Mercer County Performing Arts High School features 13 students from West Windsor and Plainsboro in “Fascinating Rhythms: The Music and Times of George Gershwin” on Friday and Saturday, March 18 and 19, at 7 p.m., at Kelsey Theater. The production,“an original pastiche of songs, dances, and scenes from the pen of an American treasure,” is an assemblage of all three performing arts departments – drama, dance, and vocal music. Admission is free but donations are welcome. Tickets will be distributed at the door. For information call 609-586-3550.
Music performed includes Gershwin’s Preludes for Piano with original choreography by students from the dance department and scenes from “Of Thee I Sing,” performed by acting students. Vocal students present “Embraceable You,” “Summertime,” and “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off.”
Drama I features Clayton DeSouza, Lindsey Howard, Tiffany Ross, and Sara Smith of West Windsor, and Konrad Johnson of Plainsboro.
Drama II includes Alessandra Ameen, Reva Grover, and Elizabeth Wendorf, all of West Windsor, and Gina Negm of Plainsboro. Vocal Music I features Jillian Steinhauer of West Windsor. Vocal Music II includes Edith-Ann Casalino of West Windsor and Ellie Braverman and Nickeita Oliver of Plainsboro.
The school welcomes junior and senior high school students to study performing arts in an afternoon program while studying academics at their own public high school in the morning. The application process includes recommendations and an audition. Under the auspices of Mercer County Technical Schools, the program is on the Mercer County College campus in West Windsor.
Continued ‘Fame’
One of the success stories of the Performing Arts High School is Ben Nemser of West Windsor. A graduate of High School North, Class of 2004, he is a theater major at Marymount Manhattan College. Known in the area as a magician, he continues to commute back to West Windsor and Plainsboro for birthday party magic shows. (The News, March 7, 2003).
Nemser is performing in a magic show on Thursday, March 24, 8 p.m., at the Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, New York City. “The Aces Of Magic 2” is being produced by Patrick Terry and will feature performances by 10 magicians. The event, hosted by Todd Robbins, includes celebrity performances by Throwdini and David Oliver. Tickets are $10. For information or tickets, call Patrick Terry at 646-472-4579.
— Lynn Miller
