MCCC Students to Perform Comedy, Dance and Drama 11/20-21

Comedy, drama and dance are all on the upcoming performance schedule for Theatre and Dance students at Mercer County Community College. In their first production of the fall semester, students will perform Howard Korder's Pulitzer Prize-nominated play, "Boys' Life." This heterosexual coming-of-age black comedy will be performed Friday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 20 at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. at MCCC's Studio Theatre, located next to Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

First performed in 1988, "Boys' Life" focuses on the lives of three 20-something men - at an age when "lives" and "sex lives" are virtually the same. The show plays out in a series of scenes following Jack, Don and Phil, who are either on the prowl or analyzing and justifying their adventures. The MCCC production is directed by Jeremy Robinson.

Notes Theatre Program Coordinator Jody Person, who is producing the show, the story is still relevant today in its depiction of young people at the cusp of adulthood. "We see characters who are attempting to grow up, while, at the same time, refusing to grow up. Their combination of frustration and anticipation rings true. There is much for young people and adults to relate to in this play."

The cast includes Richelle Bodensiek of Skillman as Girl; Lauren Cohn of Lawrenceville as Maggie; Rob Henry of Hopewell as Don/Man; Tiesha Mack of Trenton as Lisa; Din Mayfiel, originally of Knoxville, TN as Don/Man; Jackie Nam Nguyen of Jersey City as Phil; Gabrielle Sabo of Trenton as Karen/Carla; Justin Schilling of Jackson as Jack. Abigail Barrett of Lawrenceville is the stage manager.

During the first weekend in December, both drama and dance take center stage. A Student Dance Concert takes place Friday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. Four students will perform eight original works under the direction of instructor Janell Byrne.

Later on Dec. 4, students will perform "The Storm" at 8 p.m., with a second performance on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. This new play by Jody Person is interactive and improvisational, and will explore parent-child relationships and themes of loss as a prelude to the student production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" in the spring.

Tickets for all three events are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for students and children. Tickets may be purchased by calling MCCC's Kelsey Theatre Box Office at 609-570-3333 or by ordering online at www.kelseytheatre.net.

 

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