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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, September 9, 2024 Contact: Chris Boneau / Michelle Farabaugh / Colleen Donahue Follow Paper Mill Playhouse on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok Follow BBB on X, Instagram, and Facebook   Click here to download press images and materials

Kicking Off the Tony Award-Recognized Institution’s

2024-2025 Season and Marking 86 Years

in Millburn, New Jersey

 

Paper Mill Playhouse

Announces Full Casting for

Jersey Boys

Rehearsals Begin Today!

Performances Begin Wednesday, October 2

Through Sunday, November 3, 2024

Opening Night is Sunday, October 6

 

www.papermill.org

 

MILLBURN, NJ – September 9, 2024 – Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director; Michael Stotts, Executive Director), recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, is pleased to announce casting for Jersey Boys, the first show of Paper Mill’s 2024-2025 season.

Directed by Michael Bello (We Are the Tigers, associate director of The Who’s Tommy and Jersey Boys UK/US tours and off-Broadway), Jersey Boys begins performances on Wednesday, October 2 ahead of a Sunday, October 6 opening night. The run continues through Sunday, November 3 at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ).

The cast, which began rehearsals this morning, will star Daniel Quadrino (Newsies The Musical) as Frankie Valli, Ben Diamond (Newsies The Musical at TUTS) as Bob Gaudio,Robert Lenzi (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) as Nick Massi, Jake Bentley Young (The Karate Kid) as Tommy DeVito, Nick Duckart (Come From Away national tour) as Gyp DeCarlo, and Jeremy Gaston (Aladdin) as Bob Crewe, with Amber Ardolino, Kelly Belarmino, Holli’ Conway, Hugh Entrekin, Kaitlyn Frank, Nathan Lucrezio, Andrew Martin Maguire, Jarran Muse, Tyler Okunski, and Reagan Pender.

Download photos of the company gathering in the rehearsal room here.

“It’s incredibly fitting to kick off our 86^th season with this newly reimagined version of a true Jersey story,” said Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director of Paper Mill Playhouse.“To our great pride, our ‘four guys under a street lamp’ will be the first homegrown Jersey Boys production in the state of New Jersey. Oh, what a night it will be!”

The creative team includes Kyli Rae (choreographer), Geoffrey Ko (music director), Kelly James Tighe (scenic design), Julie Thiry (costume design), Paige Seber (lighting design), Megumi Katayama (sound design), Ashley Rae Callahan (hair & wig design), Michael Rossmy (fight & intimacy direction), Tara Rubin Casting, and Anna Belle Gilbert (production stage manager). Jersey Boys set and props provided by The REV Theatre Company, Auburn, NY. Original scenic design by Marshall Pope & Chad Healy.

With phenomenal music, memorable characters, and great storytelling, Jersey Boys follows the fascinating evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop-music history. This Tony Award–winning Best Musical takes you behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to discover the secret of a 40-year friendship as the foursome work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom. Witness electrifying performances of chart-topping hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Dawn,” and “My Eyes Adored You.”

Suzanne Engel is the Marquee Sponsor of Jersey Boys. The GenWealth Group is the Opening Night Sponsor.

ACCESSIBILITY

AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES are scheduled for Sunday, October 27 at 1:30pm and Saturday, November 2 at 1:30pm.

OPEN-CAPTIONED & ASL-INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES are scheduled for Saturday, November 2 at 1:30pm and Sunday, November 3 at 7:00pm.

ABOUT PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE

PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, is a nationally renowned not-for-profit theater under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Michael Stotts (Executive Director). A beloved New Jersey arts institution since 1938, Paper Mill creates and produces groundbreaking new musicals and reimagined classics. Several productions have gone on to Broadway and launched national tours, including The Great Gatsby, Disney’s Newsies, Bandstand, Honeymoon in Vegas, A Bronx Tale, and Les Misérables (25^th Anniversary production). The theater is also the home to an award-winning center for musical theater education and artist training, with outreach programs that impact thousands of students each year. As one of the nation’s premier musical theaters, Paper Mill fosters a creative environment to advance the art form, educate students, develop future theater lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

BIOGRAPHIES

	BEN DIAMOND (Bob Gaudio) is thrilled to be making his Paper Mill debut as this iconic music maker! Although he originally hails from San Francisco, he became an honorary Jersey boy after graduating from college in the Garden State. Recent credits: Davey in Newsies (TUTS) and Sky in Mamma Mia! (Great Lakes CFA). Instagram: @boondoomond
	ROBERT LENZI (Nick Massi). Broadway: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Miles Tuck in Tuck Everlasting, South Pacific. Off Broadway: Dogfight, Hello Again. Regional credits include The Sound of Music (Ogunquit Playhouse), Cyrano de Bergerac (Guthrie Theater), Soul (Baltimore Center Stage), Assassins (Yale Rep), A Sign of the Times (Goodspeed), Road Show (Chicago Shakespeare Theater). Film: Park Avenue with Fiona Shaw (upcoming), The Last Airbender, Sex and the City 2, The Happening, The Village. TV: “Monsterland,” “Orange Is the New Black,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “The Good Fight,” “Deception,” “Blue Bloods,” “Clubhouse.” BFA in Acting from Carnegie Mellon University. @bob.lenzi
	DANIEL QUADRINO (Frankie Valli) is so excited to be making his Paper Mill debut in such an iconic show. Earlier this year, Daniel appeared in the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of The Who’s Tommy, direct from the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Other Broadway credits include Wicked, Newsies, and Bye Bye Birdie. National Tours: Waitress (Ogie), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mike Teevee). Off Broadway: Fowl Play (Archie). Regional: La Jolla Playhouse, PCLO, The Muny. Television: NBC’s Peter Pan Live!. @dannyquadrino
	JAKE BENTLEY YOUNG (Tommy DeVito) is an actor and artist originally from Sacramento, CA, and he’s thrilled to be making his Paper Mill Playhouse debut with Jersey Boys. He was recently seen in the pre-Broadway engagement of The Karate Kid as Johnny Lawerence. Other regional credits include Rent at Sacramento Music Circus, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at North Shore Music Theatre, Newsies at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, and Mystic Pizza at the John W. Engeman Theatre. BFA, Texas State University. @jakebentleyyoung
	NICK DUCKART (Gyp DeCarlo) is thrilled to be making his Paper Mill Playhouse debut! Favorite theater credits include Come From Away (first national tour original cast), In the Heights, Evita, Camelot, and others. TV credits: “The Blacklist” and “Burn Notice.” His favorite credit, though, is being Maia and Lucy’s dad, Mariand’s husband, and Angel and Angela’s son.
	JEREMY GASTON (Bob Crewe). Broadway: Aladdin (Genie standby). TV: “Law & Order” (NBC). National/International Tours: Aladdin (Genie standby), The Book of Mormon (second national, ensemble), Motown (second national, Berry Gordy/Stevie Wonder u/s), Sister Act (first national, Eddie/TJ u/s), Shrek (Donkey), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Victor u/s), Jesus Christ Superstar (Priest u/s), Sunfish (Monk). Regional: The Little Mermaid (Sebastian, Gateway), Jersey Boys (Barry Belson, Maine State), 9 to 5 (Dick, NC Theatre), A Sign of the Times (Jamie, Goodspeed), Rent (Benny, Surflight). Instagram: @JeremyAllynGaston
MICHAEL BELLO (Director) is a Cuban-American director of musical theater and native Jersey boy. He is honored to be returning to Paper Mill, where he was a student in New Voices. He has directed several world premieres including Letters to the President (Goodspeed, The Great Hall at Cooper Union) and We Are the Tigers (Off Broadway). Select associate director credits alongside Tony Award winner Des McAnuff include The Who’s Tommy (Broadway revival), Jersey Boys (UK/US tours, Off Broadway, and upcoming live capture starring Nick Jonas), and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (Broadway, La Jolla Playhouse, first national tour). BFA, Emerson College. www.MichaelBello.com
KYLI RAE (Choreographer) is thrilled to be making her Paper Mill debut! Ms. Rae’s body of work can be seen from stage to screen. She most recently directed and choreographed Little Shop of Horrors at the Garden Theatre. Kyli has choreographed shows such as Summer: The Donna Summer Musical and The Prom regionally, and she has served as an associate director/choreographer for Norwegian Cruise Line for years. She sings “My Boyfriend’s Back” in the film adaptation of Jersey Boys, directed by Clint Eastwood. Broadway/National Tours: Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, Summer, A Bronx Tale, Flashdance, Mamma Mia!, Grease, Fame. Instagram: @kyliraeLA
GEOFFREY KO (Music Director) is a music director, orchestrator, and arranger. Broadway: The Notebook, Be More Chill. Off Braodway: Broadway Bounty Hunter, Baby (new orchestrations), Generation Me, Renascence. Previous Paper Mill credits include Disney’s A Jolly Holiday and The Honeymooners. World premieres at Paper Mill Playhouse, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Two River Theater, Williamstown, Ogunquit Playhouse, TPAC, Argyle Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse, and the Marriott Theatre. Other work: Ride (West End), Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical, the Jimmy Awards, and Disney on Broadway concerts. Geoffrey is a New Jersey native and graduate of Northwestern University. @geoffreyhko
KELLY JAMES TIGHE (Scenic Design). National tours/Off Broadway credits include The Cher Show, Martin Luther on Trial, The Most Reluctant Convert, The Fantasticks, The Great Divorce, Movin’ Out, Cats, Shear Madness, Shadowlands, Almost Heaven. Paper Mill designs include A Jolly Holiday, Songs for a New World, Pete ’n’ Keely, Beehive, Beauty and the Beast, and more. Kelly’s work has been seen at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, TUTS, Ogunquit Playhouse, Gateway Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, Center Repertory Co., Slow Burn Theatre, Woodloch Pines Resort, and others. Awards and recognitions: Drama-Logue, SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, Dean Goodman Critic’s Choice, SF Bay Shellie Award. Online at KJTdesign.com, Instagram: @kellyjtighe
JULIE THIRY (Costume Design). In addition to designer, Julie is a wardrobe supervisor and dresser on and Off Broadway. Recent productions include Macbeth starring Daniel Craig and multiple-Tony Award-winning Leopoldstadt. Her recent design work is being showcased in Jersey Boys at Tuacahn Amphitheatre. She is excited to be showcasing her new Jersey Boys design here in this innovative production! Julie is also an adjunct professor of wardrobe studies at Montclair State University and the Fashion Institute of Technology. She resides in Bergen County, New Jersey.
PAIGE SEBER (Lighting Design) is thrilled to make her lighting design debut at Paper Mill Playhouse with Jersey Boys. She previously served as assistant lighting designer for Chasing Rainbows at Paper Mill in 2019 and Holiday Inn in 2018. Notable Off Broadway credits include Titanique (Daryl Roth Theatre), Is Anyone Alive Out There? (Audible Live, Minetta Lane), The Slow Dance (59E59), and Fowl Play (AMT Theater). Other credits include Cunnicularii (Good Apples Collective), Nine (Manhattan School of Music), and Wolf Play and Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Rec Room Arts). For more about her work, visit seberlighting.com.
MEGUMI KATAYAMA (Sound Design). Paper Mill debut! NYC/Off Broadway: Titanic, Jelly’s Last Jam, The Light in the Piazza, The Life (City Center Encores!); The Public Theater; Playwrights Horizons; LCT3; Minetta Lane; Little Island; NAATCO; New Victory; Rattlestick; NYTW Gala. Regional: Cambodian Rock Band (tour), Alley Theatre, Arena Stage, Alliance Theatre, Denver Center for Performing Arts, Geva Theatre Center, Two River, Long Wharf, Yale Rep, Studio Theatre, Everyman Theater, Woolly Mammoth, Cincinnati Playhouse, KC Rep, Berkeley Rep, The Old Globe, Trinity Rep, Chautauqua Theater Company, Dorset Theater Festival, Zach, Skylight Music Theatre, Theatre Aspen, and more. megumikatayama.com
ASHLEY RAE CALLAHAN (Hair & Wig Design) (she/her) is an Emmy-nominated hairstylist. Her design work includes Ain’t Too Proud and Annie (national tours); Les Misérables, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, Sweeney Todd (Muny); Evita (A.R.T., Shakespeare Theatre Co., NY City Center) Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (New World Stages, Maltz Jupiter), and Once Upon a One More Time (STC). Broadway/TV associate designer credits: New York, New York; Beetlejuice; NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, Summer, The Color Purple (revival), Holiday Inn, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. TV/film hairstyling: A Complete Unknown, Stranger Things, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Oppenheimer, The Gilded Age.
MICHAEL ROSSMY (Fight & Intimacy Direction). Paper Mill: Pirates!, Oliver!, A Comedy of Tenors. Broadway: A Tale of Two Cities. Off Broadway: Sally and Tom, White Noise; Measure for Measure, The Vagrant Trilogy, Troilus and Cressida (The Public Theater); What the End Will Be (Roundabout); Blues for an Alabama Sky, This Space Between Us (Keen Co.); Peerless, Harbour (Primary Stages). Regional: Yale Rep, Westport Country Playhouse, Asolo Rep, The Old Globe, TheaterWorks Hartford, Kansas City Rep, The Acting Company, Guthrie, Geffen Playhouse, and others. Other: Resident fight and intimacy director for Yale Rep, lecturer in Acting and Stage Management at Yale’s David Geffen School of Drama.
TARA RUBIN CASTING (Casting). Paper Mill: Gun & Powder, After Midnight, Rent, Hercules, Unmasked, Chasing Rainbows, The Sting, Bandstand, A Bronx Tale, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Can-Can. Selected Broadway and national tours: Left on Tenth, The Heart of Rock and Roll, The Wiz, The Outsiders, The Who’s Tommy, Water for Elephants, Back to the Future, Here Lies Love, Bad Cinderella, Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, KPOP, Mr. Saturday Night, Six, Ain’t Too Proud, The Band’s Visit, Sunset Boulevard, Miss Saigon, Dear Evan Hansen, Cats, School of Rock, Aladdin, Billy Elliot, Spamalot, …Spelling Bee, The Producers, Mamma Mia!, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera.
ANNA BELLE GILBERT (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to be at Paper Mill for the first time! She has a long history with Jersey Boys and is excited to be back with it. Other than working on JB for over a decade, Anna Belle toured with The Light in the Piazza and spent many years working with CTG, the Pasadena and Geffen Playhouses in L.A.

