Maurer Productions OnStage Presents 'Laughter on the 23rd Floor,' 1/27-2/5

Maurer Productions OnStage brings classic laughs to the stage with the Neil Simon comedy "Laughter on the 23^rd Floor" at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre.  Dates and times for this hilarious salute to the comedy writers of television's golden age are: Fridays, Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 at 2 p.m.  Kelsey Theatre is located on Mercer's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.  A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on Jan. 27.

"Laughter on the 23rd Floor" follows the writing, fighting, and all-round crazy antics that take place in the writers' room of a weekly variety show circa 1953. Based on Neil Simon's real-life experiences as a comedy writer for Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows" television program, "Laughter" focuses on the ongoing battles of fictional comedian Max Prince, star of "The Max Prince Show," with NBC executives who worry that his humor is too sophisticated for the average viewer. Each of the play's characters is based on one of the real-life kings of comedy who worked with Simon in the groundbreaking days of early television.

The  cast features Mark Swift, of Hamilton, as Lucas (modeled after Neil Simon); Michael Gonzalez, of Columbus, as Milt Fields (inspired by Carl Reiner); Joe Zedeny, of East Windsor, as Val Slotsky (inspired by Mel Tokin); Brett Molostky, of Camden, as Brian Doyle (inspired by Michael Stewart); Casey Woods, of Sayerville, as Kenny Franks (inspired by Larry Gelbart); Alana Caraccio, of Doylestown, Pa., as Carol Wyman (inspired by Selma Diamond); Joseph Perignat, of Furlong, Pa., as Max Prince (inspired by Sid Caesar and Jackie Gleason); Nicole Spadafino of Bethlehem, Pa., as Helen; and John Pinto of Yardley, Pa., as Ira (inspired by Mel Brooks).

John Maurer directs the production. He is co-founder of Maurer Productions OnStage with his wife, Diana.  Since 2004, the award-winning company has presented numerous productions at Kelsey Theatre including "Singin' in the Rain," "Man of La Mancha," "Brighton Beach Memoirs," and "Driving Miss Daisy."

Maurer says he is most at home with small comedies.  "I love to make people laugh and I love a good comedy. Doing an intimate comedy to me is like coming home."

Tickets are $16 for adults, $14 for senior citizens, and $12 for children and students.  Tickets may be purchased by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333 or online at www.kelseytheatre.net.  Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Free parking is available next to the theater. For a complete listing of adult and children's events for the remainder of the 2011-12 season, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure. 

More information about this production of "Laughter on the 23^rd Floor" can be found online at  www.mponstage.com.