Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Thursday, August 7, 2014
You Can Be A Hero - ACT Today We Are Almost There! We Are Counting On You!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
ACT Andover Theater Company - March 2012 - Getting ready for Summer Theater Camp in Andover
March 2012 Andover, MA It'e been a busy season here at ACT. This fall we wrapped up our production of Annie at The Rogers Center for the Arts and even performed on a float in the Andover Santa Parade. In january we ran The Great American Trailer Park Musical and are now in production for Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific with ACTjr opening in April and the blockbuster musical 42nd St with ACT which opens in May. Coming up is our annual summer dinner cabaret and our summer theater camp program in Andover, MA.
Last year our summer theater camp produced the acclaimed Les Miserables! By request this year we have 2 camps one for our jr members and a new camp for younger performers. This summer ACTjr will be producing How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and ACTkids will put on Aladdin jr. Don't miss these great summer theater camp programs which feature classes in acting, dance, and music as well as technical theater with our talented staff or professionals Charles Gracy, Mark Mercer, Amy Wilkins Blanchette, Kim Cook, & Jamie Cook. Details and registration information at www.actandover.com Class size is limited so register today! Don't miss out!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
42nd Street has been cast. Set to hit the stage at The Rogers Center for the Art in May. Congrats to the cast
Congratulations to the incredibly talented cast of 42nd Street Tickets on sale now at THE ACT BOX OFFICE
Peggy Sawyer - Amy Wilkins-Blanchette
Billy Lawlor-James Sims
Maggie Jones-Abbie Sawyer
Andi Lee-Brenda Pothier
Bert Berry-Timothy Sipsey
Abner Dillon-Tom Aylward
Pat Denning-Stan Swieck
Dorothy Brock-Susan Hawes
Julian Marsh-Scott Ippolito
Anytime Annie - Wende Donahue
Winnie - Elise Boland
Diane - Jen Bertolino
Ethel - Amy Danzinger
Phyllis - Amy McCarthy
Gladys - Deana Varitimos
Lorraine - Jennifer Armstrong
Mac- Steve Knepper
Dance Ensemble:
Courtney Plati
Melissa Kramer
Linda Lee
Christina Norton
Kim Dowell
Emily Lin
Tasha Smutney
Ensemble:
Lauren McCarron
Julie Day
Brenda Ernst
Kelcey Salois
Alyssa Jean
Mimi Pare
Melissa Belliard
Heidi Knepper
Robert Moylan
Michael Staffieri
Lisa Jones
Peter Anton
Leanne Merrill
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Trailer Park is open and hitting the stage January 20 -21st Don't miss out
Awesome rehearsal with the band tonight for ACT's production of The Great American Trailer Park Musical. Still time to get tickets for this funny, irreverent look into the Trailer Park Don't miss it - TIckets for ACT's production of The Great American Trailer Park Musical January 20-January 21 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
ACt Announces Cast for ACTjr's South Pacific
South Pacific Cast
Nellie Forbush- Emily Wivell
Emile de Becque- Bobby Hawes
Ngana- Iris Choo
Jerome- Alex Shih
Henry- Sam Krapels
Bloody Mary- Madelyn Broullard
Liat- Maci Letsky
Luther Billis- James Conley
Stewpot- Michael Hanscom
Professor- Conor Meehan
Lt. Joseph Cable- Nick Kalantzakos Jr.