 

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PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE
ANNOUNCES 2024–2025 SEASON

JERSEY BOYS
OCT 2–NOV 3, 2024

IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS
NOV 27–DEC 29, 2024

MYSTIC PIZZA
A NEW MUSICAL
JAN 29–FEB 23, 2025

TAKE THE LEAD
A WORLD-PREMIERE MUSICAL
MAR 29–APR 27, 2025

DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID
MAY 29–JUN 29, 2025

(March 25, 2024 – Millburn, NJ) – Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director; Michael Stotts, Executive Director), recipient of the  Regional Theatre Tony Award, is proud to announce its 2024–2025 season, including a world premiere, the first New Jersey production of a Tony Award winner, family favorites, and a new musical based on a classic romantic comedy.

Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2024–2025 lineup of five musicals features Jersey Boys, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Mystic Pizza, Take the Lead, and Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

“Every year, Paper Mill Playhouse offers audiences a fresh take on award-winning Broadway musicals, and this year is no exception!” said Mark S. Hoebee. “This fall, Paper Mill will be the proud home of the first-ever production of Jersey Boys to originate in New Jersey. This Tony-winning Best Musical keeps the hits coming with the unforgettable music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The holidays will usher in the timeless beauty of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, with show-stopping performances and heartwarming romance in snowy Vermont. To end the season for theatre lovers of all ages, Disney returns to Paper Mill with the enchanting under-sea adventure of The Little Mermaid, featuring a beloved score by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater that’s delighted audiences for generations.”

“In addition to celebrated Broadway musicals, Paper Mill also gives audiences the chance to be first in the tri-state area – and often first in the world! – to see brand new work on stage,” said Michael Stotts. “Who better to deliver a first taste of Mystic Pizza than Paper Mill favorites Sandy Rustin and Casey Hushion, the team behind our productions of Clue and A Jolly Holiday? This feel-good adaptation of the beloved Julia Roberts rom-com will take audiences back to the 80s with hit songs from Cyndi Lauper, Huey Lewis, The Bangles, and more. Christopher Gattelli, whom Paper Mill audiences know from his exhilarating choreography for Newsies, returns with the world premiere of Take the Lead, based on the electric, dance-filled Antonio Banderas film.”

Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2024–2025 Season

Jersey Boys
The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
October 2–November 3, 2024
Book by Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice
Music by Bob Gaudio
Lyrics by Bob Crewe

With phenomenal music, memorable characters, and great storytelling, Jersey Boys follows the fascinating evolution of four blue-collar kids who became one of the greatest successes in pop-music history. This Tony Award-winning Best Musical takes you behind the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons to discover the secret of a 40-year friendship as the foursome work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom. Witness thrilling performances of chart-topping hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Dawn,” and “My Eyes Adored You.”

Jersey Boys is presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide.

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
November 27–December 29, 2024
Based on the Paramount Pictures film written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama & Melvin Frank
Music & Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Book by David Ives & Paul Blake
Original stage production directed by Walter Bobbie

Based on the classic 1954 holiday film, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is a Technicolor Broadway musical extravaganza. Two army buddies enlist the help of their showbiz pals to put on a show at a picturesque Vermont inn and end up finding their perfect mates. This incredible score contains some of Berlin’s most popular tunes including “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean?,” ”Count Your Blessings,” and the title song, “White Christmas.”

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

New Musical
Mystic Pizza
January 29–February 23, 2025
Book by Sandy Rustin
Based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture with story and characters by Amy Holden Jones
Choreographed by Connor Gallagher
Directed by Casey Hushion

Mystic Pizza is a new musical based on the 1988 rom-com that starred Julia Roberts. Adapted by Sandy Rustin (Clue) and directed by Casey Hushion (Beehive), Mystic Pizza tells the story of three working-class waitresses who navigate the complexities of life, love, and family in a small-town pizza joint. The infectious score features megahits of the ’80s and ’90s, from “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” to “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” and songs originally recorded by Cyndi Lauper, John Cougar Mellencamp, Wilson Phillips, The Bangles, Belinda Carlisle, Huey Lewis and the News, Debbie Gibson and Bryan Adams, among many others. It’s a new musical you’ll love at first slice!

World Premiere
Take the Lead
March 29–April 27, 2025
Book by Robert Cary & Jonathan Tolins
Music & Lyrics by Elliah Heifetz & Zeniba Now
Based on the New Line Cinema film written by Dianne Houston, by special arrangement with Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures
Co-choreographed by Jennifer Weber & Maria Torres
Directed & Choreographed by Christopher Gattelli

Set in the pulsating heart of New York City, Take the Lead is a joyful new musical based on the 2006 dance film that starred Antonio Banderas. This electrifying tale is the true story of Pierre Dulaine, a former professional dancer who, against all odds, brought the art of ballroom dance into New York City public schools. This world-premiere musical spotlights a dynamic fusion of ballroom and hip-hop in its music and choreography with a book by Robert Cary and Jonathan Tolins (Schmigadoon!) and a score by Elliah Heifetz and Zeniba Now with music production by !llmind. Take the Lead will be co-choreographed by Jennifer Weber (& Juliet) and Maria Torres (So You Think You Can Dance) and directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli (Newsies).

Disney’s The Little Mermaid
May 29–June 29, 2025
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater
Book by Doug Wright
Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker & Ron Clements

In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. Based on one of the world’s most beloved stories and the enchanting Disney animated film, The Little Mermaid is equal parts love story and adventure for the whole family to enjoy. This fishy fable boasts such irresistible songs as “Part of Your World,” “Kiss the Girl,” and the Academy Award-winning “Under the Sea,” along with a colorful cast of characters including Flounder the fish, Scuttle the seagull, Ursula the sea witch, and Sebastian the crab.

This production of The Little Mermaid is licensed by Music Theatre International.

Paper Mill Playhouse offers its audiences the opportunity to enhance their theater experience with behind-the-scenes views of mainstage productions, including Q&As held live in the theater with cast members. Paper Mill Prologues will be available to everyone on-demand in the Paper Mill Playhouse mobile app and on YouTube.

