(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Santa will be arriving a little early this year when the holiday classic Twas the Night Before Christmas comes to life on the stage of Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC) Kelsey Theatre, December 8-10, 2023. The excitement and wonder of the long-awaited midnight visit by Santa Claus, made famous in Clement Moore’s beloved poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas,” is brought to life in a fun and enchanting musical perfect for even the entire family.

The naughty and nice alike are welcome for Santa’s annual visit, which features singing reindeer, sugar plums, and a mouse that will definitely be stirring! Join the Moore family, neighbors, and townspeople, circa 1822, as they wait and watch for the most welcome and highly-anticipated midnight visitor of the year.

In addition, Kelsey Theatre is proud to be returning as a partner with the U.S. Marine Corps for the annual “Toys for Tots” campaign. During all five performances of “Twas,” as well as other performances at Kelsey during the holiday season, patrons can add joy to a child’s holiday by donating a new, unwrapped toy in the Kelsey Theatre lobby.

Show times are Friday, December 8 at 7:00pm and Saturday, December 9 and Sunday, December 10 at 1:00pm & 4:00pm. Children are invited to have their picture taken with Santa after the show. Kelsey Theatre is located on MCCC’s West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

Tickets for “Twas” are $16 for adults, and $14 for children/students and seniors. They may be purchased online at kelseytheatre.org or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at (609) 570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theater. For more information or to receive a printed copy of the brochure, call the box office or visit the theater website.

The ensemble cast includes Kris Kringle of The North Pole as Santa Claus; Ken Ambs of Newtown, Pa., as Clement Moore; Alexandra Bianculli of Ewing, N.J., as Miss Bentley; Ezra Cayton-Hodges of Princeton, N.J., as Christopher Moore; Neve Coen of West Windsor, N.J., as Anna Bentley; Cathay Coryat of Cream Ridge, N.J., as Mrs. McGillicutty; Hope Ghaffor of Hamilton, N.J., as Sally Marshall; Xavier Knowles of Trenton, N.J., as Jeremiah Marshall; Summer Ludian of Yardville, N.J. as Emma Bentley; Cameron Miller of Trenton, N.J., as Mr. Marshall; Chandler Miller of Trenton, N.J., as Mrs. Bentley; Frankie Pendleton of North Hanover, N.J. as Victor Bentley; Audrey Petry-Reitknecht of Princeton, N.J., as Charity Moore; Maggie Poppell of Hamilton, N.J., as Julianna Marshall; Suzanne Smith of Fallsington, Pa., as Mrs. Marshall; Celia Sparandera of Robbinsville, N.J. as Sarah McGuillicutty; Campbell Tormey of Ewing, N.J., as Margaret Moore; Justin Viola, of Robbinsville, N.J., as Johnny Bentley; Jennifer Wahlberg of Hamilton, N.J., as Miss McGuillicutty; Diane Wargo of Ewing, N.J., as Eliza Moore/Diana Moore; and Jordana Krieger of East Windsor, N.J., Aaron Mason of Lawrenceville, N.J., and Brielle Rowell of Trenton, N.J., as Whittleby Family members.

The production team includes director Diane Wargo and music director Pat Masterson, of Lambertville, N.J. Choreographer is Chelsea Wargo of Ewing, N.J., and Jennifer Boutrous of Lawrenceville, N.J., is stage manager, with Shannon Barlow of Ewing, N.J., serving as assistant stage manager. Kitty Getlik and Nick Mastalesz, both of Hamilton, N.J., provide lighting and sound, respectively. John Maurer of Ewing, N.J., is the set designer, with Mike Almstedt of Hamilton providing set maintenance, and Louisa Murey of Hamilton is the costumer.