The Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College, West Windsor, and the Pennington Players will kick off the New Year with the popular, fun and risqué British comedy “Calendar Girls” — a true story based on the lives of 11 Women’s Institute ladies who pose nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund.
Dates and show times are Jan. 3 at 8 p.m.; Jan. 4 and Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Jan. 5 and Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is on the college’s West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. The community is invited to an opening night reception with the cast and crew on Jan. 3.
“Calendar Girls” first opened at England’s Chichester Festival Theatre and thereafter embarked on a national tour, according to a press release. Since that time it has become the fastest selling play in British theater history.
The story of “Calendar Girls” begins when John, who shortly after being diagnosed with lymphoma, passes away. His wife Annie and her friends resolve to create a “nudie” calendar to raise money to buy a settee for the hospital waiting room. To everyone’s surprise, the calendar attracts a torrent of international attention and the group’s new-found fame threatens a close friendship.
“ ‘Calendar Girls,’ with a script adaptation by Tim Firth, who also co-wrote the movie, achieves exactly what it sets out to do. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry and it leaves you feeling better about life than you did when you entered the theater,” according to the British daily newspaper, The Telegraph.
“Calendar Girls” is directed by Susan Galli and features Suzanne Ardite of New Hope, Pa., Melanie Parsons of Pennington, Erin Leder of Bordentown, Susan Schwirck of Monroe Township, Kellie Cooper of Philadelphia, Laurie Hardy of Hamilton Township, Meg Waldowski of Yardley, Pa., Jim Morris of Hamilton Township, Daniel Joseph of Hamilton Township, Christopher Schmalbach of Palmyra, Judi Parrish of West Trenton, Samantha Otto of Langhorne, Pa., Charles Acosta of Langhorne, Pa., Cathy Coryat of Cream Ridge, and Diana Maurer of Ewing.
In keeping with the spirit of the true story that inspired the production, merchandise sold during the performances will benefit Capital Health Cancer Center, according to the press release.
In addition, the Pennington Players will present a special fundraising performance for the Cancer Center on Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. which includes a reception with appetizers and a silent auction from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The $25 ticket price includes the reception and show, with all proceeds to benefit the Cancer Center. More details are available at www.calendargirlsbenefit.com
Tickets to “Calendar Girls” are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and students and may be purchased online or by calling 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theater. “Calendar Girls” contains adult language and partial nudity and may not be appropriate for all audience members, according to the press release.