Award-winning access programs and services are available at all Paper Mill Playhouse productions, including audio-described performances, American Sign Language interpreted and open-captioned performances, Braille and large-print programs, and assistive listening devices.

Paper Mill Playhouse offers three-, four- and five-show subscription packages starting at just $111. Each subscription package includes a different level of special benefits – see www.PaperMill.org for details. Accessibly priced youth subscriptions are available for children under 18 with the purchase of an adult subscription. Tickets to individual shows will be on sale beginning Monday, August 5, 2024. Tickets and subscriptions may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, online at www.PaperMill.org, or at the box office.

Programs, dates, and artists are subject to change.

ABOUT PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE

PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, is a nationally renowned not-for-profit theater under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Michael Stotts (Executive Director). A beloved New Jersey arts institution since 1938, Paper Mill creates and produces groundbreaking new musicals and reimagined classics. Several productions have gone on to Broadway and launched national tours, including Disney’s Newsies, Les Misérables (25th Anniversary production), Honeymoon in Vegas, A Bronx Tale, and Bandstand. The theater is also the home to an award-winning center for musical theater education and artist training, with outreach programs that impact thousands of students each year. As one of the nation’s premier musical theaters, Paper Mill fosters a creative environment to advance the art form, educate students, develop future theater lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all. We acknowledge that our theater stands on the traditional land of the Lenni-Lenape, and we honor the Indigenous people who inhabited it for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

WEBSITE/SOCIAL ACCOUNTS
Website: PaperMill.org
Facebook: facebook.com/PaperMillPlayhouse
X: twitter.com/Paper_Mill
Instagram: instagram.com/papermillplayhouse
YouTube: youtube.com/user/PaperMillPlayhouse
TikTok: tiktok.com/@papermillplayhouse

MEDIA CONTACTS
The Press Room – 212-763-7724
Contact: Jim Byk / Kelly Guiod / Louisa Pancoast / Maddie Greenberg

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(Millburn, NJ) April 29, 2024.  As one of the nation’s leading theaters and recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Michael Stotts-Executive Director) has a well-earned reputation for launching both performers and shows to Broadway. Since their inception in 1996, the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater have ignited the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey.  Among previous nominees and winners are Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables), Tony Award winners Laura Benanti (Gypsy) and Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon, Suffs), Tony nominee Rob McClure (Mrs. Doubtfire, Chaplin), Jelani Remy (The Lion King, Ain’t Too Proud), Josh De La Cruz (Blues Clues & You!, Aladdin), Shanice Williams, (NBC’s The Wiz Live!) and Olivier Award nominee Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon).

The list of 2024 Nominations is below and at PaperMill.org.

The Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards presented by Investors Foundation and Citizens Philanthropic Foundation are modeled after the Tony Awards and serves the entire state of New Jersey. Paper Mill Playhouse conceived and created the awards in 1996 to give schools the opportunity to showcase their musical arts programs on a statewide level.  The 2024 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards Production Round began January 18 and continued for 13 weeks through April 14.  During the Production Round musicals at 117 New Jersey high schools in 19 counties were reviewed by more than 70 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards evaluators, with each school receiving three independent evaluations.  Schools nominated for Outstanding Overall Musical and all the Leading Performer nominees will perform at the 2024 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards Ceremony, which will take place at the historic theater on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.  Recipients are presented with an engraved crystal award from Tiffany & Co.

Paper Mill Playhouse also awards $7,000 in scholarships at the Rising Star Awards Presented by Investors Foundation.  Seven cash scholarships are given to outstanding individual students who plan to continue studying theater performance or technical theater in college. Paper Mill Playhouse is pleased to award a prize of $500 to a school receiving the 2024 Educational Impact Award, which acknowledges a school that successfully connects the musical to the district’s curriculum, using the production as a teaching tool for the greater student body and local community.  Through the Rising Star “Theater for Everyone” Inclusion and Access Award and a partnership with The Cultural Access Network of New Jersey, a project of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Paper Mill Playhouse also will present a cash award of $1,000 to a school to recognize excellence in the promotion and practice of creative inclusion of students and adults with disabilities as performers, designers, musicians and production staff. This award seeks to recognize and reward a school that takes steps to ensure their performances are accessible to audiences with disabilities.  Student Achievement Awards are given to outstanding student production designers, creative directors and technical theater technicians.  The Outstanding Educator Award garners a $1,000 prize for the recipients’ school theater programs.

Lastly, students receiving final nominations in the lead and supporting performance categories receive a scholarship to attend Paper Mill Playhouse’s competitive Summer Musical Theater Conservatory and New Voices Concert, a professional training program with advanced classes in singing, acting and dance.  New Voices offers the nominees an opportunity to perform on the main stage at Paper Mill Playhouse in the season finale concert celebrating the regional theater’s 85 seasons, “New Voices of 2024: Endless Ovations,” on July 26 & 27.  New Voices tickets are on sale at PaperMill.org.

The Rising Star Awards presented by Investors Foundation and Citizens Philanthropic Foundation are supported by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation.

Rising Star scholarships are made possible by Ruth Bedford in memory of Jane Burgio, The Mosser Family in in memory of late father and husband James K. Mosser, Walt Santner in honor of Janet Sovey, and the Douglas Michael Krueger Scholarship Fund.  The Theater for Everyone Inclusion and Access Award is supported by the New Jersey Cultural Access Network.

The Hearst Foundations are Paper Mill’s Education & Outreach Partner.

The Rising Star Awards are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, A Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, is a nationally renowned not-for-profit theater under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Michael Stotts (Executive Director). A beloved New Jersey arts institution since 1938, Paper Mill creates and produces groundbreaking new musicals and reimagined classics. Several productions have gone on to Broadway and launched national tours, including Disney’s Newsies, Honeymoon in Vegas, A Bronx Tale, Bandstand, The Great Gatsby and Les Misérables (25th Anniversary production). The theater is also the home to an award-winning center for musical theater education and artist training, with outreach programs that impact thousands of students each year. As one of the nation’s premier musical theaters, Paper Mill fosters a creative environment to advance the art form, educate students, develop future theater lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all. We acknowledge that our theater stands on the traditional land of the Lenni-Lenape, and we honor the Indigenous people who inhabited it for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

2024 RISING STAR AWARDS NOMINATIONS AND HONORABLE MENTIONS 
OUTSTANDING OVERALL PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL 

Final Nominations 
Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS, 42ND STREET
Academy of the Holy Angels, URINETOWN
Delaware Valley Reg. HS, NEWSIES
Mt. Olive HS, ROCK OF AGES
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY
St. Joseph Reg. HS, LES MISÉRABLES: SCHOOL EDITION
Summit HS, ANYTHING GOES

Honorable Mentions 
Cherry Hill HS East, MEAN GIRLS: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION
Morristown HS, MARY POPPINS

OUTSTANDING PERFORMER IN A FEMALE-IDENTIFIED LEADING ROLE 

Final Nominations 
Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS, 42ND STREET, Willow Dixson as “Peggy Sawyer”
Cherry Hill HS East, MEAN GIRLS: HS EDITION, Charlotte Lemaire as “Cady Heron”
Cherry Hill HS East, MEAN GIRLS: HS EDITION, Lily Tewfik as “Regina George”
Eastern Reg. HS, URINETOWN, Zoey Blackman as “Hope Cladwell”
OCVTS Grunin Performing Arts Academy, THE PROM, Kelly Clark as “Dee Dee Allen”
Pinelands Reg. HS, THE LITTLE MERMAID, Kali Tucker as “Ariel”
St. Peter’s Prep, HOW TO SUCCEED, Gabby Beredo as “Rosemary Pilkington”
Summit HS, ANYTHING GOES, Sarah Walsh as “Reno Sweeney”

Honorable Mentions 
Dwight-Englewood School, SPELLING BEE, Sophia Vemes as “Olive Ostrovsky”
Franklin HS, CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION, Teya Wright as “Velma Kelly”
Livingston HS, R + H’S CINDERELLA, Sylvie Friedman as “Ella”
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Olive Gomez as “Wednesday Addams”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMER IN A MALE-IDENTIFIED LEADING ROLE 

Final Nominations 
Delaware Valley Regional HS, NEWSIES, Dakota Krouse as “Jack Kelly”
Mt. Olive HS, ROCK OF AGES, Jack Scarsi as “Lonny Barnett”
Princeton HS, R + H’s CINDERELLA, Elliott Becker Peeler as “Beast”
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, David Gomez as “Gomez Addams”
Shawnee HS, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, Michael Lasovitz as “Don Lockwood”
St. Joseph Reg. HS, LES MISÉRABLES: SCHOOL EDITION, Jack Laux as “Javert”
St. Joseph Reg. HS, LES MISÉRABLES: SCHOOL EDITION, Liam Fahey as “Jean Valjean”

Honorable Mentions 

Gill St. Bernard’s School, SHE LOVES ME, John Besjak as “Georg Nowack”
Mt. St. Dominic Academy, ANASTASIA, Bridget Castano as “Dmitry”
Old Bridge HS, THE MUSIC MAN, Camryn Burniston as “Harold Hill”
Randolph HS, INTO THE WOODS, Brendan Angilello as “The Baker”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMER IN A FEMALE-IDENTIFIED SUPPORTING ROLE 

Final Nominations 
Eastern Reg. HS, URINETOWN, Sydney Steiner as “Penelope Pennywise”
Mary Help of Christians Academy, Matilda, Lily Kopacz as “Miss Honey”
Sayreville War Memorial HS, TUCK EVERLASTING, Gianna Roman as “Mae Tuck”
St. Joseph Reg. HS, LES MISÉRABLES: SCHOOL EDITION, Catherine Ryan as “Cosette”
St. Joseph Reg. HS, LES MISÉRABLES: SCHOOL EDITION, Maddie Heiniman as “Fantine”
Summit HS, ANYTHING GOES, Rosie Gaeta as “Hope Harcourt”
Verona HS, MEAN GIRLS: HS EDITION, Faith Brolly as “Janis Sarkisian”

