M&M Stage Productions to Present GODSPELL at Kelsey Theatre, 7/12-21

The parables of Jesus Christ come to life when M&M Stage Productions presents the modern day musical "Godspell" at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. Performances are Fridays, July 12 and 19 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, July 13 and 20 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, July 14 and 21 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on July 12.

"Godspell" is based on the Gospel of Matthew, with music by Stephen Schwartz and book by John-Michael Tebelak. Featuring a sparkling score, the show is a series of parables interspersed with a variety of modern musical numbers set to lyrics from traditional hymns. Drawing from various theatrical traditions, such as clowning, pantomime, charades, acrobatics and vaudeville, stories from the Bible come to life with a message of kindness, tolerance and love.

Starting out as a college project performed by students at Carnegie Mellon University in 1970, "Godspell" was rescored for an off-Broadway production in 1971 and became a long-running success, with over 2,000 performances. Several cast albums have been released over the years and one of its songs, "Day by Day," reached #13 on the Billboard pop singles chart in 1972. The 1973 film version of this musical starred Victor Garber, and the show was most recently revived on Broadway in 2011.

The show stars Jonathan Martin of East Windsor as Jesus and J. Scott of Allentown as Judas. The cast also features Wesley Cappiello of Hamilton, Frankie Confalone of Bordentown, Chelsea Gonzalez of Hamilton, Kristen Kane of Plainsboro, Molly Karlin of Plainsboro, Sydney Kobil of Hopewell, Zach Latino of Moorestown, Taylor Lloyd of Hamilton, Trevor Napelka of Hillsborough, Rachel Sherman of Belle Meade, Tara Wagner of Hamilton, and Dont'e Wilder of Ewing.

The show is directed by Mike Steele, with lighting by Judi Parrish, sound by Mike Almstedt, choreography by Laura Murey-Ghaffoor, and costume design by Louisa Murey.

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 order online at www.kelseytheatre.net. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theater.

Kelsey Theatre's summer schedule of shows continues with Reock and Roll performing Beatles' "White Album," July 27-28; "Mary Poppins" Movie Sing-a-long, Aug. 2-4; and the Third Annual Kelsey Theatre Awards Ceremony on Aug. 10. Discount packages are available. For more information, call (609) 570-3333, or visit www.kelseytheatre.net/summer13.