If British farce is your cup of tea, there is no livelier or funnier show than Noises Off. Taking a fond look at the folly of theater folk, this hilarious play comes to Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre in January.
Presented by Maurer Production OnStage, dates and show times are: Fridays, Jan. 11 and 18 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, Jan. 12 and 19 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, Jan. 13 and 20 at 2 p.m.
Written by Michael Frayn, Noises Off is the ultimate British stage comedy. This play-within-a-play depicts a touring theater troupe’s production of “Nothing On” at three points in time: first a dress rehearsal (Act I), then an early performance (Act II), and finally a performance at the tail end of a debilitating run (Act III).
Cast members maintain a dizzying pace — running in all directions, going up and down stairways, and charging in and out of doorways. As personal jealousies, temper tantrums and general bad behavior escalates, there is a gradual realization that even if the show must go on, it will not be pretty.
The cast features Mark Applegate as Frederick Fellows; Allison DeKorte as Poppy Norton-Taylor; Jackie Galli as Brooke Ashton; Laurie Hardy of Hamilton as Dotty Otley; Nick Kianka of Hamilton as Timothy Allgood; Erin Leder of Bordentown as Belinda Blair; Kevin Palardy as Garry Lejeune; Tim Rerucha of Hamilton as Lloyd Dallas; and Peter Sauer as Selsdon Mowbray.
The show is directed by John M. Maurer and co-produced by John M. Maurer and Diana Gilman Maurer.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors, and $14 for students/children. They may be purchased online or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at (609) 570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is located on MCCC’s West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. The theater is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theater.