Honorable Mentions 
Academy of the Holy Angels, URINETOWN, Ellie Finnegan as “Penelope Pennywise”
Pinelands Reg. HS, THE LITTLE MERMAID, Summer Hudak as “Ursula”
St. Joseph Reg. HS, LES MISÉRABLES: SCHOOL EDITION, Marlie J. McKenzie as “Eponine”
Westfield HS, HEATHERS: TEEN EDITION, Lily Erneta as “Heather McNamara”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMER IN A MALE-IDENTIFIED SUPPORTING ROLE 

Final Nominations 
Cherry Hill HS East, MEAN GIRLS: HS EDITION, Aviv Haroz as “Damian Hubbard”
Eastern Reg. HS, URINETOWN, Andrew Rickey as “Officer Lockstock”
Moorestown HS, MAMMA MIA! , Lucas Kirmsee as “Sam Carmichael”
Morris Knolls HS, LEGALLY BLONDE, Aidan Sales as “Professor Callahan”
Mt. Olive HS, ROCK OF AGES, Lincoln Vera as “Stacee Jaxx”
St. Joseph Reg. HS, LES MISÉRABLES: SCHOOL EDITION, Derek Bedell as “Marius”
Summit HS, ANYTHING GOES, Ben Schachne as “Moonface Martin”

Honorable Mentions 

Somerville HS, MEAN GIRLS: HS EDITION, Christian Fodor as “Damian Hubbard”
North Star Academy, CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION, Justin Mincy as “Billy Flynn”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A FEATURED ROLE 

Final Nominations 
Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS, 42ND STREET, Elyana Barroqueiro as “Ann Reilly”
Academy of the Holy Angels, URINETOWN, James Coleman as “Hot Blades Harry”
Academy of the Holy Angels, URINETOWN, Valentina Gonzalez as “Becky Two Shoes”
Columbia HS, MAMMA MIA!, Alonzo Gallo as “Pepper”
Delaware Valley Reg. HS, NEWSIES, Alex Apgar as “Race”
Immaculata HS, GODSPELL, Jewelia Taylor as” O Bless the Lord Solo”
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Ashley Hoberman as “Alice Beineke”

Honorable Mentions 

Hightstown HS, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, Lily Rivenburgh as “Pearl Krabs”
Morris Knolls HS, LEGALLY BLONDE, Marisa DeStefano as “Brooke Wyndham”
Summit HS, ANYTHING GOES, Ben Strauss as “Eli Whitney”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ENSEMBLE MEMBER 

Final Nominations 
Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS, 42ND STREET, Nicholas Hernandez as “Andy Lee”
Clearview Reg. HS, CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION, Adam Wax as “Emcee”
Delaware Valley Regional, NEWSIES, Maxim Verdicchio as “Albert”
Madison HS, MAMMA MIA!, Becca Axler as “Ali”
Morristown HS, MARY POPPINS, Charlotte Cama as “Bird Woman”
Mt. Olive HS, ROCK OF AGES, Juno Copen as “Protestor/Ensemble #4”
Piscataway HS, MEAN GIRLS: HS Edition, Savannah Weaver as “Taylor Wedell”

Honorable Mentions 
Eastern Reg. HS, URINETOWN, Dominic Giampetro as “Robby the Stockfish”
Wallkill Valley Reg. HS, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, Skylar Tomlin as “Cindy”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ENSEMBLE GROUP 

Final Nominations 
Academy of the Holy Angels, URINETOWN, “The Rebel Poor”
Franklin HS, CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION, “Merry Murderesses”
Morris Knolls HS, LEGALLY BLONDE, “Delta Nu Greek Chorus”
Morristown HS, MARY POPPINS, “Sweeps”
Somerville HS, MEAN GIRLS: HS EDITION, “Mathletes”
Summit HS, ANYTHING GOES,” Reno’s Angels”

Honorable Mentions 
Pope John XXIII Reg. HS, PIPPIN, “The Manson Trio”
Red Bank Catholic HS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, “The Ancestors”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CHORUS 

Final Nominations 
Academy for the Performing Arts at UCVTS, 42nd STREET
Academy of the Holy Angels, URINETOWN
Delaware Valley Reg. HS, NEWSIES
Gill St. Bernard’s School, SHE LOVES ME
Gloucester County Inst. Of Tech, BIG FISH
Ridge HS, SOMETHING ROTTEN!
Summit HS, ANYTHING GOES

Honorable Mentions 

Immaculate Heart Academy, MAMMA MIA!
Columbia HS, MAMMA MIA!

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ORCHESTRA 

Final Nominations 
Columbia HS, MAMMA MIA!
Eastern Reg. HS, URINETOWN
Howell HS, SHREK
Livingston HS, R + H CINDERELLA
Mt. Olive HS, ROCK OF AGES
Shawnee HS, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
Summit HS, ANYTHING GOES

Honorable Mentions 
Cherry Hill HS East, MEAN GIRLS: HS EDITION
Ewing HS., BETWEEN THE LINES
Ridge HS, SOMETHING ROTTEN!

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY A TEACHER OR OUTSIDE DIRECTOR 

Final Nominations 
Academy of Performing Arts at UCVTS, 42ND STREET, Steven Collins
Academy of the Holy Angels, URINETOWN, Katie Collins
Delaware Valley Reg. HS, NEWSIES, Clinton Ambs
Gill St. Bernard’s School, SHE LOVES ME, Paul H. Canada
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Morgan Knight
Summit HS, ANYTHING GOES, Anne Poyner

Honorable Mentions 
Cherry Hill HS East, MEAN GIRLS: HS EDITION, Peter Gambino, Sandi Makofsy
Morristown HS, MARY POPPINS, Stephanie Rubin

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC DIRECTION 

Final Nominations 
Academy of the Holy Angels, URINETOWN, George Croom
Cherry Hill HS East, MEAN GIRLS: HS EDITION, Heather Lockart
Gill St. Bernard’s School, SHE LOVES ME, Paul H. Canada, Jack Williams III
Gloucester County Inst. Of Tech, BIG FISH, Anthony Vitalo
Immaculate Heart Academy, MAMMA MIA! , Edward Ginter
Livingston HS, R + H’S CINDERELLA, Daniel King
Westfield HS, HEATHERS: TEEN EDITION, John Brzozowski

Honorable Mentions 
Piscataway HS, MEAN GIRLS: TEEN EDITION, Haley Lopez, Megan Suozzo
Mt. Olive HS, ROCK OF AGES, Matthew Vanzini

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHOREOGRAPHY AND STAGING 

Final Nominations 

Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS, 42ND STREET, Jensyn Modero
Delaware Valley Regional HS, NEWSIES, Heather Fleischman
Howell HS, SHREK, Brittany Cohen-Locke, Ella Clemenko
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Kyra Robinson
Summit HS ,   ANYTHING GOES ,  Kelly Mott-Sacks

Honorable Mentions 

Gloucester County Inst. Of Tech., BIG FISH, Erica Cavanaugh
Morristown HS, MARY POPPINS, Melanie Della Peruti

OUTSTANDING SCENIC ACHIEVEMENT 

Final Nominations 
Columbia HS, MAMMA MIA! ,  Louis J. Medrano
Gill St. Bernard’s School, SHE LOVES ME, Paul H. Canada
Princeton HS, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, Bridget Schmidt
Ridge HS, SOMETHING ROTTEN!,  James M. Stewart
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Joseph Napolitano
St. Joseph Reg. HS, LES MISÉRABLES: SCHOOL EDITION, Vincent Gunn

Honorable Mentions 
Christian Brothers Academy, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, Unlisted
Piscataway HS, MEAN GIRLS: TEEN EDITION, Matt Nickles
Summit HS, ANYTHING GOES, Vincent Gunn

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING ACHIEVEMENT 

Final Nominations 
Harrison HS, STARMITES: HIGH SCHOOL, Colin Shields
Immaculate Heart Academy, MAMMA MIA!,  Nikki Belenski
Madison HS, MAMMA MIA!  Cameron Filepas
Mt. Olive HS, ROCK OF AGES, Andrew Laudor
Princeton HS, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, Florencia Curchitser
St. Joseph Reg. HS, LES MISÉRABLES: SCHOOL EDITION, Asa Lipton, Michael Yesenosky
Westfield HS, HEATHERS: TEEN EDITION, Emily Clare Gocon, Keira Redmond

Honorable Mentions 
Ridge HS, SOMETHING ROTTEN!, Colin Berry
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Christian Confalone
Washington Township HS, THE PROM, Shawn McGovern

OUTSTANDING COSTUMING ACHIEVEMENT 

Final Nominations 
Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS, 42ND STREET, Steven Collins, Jensyn Modero
Academy of the Holy Angels, URINETOWN, Axcel Portillo
Gill St. Bernard’s School, SHE LOVES ME, Paul H. Canada
Harrison HS, STARMITES: HIGH SCHOOL, Mary Pat Shields
Morristown HS, MARY POPPINS, Brenda Burns
Summit HS, ANYTHING GOES, Luciana Mallozzi
Wallkill Valley Regional HS, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, Christine Molnar

Honorable Mentions 
Mt. Olive HS, ROCK OF AGES, Mary Ann Hannon
Ridge HS, SOMETHING ROTTEN! ,  Bonnie Grube
Sayreville War Memorial HS, TUCK EVERLASTING, Cynthia Gallagher

OUTSTANDING HAIR AND MAKE-UP ACHIEVEMENT 

Final Nominations 
Gill St. Bernard’s School, SHE LOVES ME, Unlisted
Harrison HS, STARMITES: HIGH SCHOOL, Colin Shields, Mary Pat Shields
Howell HS, SHREK, Shannon Naughton
Morristown HS, MARRY POPPINS, Malik Letta, Ollie Gonzalez
Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Frankie Dobies, Cast,
Summit HS, ANYTHING GOES, Zuleikha Reroma, Elisabeth Husveth

Honorable Mentions 
Gateway Reg. HS, SEUSSICAL, Unlisted
Pinelands Reg. HS, THE LITTLE MERMAID, Unlisted

OUTSTANDING SOLO PERFORMANCE (DIGITAL SUBMISSION) 