Capt. George Brackett- Theo Kalantzakos
Cmdr. William Habison- Alex Hanscom
Lt Buzz Adams- Andrew Seifer
Yeoman Herbert Quale- Max Currie
Radio Operator Bob McCaffrey-Eric Bouchard
Seabee- Alex Hanscom
Sailor- Armando Bellard
Tom O’Brien- Daniel Webber
Marine- Carter Letsky
Shore Patrol Man- Alex Hanscom
Ensign Dinah Murphy- Alison McCarron
Ensign Janet MacGregor- Emilee Clapp
Lead Nurse- Elizabeth Day
Tired Nurse- Stephi Knepper
Nurse-Rachel Harris
Nurse 2- Erin Hanrahan
Nurse 3- Lily Daigle
Nurse 4- Summer Erickson
Featured Dancers:
TBD
Ensemble:
Sheryl Ehleck, Alexandria Russo, Lauren Wanthal, Emma Saltsman, Carla Jane McDonough, Taylor Day
South Pacific Production Team:
Charles Gracy- Director
Mark Mercer- Music Director
Brenda Pothier- Choreographer
Cara Kennedy- Producer
Music by Rodgers, Richard | Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II | Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan | Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel "Tales of the South Pacific" by James A. Michener
Set in an island paradise during World War II, two parallel love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. Nellie, a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a mature French planter, Emile. Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native and, unable to turn her back on the prejudices with which she was raised, refuses Emile's proposal of marriage. Meanwhile, the strapping Lt. Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent Tonkinese girl with whom he's fallen in love out of the same fears that haunt Nellie. When Emile is recruited to accompany Joe on a dangerous mission that claims Joe's life, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness, thus confronting and conquering her prejudices. Performed by special arrangement with Rogers & Hammerstein
This production will hit the stage this spring 2012 - Tickets on sale soon!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Seasons Greetings from The Trailer Park
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Monday, November 28, 2011
ACT moves to a new and bigger space!
ACT Andover The final big move to the new ACT space is going to be this Saturday, from 10-3. We really need help! We know some of you have been several times and we are very thankful. Please let us know if you can be there to help, even for a few hours. Every set of hands is going to make a difference. Please message us at theater@actandover.com if you can make it on Saturday so that we can plan appropriately.
Thanks in advance for looking at your schedules and considering!
Mark Gracy
Executive Producer ACT
Thursday, November 10, 2011
ACT Announces the cast and production team for The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Andover, MA November 10, 2011
ACT Announces the cast and production team for The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Show dates January 27, 28, 29 2012
The Great American Trailer Park Musical Music & Lyrics by David Nehls Book by Betsy Kelso
Director: Charles Gracy Music Director: Mark Mercer Choreographer: Beth Kennedy
Tickets on sale at www.ACTandover.com
There’s a new tenant at Armadillo Acres – and she’s wreaking havoc all over North Florida’s most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil-loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband – the storms begin to brew.
NOTE: This play contains adult themes and language and is not suitable for persons under 18 years of age.
Here are some quotes about the production -
“Adultery, strippers, murderous ex-boyfriends, Costco, and the Ice Capades. Undeniable fun.” - The New York Post
“South Park meets Desperate Housewives in this big-hearted musical comedy with a cheeky script and an infectious score. Trailer Park sparkles with treasure. - The New York Sun
“Joyful and unashamedly vulgar, this comic fable about women in a Florida trailer park and their no-account men is more fun than a chair-throwing episode of Jerry Springer set to music. - The New Yorker
The Cast
JEANNIE GARSTECKI.............................LINDA LEE SCALI
NORBERT GARSTECKI...........................MARK GRACY
PIPPI.........................................................JAMIE COOK
DUKE........................................................NICK KALANTZAKOS JR.
BETTY.......................................................SUSAN HAWES
LINOLEUM “LIN".....................................CARA MARIE KENNEDY
DONNA "PICKLES"..................................CAITLIN HAWES
Audition Notice for The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Audition Notice
WHAT: The Great American Trailer Park Musical
WHEN: Thursday, November 10 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm
WHERE: ACT Rehearsal Space
250 Canal Street Lawrence MA 4th Floor
This is an extremely funny and irreverent adult show. The MUSIC is extremely difficult, if you are not a strong parts singer this is not the show for you.
There are 7 parts in total. The roles of Betty, Lin and Pippi have already been cast, all other roles remain open.
Check out the official web site: http://www.trailerparkmusical.com/
Questions? Email Charles Gracy, Director charlesgracy@actandover.com or call 978-476-1138
A musical written by David Nehls and Betsy Kelso.
