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Arts & Entertainment

Hightstown Man Stars in 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels'

The play opens this weekend at Kelsey Theater in West Windsor.

With a scheme, a bet and an unsuspecting heiress, two con-artists will take over Kelsey Theater on the Mercer County Community College stage Friday, with the Maurer Productions OnStage’s production of “.” 

Hightstown resident William Mercado plays Freddy Benson, a small-time swindler who, by chance, meets a more experienced crook, Lawrence Jameson, on a train in the French Riviera. The two compete in their attempts to deceive young women, ultimately settling on a bet to end all bets — to trick an heiress out of $50,000 — that will force the loser to leave town.

The musical is based on the 1988 movie by the same name, starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, with music and lyrics by David Yazbek. The musical adaptation opened on Broadway in 2005.

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Mercado has been performing on the Kelsey stage since last February. He was featured in three previous productions, he said, including “Seussical the Musical” as General Genghis Khan Schmitz; “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” as William Barfée; and the rabbi’s son in “Fiddler on the Roof.” He said the Kelsey Theatre stage affords an intimacy with the audience unavailable at other venues, as it is level with audience. While many stages are elevated, forcing actors to “look down on the audience,” Mercado said the Kelsey stage allows interaction between performers and audience members. 

 “Their stage is unlike any stage I’ve ever performed on," he said. "It breaks that wall where it’s not just a show you’re watching; you’re part of it."

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Mercado works for the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University as an office coordinator. When he isn’t working or onstage, he can be found working in his art studio. Though he’s worked in graphic art, painting and drawing, he said textile painting has been his main focus for the past ten years. As an active member of the theatre in high school, Mercado said he returned to the stage when he found he had some extra time on his hands.

“I went back into acting, and I haven’t left since,” he said.

In order to portray the not-so-slick Freddy Benson, Mercado said he’s worked to act “over-the-top” and “outlandish” to capture the “sleazy” charm of the incompetent conman.

“It really gave me the opportunity to let loose… I don’t get to be a man, I get to be a guy,” he said. “I just had to let go of my inhibitions… This character… he’s rude, he’s crass, he’s an idiot… he basically has no morals.”

Improvising and inventing new dimensions of his character is integral to the comedy of the show — to the point that cast members are unsure of what to expect. This dynamic of the comedy, Mercado said, has translated to rehearsals, which began in late March. Though by now everyone's beyond the early stages of preparation, Mercado said the cast still manages to surprise each other and crack each other up. 

“Rehearsals are ridiculous,” Mercado said. “We’re still laughing at everything we do.”

The comedy of the play is appropriate for a PG-13 audience, Mercado said, due to language and adult-centered humor. The show will run Fridays, May 13 and 20, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, May 14 and 21, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays, May 15 and 22 at 2 p.m.

“It’s a comedy for anybody that just wants a two-hour escape and to watch people act like fools,” Mercado said. “I guarantee whoever comes to this show will love it.”

Tickets are $16 for aduts, $14 for seniors and $12 for students/children. Buy them online or by calling the box office at 609-570-3333.

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