Kelsey Theater’s annual show celebrates and recognizes shows and performances from the past season with performances from the five shows nominated for outstanding production of a musical, skits, and awards. The West Windsor theater has 12 resident community and semi-professional theater companies producing shows each year. Audience members were invited to vote for their favorites, and round two voting continues through Sunday, August 10, at thekelseyawards.wordpress.com. The event takes place on Saturday, August 16.
Kyrus Westcott, a former Plainsboro resident, is the show’s producer, director, and head writer of the Tony-inspired evening. The voting season and awards began online in 2009 and 2010, and evolved into a live show in 2011.
“It’s become an annual event that features two rounds of voting by more than 3,000 people, as well as a great turnout at the ceremony,” he says. “A wonderful production staff helps pull off this huge event.”
Westcott is assisted by Mark Applegate, the co-producer and writer, assistant director Caila Cabrera, technical designer Judi Parrish, set designer Bryan Schendlinger, photographer Rob Gougher, and others. The show is hosted by actresses Jaimie McMillin, Maria Aromando, and Kim Cupo — all of whom have had major roles in shows at Kelsey in the past three years.
“It’s just like the Tony Awards, except in our own backyard,” says Westcott. “It’s amazing how much talent is on display at Kelsey Theater each year. This is our chance to recognize these people and relive some of the very best moments.”
Winners in a variety of categories will be announced during the ceremony. Actors from the five shows nominated for outstanding production of a musical will perform this year. The shows include “Les Miserables” (Playful Theater Productions); “Big River” (Pennington Players); “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (PinnWorth Productions); “Spamalot”; and “Shrek: The Musical” (Maurer Productions OnStage).
The cast of “13: The Musical,” which was presented by Pennington Players in 2011, will present a special reunion performance; a reunion performance of another show is also planned but is being kept secret until the ceremony.
Special cameos by Kelsey Theater regulars and comedic routines will also be featured, as well as numbers by the Kelsey Theater Dance Squad, now in its fourth year of dancing at the ceremony. Choreographed by Rachel Tovar, the dance team includes Shannon Flanagan, Lexi Schlaifer, Cindy George, Bridget Carmichael, and Amy Oliver.
Awards Night, Kelsey Theater, Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Saturday, August 16, 8 p.m. $16. 609-570-3333. thekelseyawards.wordpress.com.