There’s a new tenant at Armadillo Acres – and she’s wreaking havoc all over North Florida’s most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil-loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband – the storms begin to brew.
NOTE: This play contains adult themes and language and is not suitable for persons under 18 years of age.
“Adultery, strippers, murderous ex-boyfriends, Costco, and the Ice Capades. Undeniable fun.”
- The New York Post
“South Park meets Desperate Housewives in this big-hearted musical comedy with a cheeky script and an infectious score. Trailer Park sparkles with treasure.”
- The New York Sun
“Joyful and unashamedly vulgar, this comic fable about women in a Florida trailer park and their no-account men is more fun than a chair-throwing episode of Jerry Springer set to music.”
- The New Yorker
CHARACTERS
THE LOVE TRIANGLE and THE VILLAIN
JEANNIE GARSTECKI (Brenda Brunston) Jeannie has lived in a trailer at Armadillo Acres for 20 years with her husband and high-school sweetheart, Norbert. A faded beauty, she was 17 when she married, 18 when her son was born and 23 when he got kidnapped. That, coupled with a really bad perm, has turned her into an agoraphobic. She hasn’t left her trailer in all these years, and the man she loves is drifting further and further away and she’s determined to get him back ... that is if she could manage to get out of the trailer to do it…
NORBERT GARSTECKI (Joshua Robertson) Jeannie's husband Norbert collects tolls for a living and tries to be as good a husband as one can be to an agoraphobic. A former high-school football star, he has rugged good looks marred by fatigue and the stress of his difficult marriage. He is a simple man who desperately wishes his wife could get out of the trailer, but he's not equipped with the emotional or intellectual tools to help her do it. He has never loved or slept with a woman other than Jeannie. That is until he meets...
PIPPI . Pippi is a striking beauty with a great body and a taste for clothing that shows it off. Up to this point, Pippi's life has been about surviving. She is a professional stripper who has gotten by on her looks and talents for dancing and petty theft. She means no harm and is ready to stop making bad choices and start making changes, but first she has to get lost in a hick-town trailer park in North Florida so she won’t be found by her last bad choice...
DUKE Duke is Pippi’s obsessive, possessive and excessive Magic Marker-sniffing boyfriend; “ex”-boyfriend according to Pippi. Not so, according to Duke. Not the brightest guy south of the Mason-Dixon Line, Duke leaves a trail of disaster in his wake wherever he goes. His road trip to Starke is no exception and his arrival at the trailer park is full of surprises - even for a group of people who have had their share of excitement…
“THE GIRLS"
BETTY Betty attended high school with Norbert and Jeannie Garstecki and has lived at Armadillo Acres for just as long. She now runs the leasing office and makes it her business to know everything about everybody who passes through the trailer park. Though a self-proclaimed "bad-ass," Betty is really a mother hen to the denizens of the trailer park. Of all "The Girls," Betty is the most grounded, earthy and dry.
LINOLEUM “LIN" So-named because her mother gave birth to her on the kitchen floor, Linoleum has a husband on death row at the Florida State Prison. His fate is an electric chair that doesn’t work properly unless most of the town’s electricity is turned off, so Lin watches everyone's lights and appliances very closely in the hopes that she can keep the chair on the fritz. Sometimes self-absorbed and sometimes just a smart-ass, she hints at a wild, rock-and-roll past and is the fieriest of "The Girls."
DONNA "PICKLES" A newlywed, Donna is called "Pickles" because she is perpetually hysterically pregnant - that is, she's so convinced she should be pregnant that she's exhibiting symptoms. Her husband is a lot fancier than she is, as he is from the big city of Jacksonville. His parents haven’t been very supportive of his marital choice, so Pickles is desperate to give her husband a family of his even if she has to fake it. The dimmest of "The Girls," Pickles is airy, sweet and blissfully ignorant.