Final Nominations 
Bridgewater Raritan HS, “All For The Best”, GODSPELL, Cole Januzzi
Bridgewater Raritan HS, “By My Side”, GODSPELL, Indianna Lu
Cedar Creek HS, “Close Every Door”, JOSEPH, Matthew Goodrich
Memorial HS, “The Ballad of Farquaad”, SHREK, Isaiah Delgado
Memorial HS, “Forever”, SHREK, Karina Calderone,
Moorestown Friends School, “Diva’s Lament” Makenzie Kirby
Voorhees HS, “In My Life”, LES MISÉRABLES, Emily Denis
Voorhees HS, “Who Am I?”, LES MISÉRABLES, Nick Leyesa

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 
(20 finalists, 10 recipients will be announced)

Final Nominations 
Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS, 42ND STREET, Julie Cariello, Dramaturg
Delaware Valley Reg. HS, NEWSIES, Kacy Burd, Percussion/Scenic
Madison HS, MAMMA MIA!,  Leland Borcherding, Daania Fakhar, Lighting Assts.
Manasquan HS, INTO THE WOODS, Jessica Slovak, Student Choreographer
Marlboro HS, CHICAGO, Julia Catuogno, Production Stage Manager
Mt. Olive HS, ROCK OF AGES, Dylan Kovach, Ensemble Captain
North Star Academy, CHICAGO, Victoria Lockhart, Playbill Designer
Ocean Township HS, MEAN GIRLS, Maya Stein, Hair & Makeup
Piscataway HS, MEAN GIRLS, Scenic Artists
Princeton HS, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, Colin Lansky, Projection Designer
Princeton HS, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, Isabella Kolleeny, Lead Painter
Princeton HS, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, Florencia Curchitser, Lighting Designer
Randolph HS, INTO THE WOODS, Tingyu Yuan, Production Manager
Ridge HS, SOMETHING ROTTEN!  Morgan Wiehe, Costume Crew
Ridge HS, SOMETHING ROTTEN!  Shibani Sarkar, Production Stage Manager
Ridgefield Park Jr/Sr HS, CHICAGO, Ryan Flynn, Costume Designer
Shawnee HS, . SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, Michael Dowd, Film Assistant
Woodstown HS, BRIGADOON, Colin Schmidt, Stange Manager

Honorable Mentions 

Morristown HS, MARY POPPINS, Elizabeth Gillen, Vocal Captain
The Pingry School, INTO THE WOODS, Jessica Poprik, Violinist

THE EDUCATIONAL IMPACT AWARD 

Final Nominations 
Christian Brothers Academy, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL
Dumont HS, MEAN GIRLS: TEEN EDITION
Hillsborough HS, SOMETHING ROTTEN!
Madison HS, MAMMA MIA!
Morristown HS, MARY POPPINS
Summit HS, ANYTHING GOES

RISING STAR “THEATER FOR EVERYONE” INCLUSION AND ACCESS AWARD 

Final Nominations 
Clearview Reg. HS, CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION
Madison HS, MAMMA MIA!
Moorestown HS, MAMMA MIA!
Morristown HS, MARY POPPINS
Mt. Olive HS, ROCK OF AGES
West Milford Township HS, FOOTLOOSE

OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD 

Final Nominations 
Atlantic County Inst. Of Tech, Elizabeth Volpe
Butler HS, Kelsie Daniels
Madison HS, Blake Spence
Mount Olive HS, Jodi Bosch
North Star Academy, Jessica Lisboa
The Pingry School, Joseph Napolitano
Princeton HS, Julianna Krawiecki
Sayreville War Memorial HS, Laura DiStaulo

# # #

The post NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2024 RISING STAR AWARDS appeared first on Paper Mill Playhouse.

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE
COMPLETE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
ANNOUNCED FOR
PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE’S
AFTER MIDNIGHT
JANUARY 31–FEBRUARY 25, 2024
OPENING FEBRUARY 4, 2024

(December 20, 2023 – Millburn, NJ) – Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee– Producing Artistic Director; Michael Stotts– Executive Director), recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for After Midnight, co-directed by Dominique Kelley (PMP: The Great Gatsby; Denver Center: Oklahoma!) and Paper Mill Playhouse’s Associate Artistic Director Jen Bender (PMP: Honeymoon in Vegas; Broadway: The Lion King) and choreographed by Kelley. The production will play January 31 – February 25, 2024 at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive). Opening night is Sunday, February 4.

Conceived by Jack Viertel (former Artistic Director of City Center Encores!), this Jazz Age rhythm and dance extravaganza is an electrifying musical revue that transports you to the Cotton Club of the Harlem Renaissance, an unparalleled time in New York City when jazz and swing were king. After Midnight intertwines the poetry of Langston Hughes with songs from big-band legends Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Harold Arlen, Dorothy Fields, and more. The exhilarating score features such hits as “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love,” “Stormy Weather,” “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”

After Midnight will star Angela Birchett (PMP & Broadway: The Color Purple), Sasha Hutchings (Broadway: Hamilton, My Fair Lady), Joshua Lamar (Lyric Opera: West Side Story; HBO Max: “Legendary”), James T. Lane (Broadway: Chicago, The Scottsboro Boys), Stanley Martin (Broadway: Disney’s Aladdin; International Tour: West Side Story), Aramie Payton (Broadway: MJ: The Musical; National Tour: Dreamgirls), Destinee Rea (PMP: Disney’s Hercules; Broadway: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical), Awa Sal Secka (Signature Theatre: Ragtime, Gun & Powder), Liv Symone (Broadway: Disney’s Aladdin; Starz: “Power Book III: Raising Kanan”), Harris Matthew Turner (Broadway: MJ: The Musical, Disney’s Frozen), Jasmine Pearl Villaroel (Centre Theater: Tuck Everlasting; Fulton Theatre: Grease), and Anthony Wayne (Broadway: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Once on This Island).

The production features music direction by Sean Mayes (Broadway: MJ: The Musical, Hadestown), scenic and lighting design by Adam Honoré (Broadway: Purlie Victorious, Ain’t No Mo’), costume design by Azalea Fairley (Broadway: Hamilton, A Strange Loop), sound design by Sadah Espii Proctor (Broadway: Trouble in Mind; Off-Broadway: Daphne), and hair and wig design by Alfreda Howard (Netflix: “Mystery Science Theatre 3000;” Off-Broadway: Mrs. Murray’s Menagerie). Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting. RL Campbell is the Production Stage Manager.

Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2024 lineup also features Fiddler on the Roof (now – January 7, 2024), Gun & Powder (April 4– May 5, 2024), and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (June 5 – 30, 2024).

Paper Mill Playhouse offers its audiences the opportunity to enhance their theater experience with behind-the-scenes views of mainstage productions, including Q&As held live in the theater with cast members. Paper Mill Prologues and Director’s Viewpoint will be available to everyone on-demand in the Paper Mill Playhouse mobile app.

Award-winning access programs and services are available at all Paper Mill Playhouse productions, including audio-described performances, American Sign Language interpreted and open-captioned performances, Braille and large-print programs, and assistive listening devices.

Paper Mill Playhouse offers three-show subscription packages, starting at just $111. Each subscription package includes a different level of special benefits – see www.PaperMill.org for details. Accessibly priced youth subscriptions are available for children under 18 with the purchase of an adult subscription. Tickets and subscriptions may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, online at www.PaperMill.org, or at the box office.

Programs, dates, and artists are subject to change.

ABOUT PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE

PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is a nationally renowned not-for-profit theater under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Michael Stotts (Executive Director). A beloved New Jersey arts institution since 1938, Paper Mill creates and produces groundbreaking new musicals and reimagined classics. Several productions have gone on to Broadway and launched national tours, including Disney’s Newsies, Les Misérables, Honeymoon in Vegas, A Bronx Tale, and Bandstand. The theater is also the home to an award-winning center for musical theater education and artist training, with outreach programs that impact thousands of students each year. As one of the nation’s premier musical theaters, Paper Mill fosters a creative environment to advance the art form, educate students, develop future theater lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all. We acknowledge that our theater stands on the traditional land of the Lenni-Lenape, and we honor the Indigenous people who inhabited it for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2023-2024 Season

Fiddler on the Roof

Now–January 7, 2024

Book by Joseph Stein

Music by Jerry Bock

Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

Original Choreography by Jerome Robbins

Directed by Mark S. Hoebee

Reproduction Choreography by Parker Esse

This beloved classic is sure to charm and captivate the entire family. The Tony Award–winning musical is set in a Russian village in the home of Tevye, a Jewish husband and father striving to uphold his family’s religious and cultural traditions. Directed by Paper Mill Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee with the original choreography of Jerome Robbins, Fiddler on the Roof’s timeless score includes such favorites as “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “To Life (L’Chaim!),” and “Sunrise, Sunset.”

Based on Sholem Aleichem stories by special permission of Arnold Perl.

Produced on the New York Stage by Harold Prince.

Original New York Stage Production Directed and Choreographed by Jerome Robbins.

This production of Fiddler on the Roof was licensed by Music Theatre International.

New Musical

Gun & Powder

April 4 – May 5, 2024

Book and Lyrics by Angelica Chéri

Music by Ross Baum

Directed by Stevie Walker-Webb

Gun & Powder is a new musical inspired by the true story of Mary and Martha Clarke, African American twin sisters who take extraordinary measures to settle their mother’s sharecropper debt and save her home. In 1893 Texas, the Sisters Clarke—passing as white—embark on a remarkable Wild West adventure that examines race, family, and identity with two electrifying women who transformed from farm girls to outlaws to legends. Featuring book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri (a real-life descendant of Mary and Martha Clarke), music by Ross Baum, and direction by Obie winner Stevie Walker-Webb (Ain’t No Mo’).

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

June 5 – 30, 2024

Book by Douglas McGrath

Words and Music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil

Choreographed by Jennifer Werner

Directed by Casey Hushion

This Tony-nominated musical follows the early life and career of Carole King on her journey from teenage songwriter to chart-topping solo artist. King wrote for many of the biggest names in music, often alongside her husband, but it wasn’t until she made the leap from the writer’s room to the stage that she truly found her voice. This inspiring story of love, heartbreak, and empowerment features over two dozen hits, including “One Fine Day,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman.”

