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MCCC Theatre and Dance Students Present “Cabaret” Musical at Kelsey Theatre

By Candace Zafirellis
Step into the Kit Kat Klub and hear the music play as Mercer County Community College’s Theatre and Dance Program and Entertainment Technology students present the Tony Award-winning musical “Cabaret” at MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre.  Dates and times are Fridays, April 5 and 12 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, April 6 and 13 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, April 7 and 14 at 2 p.m. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on April 5.
Set in 1931 Berlin, the musical captures the essence of a society on the brink of massive change in Nazi Germany.  This upheaval is mirrored in the intertwined lives of the characters – denizens of a seedy nightclub and a nearby boarding house – all overseen by the nightclub’s creepy master of ceremonies.
With music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, this 1966 Broadway production became a hit that spawned the 1972 film starring Liza Minnelli.  The show’s upbeat music reflects leftover Roaring ‘20s optimism, while the lyrics reveal the cynicism, decadence and moral ambivalence that existed when the Nazis were rising to power.
Cast members include Megan Sherow of Clarksburg as the emcee; Danielle Grosso of Hamilton as Sally Bowles; Parker Harris of Lawrenceville as Clifford "Cliff" Bradshaw; Sari Ruskin of Princeton as Fräulein Schneider; John Shanken-Kaye of Huntington Valley, PA, as Herr Schultz; Jonathan V. Polanco of Hamilton as Ernst Ludwig; Sally Page of Princeton as Fräulein Kost; Joe Schachter of East Windsor as Max; Nicole Erkoboni of Lawrenceville as Rosie; Dan Johnson of Ewing as Bobby; Bridget Hughes of Jackson as LuLu; Maria Laurenti of Chesterfield as Frenchie; Dominique Shaw of Hamilton as Texas; Melissa Kettner of Bordentown as Fritzie; Mariah King of Trenton as Helga; Darranie Gibson of Trenton as Hans; Jon Cintron of Trenton as Victor; and Adiin Clemons of Trenton as Herman.                             
Ensemble cast members include Nick Andrejco of Hamilton, Jenna Hutchings of Burlington, Elizabeth Koenig of Yardley, PA, and Mike Miele of Montgomery.
The show is directed by Lou Stalsworth, with stage management by Jill Donchak, choreography by MCCC Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance Jody Person, set and costume design by Kelsey Theatre Technical Coordinator Kate Pinner, and lighting and sound design by MCCC Associate Professor of Communication Robert Terrano and his Entertainment Technology students.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $14 for students and children.  For tickets, call the Kelsey Theatre Box Office at (609) 570-3333, or visit www.kelseytheatre.net.  Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theater.