captures the spirit of timeless classics and the magic of live theater in its full-scale, award-winning productions.
Tickets are $8 for students and children and $10 for adults. Free parking is available next to the theater. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.kelseytheatre.net/" href="http://www.kelseytheatre.net/">www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible. For a complete listing of adult and children’s events, visit the Kelsey website.
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