BIOGRAPHIES

Angela Birchett is excited to be back at Paper Mill Playhouse! She was last seen on the Paper Mill stage in 2018 in the first national tour of The Color Purple (2015 revival). Birchett made her Broadway debut with the show as well. Other credits include Hairspray, Dreamgirls, Once on This Island, Rent, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Grease. Television and film highlights include Lifetime’s “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel,” “Kirk Franklin’s A Gospel Christmas,” and “Kevin Can Wait” (CBS). Instagram: @angelabirchett

Sasha Hutchings is thrilled to make her Paper Mill debut with After Midnight. Sasha is a stage and television actress, teaching artist, and creative producer. She recently starred as Laurey Williams on the national tour of Oklahoma!. Sasha is an original cast member of Hamilton and is featured in the Disney+ “Hamilton” film. Additional Broadway credits include My Fair Lady, Rocky, Motown, and Memphis. Sasha stars as Hope on “Run the World” (Starz). Additional TV appearances include “Demascus” (SXSW premiere), “Fosse/Verdon,” “The Bold Type,” “Jessica Jones,” “Master of None,” and “Blue Bloods.”

Joshua Lamar began training at age eight in Los Angeles, CA, under the tutelage of Otis Sallid and Kyme Sallid. He is skilled in tap, ballet, African, contemporary, and modern; he has worked with world-renowned instructors and choreographers Debbie Allen, Tanisha Scott, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Kevin Iega Jeff, Judith Jamison, Alonzo King, Robert Garland, Andrea Long-Naidu, Michael Sheridan, Karen Brown, and more. Performance credits include a Comme des Garçons commercial, “Legendary” (seasons 2 and 3, HBO Max), Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, West Side Story (Lyric Opera), An American in Paris (Ogunquit Playhouse), Collage Dance Collective, Dance Theatre of Harlem (Second Company). Instagram: @joshualamarh

James T. Lane. West End: The Scottsboro Boys, A Chorus Line. Broadway: Chicago (Billy Flynn, Amos Hart); Kiss Me, Kate (Paul); King Kong; The Scottsboro Boys; A Chorus Line (Richie Walters). National Tours: Jersey Boys, Cinderella, Fame. Regional Theater: Mary Poppins (Bert, Drury Lane Theatre); The Wiz (Tin Man, Broadway at Music Circus, The Muny); The Little Mermaid (Sebastian) and Sister Act (The Muny). Concerts: Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops, Ottawa Symphony, and many more. Creator of the 2023 Audelco Award-winning Off-Broadway show Triple Threat. Mr. Lane teaches music theater dance when and wherever anyone will let him! www.jamestlane.com, Instagram: @jamestlane

Stanley Martin. Broadway: Disney’s Aladdin (original cast). Regional: Traffic & Weather (world premiere, Adirondack Theatre Festival), The Wiz (The Wiz), The Legend of Georgia McBride (Rexy), The Rocky Horror Show (Eddie), Something Rotten! (Minstrel), The Addams Family (Conquistador), The Music Man (Constable), Show Boat, Romeo and Juliet, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. National/International Tours: West Side Story, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Sophisticated Ladies. 2016 Metropolitan Cabaret Award winner for audience favorite. Cabarets: Green Eyed Soul and Smoke and Mirrors. Playwright: Opportunity at the Strawberry One-Act Festival, nominated for six awards including Best Play; won Best Director and Best Actress. @stanleymartinthethird

Aramie Payton is fresh from his Broadway debut as the original MJ standby at MJ: The Musical. Enjoying artistry in all facets, Payton has worked as a performer and creative around the world and revels in any chance to learn and share simultaneously. Tours: Dreamgirls, Flashdance, and Cruel Intentions. NYC: Bat Out of Hell (City Center). Regional: The Scottsboro Boys (Helen Hayes Award, Signature Theatre), Hairspray (Starlight), Mamma Mia! (Marriott). Film/TV: “Run the World,” “The Equalizer,” Triple Threat, “Wu Tang: An American Saga.” @mynameisaramie

Destinee Rea is a multidisciplinary artist, discoverer, and lover of culture. Her Broadway credits include Tina: The Tina Turner Musical; The Book of Mormon; and Amélie. You most recently saw her at Paper Mill in Disney’s Hercules as a beloved Muse. @destineeRea

Awa Sal Secka. NY workshops: Goddess (Zawadi), Grace (Jacqui). Berkeley Rep: Goddess (Zawadi). Signature Theatre: Ragtime (Sarah), Simply Sondheim, Gun & Powder (Flo), Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon). Kennedy Center: Rent in Concert (Joanne), Me… Jane (Maisie), Chasing the Wind (Abby, concert). Ford’s: Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife), The Wiz (Glinda/Dorothy u/s). Round House: School Girls… (Ama); Caroline, or Change (Dottie). Theater J: Intimate Apparel (Mayme). Imagination: …Charlie Brown (Lucy). ArtsCentric: The Last Five Years (Cathy), Aida (Aida), Memphis (Felicia). Baltimore Center Stage: Glorious World… (Lady 3). Studio: Silence! (Ardelia). Olney: Cowriter of The Joy That Carries You (2023 Helen Hayes Award), concerts of Dessa Rose (Dessa) and Children of Eden (Eve). Rep: Nicolosi & Co. Instagram: _kujichagulia_

Liv Symone is thrilled to be making her Paper Mill debut this season! She is a proud graduate of Howard University. Recent credits include “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” on Starz and Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway. Liv is excited to return to the stage in After Midnight with this fierce team! Instagram: @livsymone

Harris Matthew is thrilled to be making his Paper Mill Playhouse debut! A performer hailing from Rochester, New York, he began dancing at two years old at the Rochester Association for the Performing Arts (RAPA) and hasn’t stopped since. After studying at Point Park University, Harris has traveled the globe performing and was most recently seen in the Broadway smash hit MJ: The Musical. Broadway/touring credits include Disney’s Frozen, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Ain’t Too Proud, Hair 50th Anniversary (Sydney Opera House), Vegas! The Show, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Garth Fagan Dance. @harrismturner

Jasmine Pearl Villaroel is endlessly grateful to be making her Paper Mill debut in After Midnight! As a junior in the Musical Theater BFA program at Temple University, Jasmine has recently appeared in Once on This Island (Ti Moune), Xanadu (Euterpe), and Head Over Heels (Mopsa). Other credits include Cha-Cha DiGregorio in Grease (Fulton Theatre) and ensemble in Tuck Everlasting (Centre Theater). Instagram: @jasmine.villaroel

Anthony Wayne is thrilled to make his Paper Mill Playhouse debut. Broadway: Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Raymond), Tootsie, Once on This Island, Pippin, Anything Goes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Jimmy). Off-Broadway: Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical (Sylvester), A Chorus Line (Richie, NY City Center). Regional: Mary Poppins (Bert), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Andre, Cape Playhouse), Guys and Dolls (Kennedy Center, DC). Black Broadway Men Inc. (executive director, @BlackBroadwayMen). www.MrAWayne.com, Instagram: @MrAWayne. Norfolk, Virginia native.

Dominique Kelley (Choreographer & Co-director) is jazzed to return to Paper Mill after choreographing the recent world premiere of The Great Gatsby. His other theater credits include Oklahoma!, Indecent, and Rattlesnake Kate (Denver Center); Sophisticated Ladies and Singin’ in the Rain (Zach Theatre); Wild Women Blues (Germany); and Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Ebony Rep). Favorite TV: “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special,” “SYTYCD,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Perry Mason,” “The Masked Singer,” “American Music Awards,” “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” Recording artist choreography: Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Usher, P!nk, FKA Twigs, Camila Cabello. Film: Gone with the Bullets, Jo Bole So Nihaal. Cirque du Soleil’s Volta. Sports team choreography: NY Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, L.A. Clippers, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Rockets, L.A. Chargers.

Jen Bender (Co-director) is the Associate Artistic Director at Paper Mill Playhouse. Paper Mill: Honeymoon in Vegas (Associate Director). Broadway: The Lion King, Avenue Q (Resident Director); Honeymoon in Vegas, The Wedding Singer, Steel Magnolias (Associate/Assistant Director). Regional: Godspell (Muny); Rent, Grease (Surflight Theatre). For three years, Jen traveled around the world as the Assistant Artistic Director for Cirque du Soleil’s Ovo. Prior to Paper Mill, she was the Senior Vice President of Production and Development at The Araca Group and a co-founder of the New York Musical Festival and Broadway in South Africa. Jen is an adjunct professor at New York University and a graduate of Northwestern University.

Sean Mayes (Music Director). Based between New York and Toronto, Sean Mayes enjoys a career internationally as a conductor, music supervisor, music director, orchestrator, arranger, composer, author, and educator, spanning numerous musical styles between Broadway, theater, opera, classical, and pops. Select credits include MJ and Hadestown (Broadway); The Color Purple (conductor, Canadian regional premiere); Ali (music supervisor); Rent: In Concert (music supervisor, Kennedy Center); Come From Away (music supervisor, Finland); Aportia Chryptych (composer, music supervisor, Canadian Opera Company); Fall on Your Knees (composer, music supervisor, Canadian national tour); Afropunk’s Black HERstory (music supervisor, Lincoln Center); André De Shields with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (orchestrations, music director). @maestromayes

Jack Viertel (Concept) was artistic director of City Center Encores!, where After Midnight was developed, from 2000 to 2020. He also was creative director and senior vice president of Jujamcyn Theaters, where he worked on productions as varied as Angels in America, Guys and Dolls, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and six August Wilson plays, beginning with the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Piano Lesson. He was the dramaturg for Hairspray, conceived Smokey Joe’s Cafe, and began as a theater critic in Los Angeles.