Monday, October 17, 2011
ACT Andover Presents ANNIE, The Musical
ACT Andover Presents ANNIE, The Musical
October 28-30 at Merrimack’s Rogers Center for the Arts
October 17, 2011 -- Later this month, ACT Andover will present its largest cast ever on the stage of the Rogers Center at Merrimack College. Nearly 80 cast members, ranging in age from six to sixty will assure audiences that “the sun’ll come out tomorrow”!
The cast includes 46 children, 30 adults and one charming canine. Maggie Budzyna of Newburyport and Mia Campbell of Burlington share the leading role of Annie. The show also features eleven family groups from the Andovers and surrounding areas, including triplets playing The Young Boylan Sisters, Elizabeth, Taylor and Kristina Day, and their mom Julie in the ensemble. The Knepper family of Andover has mom Heidi, dad Steve and son Dylan all in the cast, and Peter Anton of Dracut shares the stage with daughters Emily and Yelaina. Full cast list and town specific performers available upon request and is available on the ACT website at www.ACTandover.com
“This cast is very unique – we are lucky to have not only amazing individual talent, but also mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters and brothers all lighting up our Annie stage”, says Co-Director Mark Gracy. “We’ve never had a cast this family-oriented and it couldn’t be more appropriate for the heart-warming story of Little Orphan Annie.”
The adventures of Annie, her dog Sandy, the orphans and Daddy Warbucks have been beloved by children and adults alike for more than 85 years. Started as a comic strip by Harold Gray in 1924, Little Orphan Annie later inspired a radio show, film adaptations and a Broadway musical, which celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2012. Despite decades of fame, the rags-to-riches story and memorable music of Annie continue to captivate audiences everywhere.
ACT Andover’s Annie is Co-Directed by Charles and Mark Gracy and choreographed by Beth Kennedy. Music Director is Mark Mercer. Shows are: October 28 at 7pm, October 29 at 2pm and 7pm, and October 30 at 2pm at the Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College in North Andover.
Tickets are $18 for seniors and students, $20 for adults. Available in advance through the Box Office: (978) 276-9568 or online at http://www.ticketpeak.com/act. Tickets to Annie are general admission seating and patrons need to be sure to print out their e-tickets after ordering.
Founded in 2008, ACT Andover provides quality live theater to the Andovers and surrounding communities. ACT Andover is a non-profit theater company striving to provide an outlet for seasoned performers and new talent. The theater company recently added its new "ACT Jr." program for 7th-12th graders, which performed "Les Miserables" to rave reviews after an intensive four week program. This Spring, ACT will offer another Jr. production in addition to "42nd Street." For more information visit www.actandover.com.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
ACT Theater Company Has Expanded It's Season for 2011 - 2012 Check it Out!
ANDOVER, MA ACT has a busy year planned. Currently in production is the musical ANNIE which hits the stage at The Rogers Center for the Arts at the end of October. Tickets are on sale now!
Up next is The Great American Trailer Park Musical - You don't want to miss this hysterical, irreverant comedy in January. In March ACTjr adds a new production to our annual season and fills the void left my the departure of MJT (Merrimack Junior Theater) this past year. Watch for audition and show announcements for this show coming soon! In May, ACT is back to the Rogers Center for the Arts for our next spectacular production of the award winning showstopper 42nd Street followed by our Summer Dinner Cabaret at The Andover Country Club. Students don't miss out on this summer's ACTjr Summer Theater Arts Camp which promises to be even bigger than last year's Les Miserables! Check the ACT website for updates on auditions, our online box office and more. For additional information or questions email theater@actandover.com.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Les Miserables - SE at the Rogers Center AUG 4-7
Can you hear the people sing? Boublil & Schönberg's legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES comes to the Andovers August 4-7th at The Rogers Center for The Arts. This Cameron Macintosh musical Based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel of the same name is set in early 19th-century France. The plot follows the stories of many characters as they struggle for redemption and revolution. LES MISÉRABLES is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs "I Dreamed a Dream," "On My Own," "Stars," "Bring Him Home," "Do You Hear the People Sing?," "One Day More," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," "Master Of The House" The students have been in rehearsal at the ACTjr Theatrical Summer Camp for 3 weeks. Each morning the student rotate through classes in music and vocal training, dance and drama training and in the afternoon rehearse the musical LES MISÉRABLES Student Edition. This fourth week is tech week at the Rogers Center for the Arts where they rehearse in full costume, with the set and lights and special effects and a full orchestra at the Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College. They will be performing LES MISÉRABLES Student Edition this weekend Thursday 7pm Saturday 2pm and 7pm and Sunday at 2pm at the Rogers Center for the Arts. The 40 children in the program range from grades 6-12. Most of the students are Andover and North Andover residents with a few camp participants from surrounding areas. Camp teachers are Charles Gracy - Artistic Director for ACT Andover and drama teacher at Brooks School in North Andover, Mark Mercer - Music Director and music teacher for Andover Public Schools, Brenda Pothier - Choreographer, Cara Kennedy - Producer and long time Andover resident. ACT Executive Producer - Mark Gracy - Andover real estate agent.
