One of George Bernard Shaw’s most enduring comedies comes to the stage at Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre when Shakespeare 70 presents “Arms and the Man” from Jan. 16–25 on the college’s West Windsor campus.
The play centers on a fugitive soldier who seeks refuge with a young woman, setting off a chain of unexpected comic events that challenge her romantic ideals and views on war. Shaw’s early work blends sharp wit with commentary on love, heroism and human nature — with an infamous fondness for chocolate.
The first Broadway production of “Arms and the Man” opened in 1894 and was followed by six revivals. Writer George Orwell once called it “probably the wittiest (Shaw) ever wrote, the most flawless technically.”
The cast includes Maggie Gronenthal and Ray Fallon of Lawrence; Tristan Takacs of Hamilton; Laura McWater and Katherine Kahrs of Lambertville; Frank Ferrara of West Windsor; and Dia O’Carroll of East Windsor.
The production is directed by Janet Quartarone of Flemington. Stage managers are Justine DeNicola of Wayne and Kelly Weeden of Cookstown, with Cara Pergament of Robbinsville serving as assistant stage manager. Producers are Jake Burbage of Philadelphia and Hannah Rapaport-Stein of West Windsor. Dale Simon of Flemington is technical director, with lighting design by Curt Foxworth of Lawrence and sound design by Chris Loos of Lawrence.
Performances are scheduled for Fridays, Jan. 16 and Jan. 23, and Saturday, Jan. 17, at 8 p.m., with matinees Saturday, Jan. 24, and Sundays, Jan. 18 and Jan. 25, at 2 p.m. All performances take place at the Kelsey Theatre, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road.
Tickets are $24 for adults and $22 for seniors and students and may be purchased online at kelseytheatre.org or by calling the Kelsey Theatre Box Office at (609) 570-3333, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon.
The Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible and offers free parking adjacent to the venue. For a complete listing of adult and children’s events, visit the Kelsey Theatre website or contact the box office for a brochure.
