Emily Christine

A REAL BOY gives us a chance to challenge our assumptions, and that's always a good thing.

Inviting guests to enjoy MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING in the open air amphitheatre in downtown Round Rock, Penfold Theatre presents a delightful adaptation of this Shakespearean classic. Traditionally classified as a comedy, the comedic elements were matched note for note with somber country western style songs - making this interpretation a dramedy for your viewing pleasure. At the heart of our story are two couples, thriving in desperation and desire at any given time in respect to their ingenue and sarcastic style of speech, they echoe classic Shakespearean qualities. As the character's continue intertwining, Claudio (played by Nathan Daniel Ford) declares his affection for fair Hero (played by Emily Christine Smith) these two are quickly swoon and a wedding date is set. A trick is hatched to play on funny man Benedick (played by Nathan Jerkins) and fiery Beatrice (played by Jennifer Coy Jennings) to falsely reveal the others affections through not-so-private conversations from other characters. Resorting back to childish tactics apparently has worked on people for centuries as their attraction for each other begins to bloom. However a more tricky foil comes to fruition when Don John (played by Suzanne Balling) falsely reveals Hero's infidelity the night before her wedding to young Claudio. Outraged by the thought of an unfaithful partner, Claudio rages away from the wedding altar cursing Hero's name for her promiscuity. The stage is set, the plot is hot and the characters are clamoring to protect one another and come out on top.

"Cats," Andrew Lloyd Webber's magical musical homage to the feline world, comes to Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre in March. Playful Theatre Productions will present nine performances over three weekends, including four matinees. Dates and show times for evening performances are: Fridays, March 13 and 27 at 8 p.m., and Saturdays, March 14, 21 and 28 at 8 p.m. Matinees will be presented on Sunday, March 15, Saturday, March 21, Sunday, March 22 and Sunday, March 29 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on MCCC's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. An opening night reception with the cast and crew follows the March 13 performance.

The Theatre Project's resident company, TP&co, presents Much Ado About Nothing at The Players Theatre, opening tonight, February 14, 2014.

Playful Theatre Productions presents the hit family comedy "Legally Blonde - the Musical" at Mercer County Community College's Kelsey Theatre. Dates and times are Fridays, April 19 and 26 at 8 p.m.; Saturdays, April 20 and 27 at 8 p.m.; and Sundays, April 21 and 28 at 2 p.m. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on April 19. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

Emily Christine Smith, who appeared in the original Greyman Theatre Company production of Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond's musical DANI GIRL, will step into the role of Mother for Greyman's restaging at WaterTower Theatre's Out of the Loop Fringe Festival.