TITANIC the Musical Comes to Kelsey Theatre

It's 1912, and the world's most famous ocean liner, the RMS Titanic, is ready to set sail at Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre. Playful Theatre Productions proudly presents "Titanic," the Tony Award-winning musical about the maiden - and only voyage - of the colossal ship that ends in tragedy at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Dates and show times for this Kelsey special event are: Fridays, April 20 and 27 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, April 21 and 28 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, April 22 and 29 at 2 p.m.

Kelsey Theatre is located on MCCC's West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on April 20.

The haunting tale of Titanic's maiden, and only, voyage has been transformed into a riveting, unforgettable musical. Compelling stories of passengers from first class to steerage add to the drama as the ship forges ahead towards it fateful encounter with an iceberg. It's a large-scale show starring a large-scale cast - but the biggest star of all is the great ship itself.

The musical, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and a book by Peter Stone, opened on Broadway in 1997. It swept that year's Tony Awards, winning all five categories in which it was nominated, including Best Musical and Best Musical Score.

The cast stars Michael Crea of Hamilton as Joseph Bruce Ismay, Chairman of the White Star Line; Elio Lleo of Ewing as Captain Edward John Smith; and Patrick O'Leary of Southampton, Pa., as Thomas Andrews, Jr., architect for Harland & Wolff.

First class passengers include: Rachel Benoit of Wrightstown; Jessica Braynor of Lawrenceville; Linda Joan Brown of Newtown, Pa.; Grace Caselli of Fallsington, Pa.; Chase Corallo of Hamilton; Justin Derry of Langhorne, Pa.; Crystal Huau of Hightstown; Lea Jeffers of Rocky Hill; Kristin Keenan of Columbus; Jack May of Clarksburg; Billy Morris of Milltown; Alan Naidoff of Princeton; Emily O'Sullivan of Hamilton; Peter Sauer of Yardley, Pa.; Jeff Scharf of Yardley, Pa.; and William Walters of Columbus.

Second class passengers are: Julie Burke of Hamilton; Jeff Dworkin of Langhorne, Pa.; Layla Gojaniuk of Hamilton; Jessica Marcinkowski of Columbus; Gina Migliaccio of Hamilton; Aidan Stallworth-Glitz of Ewing; Joseph Stockette of Langhorne, Pa.; Sigan-Sulpum Wilson of Ramsey; and Kaitlyn Young, of Robbinsville.

Third class passengers include: Sydney Broitman of Newtown, Pa.; Nick Buonvicino of Green Brook; Shannen Doyle of Somerset; Elizabeth Ferrara of Princeton; Makenna Katz of West Windsor; Diana Puertas of Somerville; Hannah Ressler of Morrisville, Pa.; Julia Salatti of Hanover, Md.; Mya Rose Tozzi of Columbus; and Neeks Wagner of Trenton.

Featured as Titanic's crew members are: Evan Bilinski of Franklin Park; Teddy Brendel of Cranbury; Brian Buechele; Alpha Camara of Morrisville, Pa.; C.J. Carter of Somerset; Jessica Chiara of Roebling; Justin Giachetti of Robbinsville; Zach Holzberg of Yardley, Pa.; Shawn MacIntyre of East Windsor; Emily O'Sullivan of Hamilton; Francois Suhr of Hightstown; Nam Tran of Ewing; and David Mark Walter of Fieldsboro.

The production staff includes Producers Suzanne Smith and Hilary Leboff, Director Frank Ferrara, Music Director Shannon Ferrara, Music Director/Pianist Mike Gilch, Choreographer Nicole Machin, Set Designer Brian Schendlinger, Costumer Michelle Rittmann, Lighting Designer Judi Parrish, Sound Designer Evan Paine, and Stage Managers Nancy Russell and Ruth Kresge.

Tickets are $20 for all. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theater. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.

Photo Caption: Clockwise, from top left: Taking their place in history are Alan Naidoff as Col. John Astor IV, Billy Morris as George Widener, Jack May as Harry Elkins Widener, Kristen Keenan as Rosalie Strauss, Peter Sauer as Isador Strauss, Rachel Benoit as Eleanor Widener, and Emily O'Sullivan as Madeleine Astor. Playful Theatre Productions presents "Titanic The Musical" at MCCC's Kelsey Theatre April 20-29. Tickets are available by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333 or online at www.kelseytheatre.net.

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