This is a phenomenally talented cast and the show will be unforgettable. Don't miss out! Tickets are on sale now at www.ACTandover.com and will also be available at the door of the Rogers Center for the Arts 1 hour before show times.
Andover Residents in the cast
Madelyn Brouillard, Rebecca Cheng, Iris Choo, Emilee Clapp, Graham Cook, Kiley Corcoran, Maria Cortner, Max Currie, Lilly Daigle, Conner Dwyer, Suzanne Egertson, Summer Erickson, Erin Hanrahan, Alex Hanscom, Bobby Hawes, Caitlyn Hawes, Emma Johnson, Nick Kalentzakos Jr, Theo Kalentzakos, Stephanie Knepper, Carter Letsky, Maci Letsky, Emily Lin, Michelle Lin, Alison McCarron, Coner Meehan, Erica Nork, Eileen O’Farrell, Tiernan O’Rourke, Lydia Ouelette, Evan Pantely, Sam Pond, Nicholas Renton, Nicholas Solomini, Daniele Webber, and Emily Wivell.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Andover Summer Theater Arts Education Program to perform Les Miserables
A list of the talented students participating in the program can be found on the theater company website.
Les Miserables
Student Edition
at the Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College
August 4th thru August 7th
LES MISERABLES SCHOOL EDITION
A musical by ALAIN BOUBLIN and CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHONBERG
Based on a novel by VICTOR HUGO
Music by CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHONBERG
Lyrics by HERBERT KRETZMER
Original French text by ALAIN BOUBLIL and JEAN-MARC NATEL
Additional material by JAMES FENTON
Orchestrations by JOHN CAMERON
Original London production produced by
CAMERON MACINTOSH and THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
School Edition specially adapted and licensed by
MUSIC THEATER INTERNATIONAL and CAMERON MACKINTOSH
Director - Charles Gracy
Music Director - Mark Mercer
Choreographer - Brenda Pothier
Producer - Cara Kennedy
ACT Artistic Director: Charles Gracy ACT Executive Producer: Mark Gracy
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Annie Auditions
Adults and Children needed for this great cast. This is a great show for the whole family. ACT Visit The ACT Theater Website
Audition Dates: Children Sunday August 14th 2-6 pm at the Center for Performing Arts 1820 Turnpike Street N Andover
Adults Auditions Monday August 15-16 7-10pm The ACT Space 250 Canal Street Lawrence MA
Rehearsals Start Thursday August 18th (read thru)
Rehearsals will be Sunday 2-7pm and Tues and Thurs 7-930pm
You will be called for specific rehearsal times (not every rehearsal)
Here is a list of some of the available roles:
Character Breakdown
ANNETTE- A French Maid
ANNIE- Spunky, friendly, big-voiced, street-wise urchin--one of the orphans 11 years old Mezzo-Soprano: A - high F
BERT HEALY - Radio Personality
BOYLAN Sisters: Bonnie, Connie, Ronnie - Singing sisters, perform on "Oxydent's Hour of Smiles" radio program
BUNDLES McCLOSKEY- The Laundryman
CECILLE,- A French Maid
CORDELL HULL-Male Cabinet member
DRAKE-Warbucks's English Butler
DUFFY-The biggest orphan 13 years old
FDR, the President Baritone (C-flat - E-sharp)
FRANCIS PERKINS-Female Cabinet member
FRED McCRACKEN-Radio Personality
GRACE FARRELL-Faithful Assistant to Warbucks Soprano: A - high G
HAROLD ICKES-Male Cabinet member
HENRY MONRGENTHAU-Male Cabinet member
JULY-The quietest orphan 13 years old
KATE-The next to littlest orphan 7 years old
LILY-Rooster's floozy girlfriend Soprano: D - high G
LOUIS HOWE-Associate to Roosevelt
MISS HANNIGAN-Cantankerous and mean old orphanage director Mezzo-Soprano: A - A flat