Adam Honoré (Scenic & Lighting Design) is a Harlem-based designer for the stage. Recent Broadway: Purlie Victorious, Ain’t No Mo’, Chicken & Biscuits. Select Off-Broadway: Jelly’s Last Jam (City Center Encores!), Flex (Lincoln Center), This Land Was Made (Vineyard Theatre), Patience (Second Stage), Ain’t No Mo’ (The Public), Carmen Jones (Classic Stage Co.). Regional: Alliance Theater, Arena Stage, Asolo Rep, Barrington Stage Co., Center Theatre Group, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Cleveland Play House, Dallas Theater Center, Geffen Playhouse, Goodspeed Musicals, Hartford Stage, Huntington Theatre Co., Shakespeare Theatre Co., Signature Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival. Nominations: Drama Desk, Elliot Norton, Henry Hewes, Helen Hayes, Suzi Bass. @itsadamhonore

Azalea Fairley (Costume Design) is a New Orleans–born, NYC-based costume designer. Selected Off-Broadway and regional credits include shadow/land (Public Theater); Eternal Life Part 1 (Wilma Theater, PA); Clyde’s (George Street Playhouse, NJ); Detroit ’67 and School Girls… (TheatreSquared, AR); Blood Knot (Flat Rock Playhouse, NC); By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center); 10×10 New Play Festival (Barrington Stage, MA); What Lies Beneath (On Site Opera, NYC); TJ Loves Sally 4 Ever (Jack Theater, NYC; NYT Critic’s Pick). Broadway assistant: Hamilton, A Strange Loop (2022 Tony Award winner for Best Musical). Film: The Rainbow Experiment, Paris in Harlem. Nominations: Audelco, Barrymore, Henry Awards. Member of USA 829. Azalea-Fairley.com

Sadah Espii Proctor (Sound Design) is a multimedia director and sound designer working in performance, installations, and immersive experiences. Broadway: Trouble in Mind (assistant sound designer). Off-Broadway: Daphne (LCT3); The Cotillion (New Georges/The Movement Theatre Company); Notes on Killing Seven Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Board Members (Soho Rep/ The Sol Project). Regional: we are continuous (Geva Theatre); The Gradient (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis). Installation: Soul Tree Forest (Yerba Buena Center for the Arts); public/private (NEW INC). Upcoming: Sound Place Love (Baden Abraham and Gordon Hempton); Flying Afrikans + Other Urban Legends (André M. Zachery). Nominations: Audelco, St. Louis Theatre Circle. @espiistudios

Alfreda Howard (Hair & Wig Design).

RL Campbell (Production Stage Manager). (he/him) Paper Mill Playhouse debut! Upcoming: A Wonderful World. Broadway: Bring It On. National Tours: A Soldier’s Play, Pretty Woman, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, Bring It On, Tyler Perry’s Hell Hath No Fury…. Off-Off-Broadway: The Choking Game. Regional: CTG/Ahmanson, Alliance Theatre, Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre, The Wallis, Ogunquit Playhouse, Theatre Emory, Horizon Theatre, Theatre in the Square, Utah Festival Opera.

Tara Rubin Casting (Casting). Paper Mill: Rent, Hercules, Unmasked, Chasing Rainbows, The Sting, Bandstand, A Bronx Tale, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Can-Can, Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Tour. Selected Broadway and National Tours: The Heart of Rock and Roll, The Wiz, The Outsiders, The Who’s Tommy, Water for Elephants, Back to the Future, Here Lies Love, Bad Cinderella, Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, KPOP, Mr. Saturday Night, Six, Ain’t Too Proud, The Band’s Visit, Sunset Boulevard, Miss Saigon, Dear Evan Hansen, Cats, School of Rock, Aladdin, Billy Elliot, Spamalot, …Spelling Bee, The Producers, Mamma Mia!, Jersey Boys, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera. Selected Off-Broadway: Buena Vista Social Club, The Gardens of Anuncia, Sing Street.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

After Midnight
Conceived by Jack Viertel

Selected Text by Langston Hughes

Music by Duke Ellington, Jimmy McHugh, Harold Arlen and others

Co-directed by Dominique Kelley and Jen Bender

Choreography by Dominique Kelley

Music Direction by Sean Mayes

Scenic and Lighting Design by Adam Honoré

Costume Design by Azalea Fairley

Sound Design by Sadah Espii Proctor

Hair & Wig Design by Alfreda Howard

Casting by Tara Rubin Casting

Production Stage Management by RL Campbell

January 31 – February 25, 2024
Opening Night: Sunday, February 4 at 7:00 PM
Paper Mill Playhouse

22 Brookside Drive

Millburn, NJ 07041
Ticket Information: papermill.org/fiddler

WEBSITE/SOCIAL ACCOUNTS

 Website: PaperMill.org

Facebook: facebook.com/PaperMillPlayhouse

Instagram: instagram.com/PaperMillPlayhouse

YouTube: youtube.com/user/PaperMillPlayhouse

TikTok: tiktok.com/@PaperMillPlayhouse

Twitter: twitter.com/Paper_Mill

MEDIA CONTACTS

The Press Room – 212-763-7724

Contact: Jim Byk / Kelly Guiod / Louisa Pancoast 

# # #

The post After Midnight Press Announcement appeared first on Paper Mill Playhouse.

THE ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF THE NEW MUSICAL
THE GREAT GATSBY
STARRING TONY AWARD-NOMINATED BROADWAY SENSATIONS
JEREMY JORDAN & EVA NOBLEZADA
WILL OPEN ON BROADWAY THIS SPRING
AT THE BROADWAY THEATRE

“A DAZZLING, LUSH, AND BEWITCHING PRODUCTION! Jeremy Jordan’s Gatsby is grounded and debonair, which makes it all the more thrilling when his voice scurries up to a delicious falsetto. Eva Noblezada captures Daisy’s longing with an emotive and powerful voice.”
–The New York Times
“A TRIUMPH! Smartly written, sharply directed, expertly performed,
and TEEMING WITH EXCITEMENT AND DRAMA,
this musical adaptation explodes off the stage!”
– The Star Ledger
“RESPLENDENCE ABOUNDS in this INTELLIGENT, WITTY, and GORGEOUS
new musical. Do all you can to grab a ticket!”
–New Jersey Stage
“A SURE-FIRE HIT! This exceptional new musical is destined to become a treasured addition to American musical theatre.”
–Broadway World
“Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada are SIMPLY SENSATIONAL!”
–New York Stage Review

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT TELECHARGE.COM

(New York, NY – January 16, 2024 at 10:00AM ET) The lead producer Chunsoo Shin, an acclaimed, award-winning producer and prominent figure of Korean theatre, is thrilled to announce the acclaimed new musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s landmark novel The Great Gatsby will open on Broadway this spring, starring Tony Award-nominated Broadway sensations Jeremy Jordan
(Newsies, “Smash”) and Eva Noblezada (Hadestown, Miss Saigon). Direct from a record-shattering, sold-out world premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse last fall, the show features music & lyrics by Tony Award nominees Nathan Tysen (Paradise Square) & Jason Howland (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Little Women), a book by Jonathan Larson Grant winner Kait Kerrigan (The Mad Ones), and is staged by award-winning director Marc Bruni (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) and choreographer Dominique Kelley (“Mariah’s Magical Christmas Special”, “Dancing with the Stars”). The musical begins previews on Friday, March 29, 2024, and is set to open on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at The Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway). Tickets are now on sale at Telecharge.com.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless, seminal novel comes to the Broadway musical stage for the first time ever, in the “dazzling, lush and bewitching production” (New York Times), The Great Gatsby. Transporting audiences to the lavish Roaring Twenties, the story follows eccentric and mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby, who will stop at nothing in the pursuit of the lost love of his youth, Daisy Buchanan. Through its fascinatingly nuanced characters, driven by complex inner lives erupting with extravagance and longing – this epic tale has always been destined to sing. Now, it finally comes to life on the greatest American stage, through an electrifying jazz and pop-infused score, and a grand production befitting the 21st century.

One of the most popular novels of all time, The Great Gatsby is a New York Times and USA Today perennial best seller. It has sold over 30 million copies worldwide since its release in 1925 and continues to sell over 500,000 per year. The novel has been translated into over 42 different languages, and has been adapted into television shows, radio plays, video games, and multiple films – including the acclaimed Baz Luhrmann feature film starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Chunsoo Shin, the lead producer of The Great Gatsby musical, says, “I am passionate about producing this show because it provides a modern audience with the true essence of idealism that is expressed eloquently in the novel and now on stage. The Great Gatsby is a masterpiece that grows and changes as it’s experienced by each new generation, in every culture, and people — and yet, still maintains its uniqueness, with its fascinating characters that burst with vitality. The entire team behind The Great Gatsby is beyond thrilled to present this timeless, glamourous, and resplendent production on Broadway — that is becoming even more refined, resonant, and expressive, following our world premiere production.”

The world premiere engagement of The Great Gatsby was the highest grossing show in Paper Mill Playhouse history. The production, which ran October 12–November 12, 2023, also broke the theater’s all-time record for ticket sales in a single day, and sold out the entire run before its very first performance. The New York Times hailed the production as “dazzling, lush, and bewitching… Jeremy Jordan’s Gatsby is grounded and debonair, which makes it all the more thrilling when his voice scurries up to a delicious falsetto. Eva Noblezada captures Daisy’s longing with an emotive and powerful voice.” The musical was lauded by The Star Ledger as, “a triumph! Smartly written, sharply directed, expertly performed, and teeming with excitement and drama, this musical adaptation explodes off the stage!” New York Stage Review declared Jordan and Noblezada, “simply sensational,” and Broadway World said, “this exceptional new musical is destined to become a treasured addition to American musical theatre.”

The Broadway premiere of The Great Gatsby will feature scenic & projection design by Paul Tate de Poo III (Spamalot, Tommy at The Kennedy Center), costume design by Tony Award winner Linda Cho (Anastasia, A Gentleman’s Guide…), lighting design by Cory Pattak (Spamalot), sound design by Tony Award winner Brian Ronan (Beautiful, The Book of Mormon), hair & wig design by Drama Desk Award winner Charles G. LaPointe (The Cher Show, Spongebob Squarepants) & Rachael Geier. Arrangements are by Jason Howland, Orchestrations are by Jason Howland and Kim Scharnberg (Jekyll & Hyde), the Music Director is Daniel Edmonds (Strictly Ballroom), and the music producer is Grammy Award winner Billy Jay Stein for Strike Audio (Beautiful – cast album).

Casting is by C12 Casting (Gutenberg, & Juliet) and the Production Stage Manager is Brian Bogin (The Great Comet, Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & The Pool). Mark Shacket (Funny Girl, Slave Play) of Foresight Theatrical serves as Executive Producer.

