New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Theater to Go presents "A Lovesong for Miss Lydia"

originally published: 02/01/2024

Kyle Moore (Mahlon), Todd Evans (Ostell), Karen Hilton (Sarah), and Mimi B. Francis (Miss Lydia) star in "A Lovesong for Miss Lydia"

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- New Jersey playwrights will continue to take their place in the spotlight when Theater to Go presents "A Lovesong for Miss Lydia," written by the late Don Evans of Trenton, at Mercer County Community College's (MCCC) Kelsey Theatre, February 9-11, 2024.

Theater to Go continues its salute to playwrights from The Garden State with Evans’ story of Lydia Frazier, an elderly widow and a pillar of her church, who is living out her life with quiet dignity in her modest home. Things change when Lydia decides to take in a boarder, the charming and apparently unscrupulous Mahlon, who loses no time in working his wiles on his trusting, vulnerable landlady, despite the cautious warnings of her well-meaning friends.

Evans was a prolific playwright and member of the Black Arts movement of the 1960s and 70s, focusing on the African-American experience. He was department chair of African American studies at The College of New Jersey, where the black box theater is named in his honor. Evans also taught at Princeton and Rutgers universities over the years, and was a founder of Trenton's Players Company. “A Lovesong for Miss Lydia” is considered one of his most poignant works.

Evans passed away in 2003, and Theater to Go honors his legacy with this production. Evan’s eldest son, Todd Evans, joins the production in the role of Ostell. Todd is founder of Don Evans Players of Willingboro, N.J., named in honor of his father in an effort to continue his legacy and his commitment to community theater and the arts.

Directed by Ruth Markoe of Lawrenceville, “A Lovesong for Miss Lydia” stars Mimi B. Francis of North Brunswick as Lydia; Kyle Moore of Ewing as Mahlon; Todd Evans of Trenton as Ostell; and Karen Hilton of Trenton as Sarah. The creative team includes Rachel Jenkins (stage manager); Christine Heffron of Hamilton (assistant stage manager); Ian Smith of Maple Shade (set design); Jackson Siegel of West Windsor (lighting design); Eric Collins of Trenton (sound design); and Mellissa Rittmann of Ewing (costumes).

Performances of “A Lovesong for Miss Lydia” are Friday, February 9 at 8:00pm, and Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 11 at 2:00pm. An Opening Night Gala with cast and crew follows the February 9 performance. Performances will be at the Kelsey Theatre on the MCCC West Windsor Campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for children and students, and are available for purchase online or by calling the Kelsey Box Office Monday through Thursday, 9:00am - noon, at (609) 570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the theater. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

The

The Players Guild of Leonia presents "Desperate Measures"

(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia presents the musical, Desperate Measures weekends from May 30 - June 15, 2025. Imagine Shakespeare's Measure for Measure stripped down (pun intended) to its most fun parts, staged in the old west (Arizona), and set to music. This is a fast-paced comedy that will have the audience laughing from start to finish.



Surflight

Surflight Theatre presents Irving Berlin's "Top Hat"

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents Irving Berlin's Top Hat from May 28 through June 15, 2025. This uplifting and entertaining romantic comedy, featuring 14 glorious songs by Irving Berlin, celebrates 1930s music and romance with elegance and panache.



Theater

Theater to Go presents "Fiddler On The Roof" at Kelsey Theatre

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- A beloved musical following a family’s celebration of life and all of its challenges, "Fiddler on the Roof," comes to life on the Kelsey Theatre stage from June 6-15, 2025 on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College. Presented by Theater To Go, this internationally celebrated musical delivers a profound message of resilience, unity, and hope, making it as relevant today as when it debuted on Broadway in 1964.



Bristol

Bristol Riverside Theatre presents "Alibi"

(BRISTOL, PA) -- Audiences should prepare for a thrilling night out at Bristol Riverside Theatre with Alibi, a sharp and stylish adaptation of legendary mystery writer Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. This suspenseful and witty production runs May 29 through June 15, 2025 and promises audiences excitement and plenty of laughs as they join one of Christie's most iconic characters—Detective Hercule Poirot—on a twisty trail of secrets and murder.



Music

Music Mountain Theatre presents the classic rock musical "Hair"

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents the American tribal love-rock musical Hair, featuring music by Galt MacDermot and book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, weekends from May 30 through June 15, 2025. The musical celebrates the Sixties counterculture in all its barefoot, bell-bottomed, and beaded glory with iconic songs like "Aquarius," "Good Morning Starshine," and "Let the Sunshine In."



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Epic

Epic Actors’ Workshop presents the 20th South Asian Theatre Festival

Sunday, June 15, 2025 @ 2:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: theatre


 

Raise

Raise the Curtain VII!: Shine!

Sunday, June 15, 2025 @ 4:30pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: theatre


 

Hedwig

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Sunday, June 15, 2025 @ 5:00pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: theatre


 

Count:

Count: Stories from America’s Death Row

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 @ 7:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Rehearsal Room)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: theatre


 

Count:

Count: Stories from America’s Death Row

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 @ 3:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Rehearsal Room)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: theatre


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info