MOLLY-The littlest orphan 6 years old
MRS. GREER-The Housekeeper
MRS. PUGH-The Cook
OLIVER WARBUCKS-Warm-hearted, stiff-collared host to Annie for 2 weeks at Christmas Baritone: C - high F
PEPPER-The toughest orphan 12 years old
ROOSEVELT CABINET MEMBERS-Francis Perkins, Cordell Hull, Harold Ickes, Henry Morganthau
ROOSTER-Miss Hannigan's no-good brother Baritone: B - high G
TESSIE-The cry baby orphan 10 years old
WACKY- Radio Personality
Questions?
Call 978-476-1138 or email charlesgracy@actandover.com
Director: Charles Gracy Choreographer: Beth Kennedy Music Director: Mark Mercer
Performed by license with MTI at The Rogers Center for Arts North Andover
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
ACT Annual Awards June 28, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
DIVAS - Summer Dinner Cabaret - Andover MA
The BOX OFFICE for DIVAS is now open! Tickets are on sale for the dinner cabaret which includes a fabulous 3 course meal and the cabaret featuring the music of DIVAS of stage, screen, radio. The show is performed at the fabulous Indian Ridge Country Club in Andover, MA
Seating is limited and first come first serve.
Visit the ACT WEBSITE or the link for DIVAS below
BOX OFFICE FOR DIVAS
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
ACT Andover Guys and Dolls and Les Miserables come to Andover
Also up this month are auditions for Les Miserables (student edition) - ACT's summer theatre program. Students in the program will have classes in acting, music and dance during the morning and will work specifically on the musical Les Miserables in the afternoon. Registration for the program which runs through July with performances of Les Miserables at the Rogers Center for the Arts early August. Registration is limited visit the ACT website (ACTjr Les Miserables Summer Program) for more detail and registration information. The summer program will be taught by Charles Gracy - Artistic Director for ACT and Mark Mercer, Music Director.
ACT Andover Theatre Company - We Look forward to entertaining you
Friday, March 4, 2011
ACT Jr Announces Les Miserables for Summer 2011
ACT JR SUMMER 2011
ACT JR. Summer Program
For our first production we are thrilled to announce:
Les Miserables- School Edition
When: July 11th, 2011 with performances the first weekend in August.
How Much: Cost will be $300 a week for a total of $1200. An early payment and registration discount is available, if payment is received by April 1st, 2011, then the total cost is $1000. Please make checks payable to ACT Andover. We will accept credit card payments for the program and the link to it will be on the web page. There is a connivence charge to use a credit card.
Who: We are taking children going into the 7th grade through High School. A few exceptions will be made for children younger then 7th grade if they are motivated and serious about theatre.
Where: We will be rehearsing at: The Center of Performing Arts In North Andover from 9-3 Monday thru Friday. Please pack a lunch and 2 snacks for the children. (Extended after program hours are available for parents who need it at an additional charge.)
There is limited availability for this program so get your registrations in ASAP. Registration will be available online at www.ActAndover.com under the Act Jr. tab. To register you must fill out the form and are required to provide a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Program Director: Charles Gracy Music Director: Mark Mercer