Tickets for the Broadway production are now on sale at Telecharge.com. The regular performance schedule is: Mondays at 7pm, Wednesdays at 7pm, Thursdays at 2pm & 8pm, Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm. The preview & holiday schedules may vary. The ticket range is $39–199 (incl. $2 facility fee).

BIOGRAPHIES:

JEREMY JORDAN (Gatsby) starred as a series regular in CW’s “Supergirl”, NBC’s “Smash” and Disney’s “Tangled”. He’s best-known on Broadway for his Tony and Grammy-nominated portrayal of Jack Kelly in Newsies. Recently, he starred as Seymour in the acclaimed New York production of Little Shop of Horrors. Films include The Last 5 Years opposite Anna Kendrick, Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, American Son with Kerry Washington, and Spinning Gold. Additional Broadway credits include Bonnie & Clyde (Theatre World Award), West Side Story, Waitress, American Son, and Rock of Ages. Jeremy’s concerts and cabaret shows have won raves and awards worldwide, and he’s the lead singer of the new rock band, Age of Madness. Follow @JeremyMJordan for all updates.

EVA NOBLEZADA (Daisy) won a Grammy and was nominated for a Tony for starring on Broadway in Hadestown. It was Eva’s second Tony nomination in her first two Broadway roles, following her earlier nod in 2017 for the title role of Miss Saigon. She was featured in the Amblin feature, Easter Sunday, and as the lead in the AppleTV+ animated film, Luck. Previously, she starred for director Diane Paragas in the acclaimed Sony Pictures film, Yellow Rose. She also starred in the West End revivals of Miss Saigon and Les Misérables.

CHUNSOO SHIN (Producer) Acclaimed Korean theatre producer, Chunsoo Shin is the founder and president of OD Company, the global theatre producing company in South Korea. A game changer in the Korean musical market, and the most influential musical producer in Korea’s theater industry, Chunsoo Shin is the first musical producer to be awarded the Korean Pop Culture and Arts Prime Minister Award, South Korea’s most prestigious prize for popular culture and arts awarded by the government. Additionally, Chunsoo Shin is the first Korean producer to become a lead producer on Broadway. His major international credits include — Broadway: The Great Gatsby, Doctor Zhivago, Holler If Ya Hear Me; Korea: Sweeney Todd, Man of La Mancha, Jekyll & Hyde, Dream Girls, Titanic, The Story of My Life, and more; In Development: The Lights in Firenze, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (La Jolla), and more. With his extensive producing experience, Chunsoo Shin is the founder and current Chairman of Korean Association of Musical Producers (KAMP – South Korea’s league of musical producers). More information at https://www.odmusical.com/?language=eng

JASON HOWLAND (Music, Arrangements, Co-Orchestrator) is a Grammy Award-winning producer, Emmy Award-winning arranger, and Tony-nominated composer & producer. Composer: Paradise Square (Tony Nomination for Best Original Score), the Tony-nominated Little Women – The Musical, Ikiru, Last Days of Summer and the streaming hit, A Killer Party. Upcoming: Shucked on Broadway, Captain Nemo in Seoul, Tokyo Love Story in Tokyo. Howland won an Emmy for “Handel’s Messiah Rocks” for PBS, was nominated for a Tony Award for co-producing The Lonesome West by Martin McDonagh, and won a Grammy in 2015 for producing the Original Cast Album of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, for which he is also the Arranger and Music Supervisor (Broadway, West End, US National Tour, Tokyo, Australian National Tour, UK National Tour). As musical supervisor/director/conductor and arranger: Broadway’s Bonnie and Clyde, Wonderland, Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables, The Civil War, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Boy George’s Taboo and guest conductor for Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. Recording projects include: May’n’s latest album, Megumi Hamada’s Attitude (Producer, arranger, conductor); the Grammy-nominated cast album of Jekyll & Hyde (Musical Director/Conductor/Vocal Arranger); The Dreams in You for the September 11th Fund (Producer, Composer); The Scarlet Pimpernel (OBC; Associate Producer/Additional Arrangements); Atlantic Records’ release of The Civil War (Choral Conductor, Arranger); Jekyll & Hyde: The Complete Work (Vocal Arranger); the solo album for acclaimed international harpist Jung Kwak (Conductor); and Linda Eder’s albums Christmas Stays the Same and It’s Time (Arranger/Pianist/Vocal Arranger).

NATHAN TYSEN (Lyrics) is a Tony and Grammy-nominated songwriter. His Broadway credits include Paradise Square (Tony Nomination), Amélie, Tuck Everlasting. West End: Amélie (Olivier & Grammy Nominations). Off-Broadway: The Burnt Part Boys (Playwrights Horizons & Vineyard Theatre), Fugitive Songs, Stars of David. Regional: The Great Gatsby (Paper Mill Playhouse), Dreamland (or a musical riff on Shakespeare’s Midsummer set during the declassification of Area 51), Stillwater (with his band Joe’s Pet Project), The Mysteries of Harris Burdick (Barrington Stage Co.), and two circuses for Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey. TV/Film: A Killer Party, Sesame Street (Emmy Nomination), Elmo’s World, The Electric Company. Upcoming: Love is Strange, Blown Sideways Through Life, Revival, The Untitled Joe Hill Project. Awards from the Kleban, Ebb, Rodgers, and Larson Foundations, as well as Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, and Lucille Lortel Award nominations. Writer and director for Lovewell Institute, creating original musicals with young adults. MFA NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program, BFA Missouri State Univ, proud member of the Dramatist Guild. Husband to writer Kait Kerrigan, father to Lucy and Tess. www.nathantysen.com IG: @doctorpickles

KAIT KERRIGAN (Book) is an award-winning bookwriter, lyricist, and playwright. West End: additional lyrics for The Time Traveller’s Wife (score by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart and book by Lauren Gunderson). Off-Broadway: book and lyrics for The Mad Ones, and Henry And Mudge. Regional: musicals include Justice (Marin Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company); Earthrise (The Kennedy Center); Rosie Revere, Engineer, And Friends (TheatreworksUSA); plays include Father/Daughter (Aurora Theatre), Imaginary Love (Hapgood Theatre) and Digital: A Killer Party. Her immersive house party The Bad Years (book and lyrics) had two sold-out pop-up productions in Brooklyn. Albums include The Mad Ones, Kerrigan-Lowdermilk Live, and Our First Mistake, which hit #1 on the digital charts. Her songs including “Run Away with Me” and “Go Tonight” have had millions of listens and views on digital platforms. Awards: Kleban Award for libretto, Jonathan Larson Award for lyric-writing, Most Promising Lyricist Award from the Theatre Hall of Fame, Edgerton Award for Father/Daughter. She has held residencies at Page 73, Dramatists Guild Fellows, Rhinebeck, Goodspeed’s Johnnie Mercer Project, and MacDowell. She is an alumna of Barnard College and the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop and a member of the Dramatists Guild. @kaitkerrigan on social media.

DOMINIQUE KELLEY (Choreographer) A powerhouse choreographer in the world of musical theater, television, live performance, sports entertainment and beyond, Kelley boasts 30+ years of industry experience. An avid tap dancer and percussionist, he performed in the national tour of Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk at age 15. He has gone on to collaborate with recording artists such as Beyonce’, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Usher, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, P!nk, Camila Cabello, Gwen Stefani, Taylor Swift, FKA Twigs, Miley Cyrus, Frank Ocean, Nelly, Cee Lo Green, B.o.B, and Flo Rida. A two-time Henry Award and two-time Broadway World Award winner, for the stage he has choreographed Oklahoma! (DCPA), the world premiere of Rattlesnake Kate (DCPA), Indecent (DCPA), Priscilla: Queen of the Desert (ZACH), Singin’ in The Rain
(ZACH), Ain’t Misbehavin (ERT) (Rubicon) and Sophisticated Ladies (ZACH). Taking his love of musical theater and commercial dance, Kelley has also created movement for movies such as Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, Jump The Broom, and Gone With the Bullets, China’s first ever 3D blockbuster film. For television he has choreographed for “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special”, “Dancing with the Stars”, “So You Think You Can Dance”, “Perry Mason”, “Come Dance with Me”, “Alter Ego”, “I Can See Your Voice”, “Flirty Dancing”, “The Masked Singer”, “American Music Awards”, “Bar Rescue” and, for the past 16 years, the NFL’s Pro Bowl Game for 16 years. He has also been one of the main choreographers for the cheer and dance teams for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angles Chargers, Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, New York City Knicks, Boston Celtics, LA Clippers, and more.

MARC BRUNI (Director) directed the Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award winning Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway, in the West End, US and UK Tours, and in Australia where he won the Helpmann Award and Green Room Awards for Best Direction of a Musical. He also directed Trevor: The Musical which was filmed Off Broadway at Stage 42 and now streams on Disney+. Bruni’s other directing credits include Guys and Dolls, The Music Man, How to Succeed in Business…, 50 Years of Broadway (Kennedy Center), Hey, Look Me Over!, Paint Your Wagon, Pipe Dream and Fanny (City Center Encores!), Love All (La Jolla), The Tale of Despereaux (with PigPen Theatre Co, Old Globe, Berkeley Rep), The Explorers Club (Manhattan Theater Club), Roman Holiday (Golden Gate), The Sound of Music (Chicago Lyric Opera, Theatre Aspen), The Nutty Professor, (Ogunquit), Old Jews Telling Jokes (Westside Theatre and Royal George in Chicago- Jeff Award nom for Direction), Ordinary Days (Roundabout Underground), and 9 shows for the St. Louis MUNY with two Kevin Kline Nominations for direction. He also directed the web musical A Killer Party with this writing team. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and proud member of SDC.

MARK SHACKET (Executive Producer) is a partner at Foresight Theatrical, providing General Management and Executive Producing services for Broadway and other live entertainment. Mark has served as executive producer and/or General Manager for numerous productions including New York, New York, Funny Girl, POTUS: Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, Slave Play, and King Kong. Mark is a member of the board of Broadway Cares, having co-founded its annual poker charity event Broadway Bets, which has raised over $1.5 million. He is a member of The Broadway League and serves on its Labor Committee.
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COMPLETE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
ANNOUNCED FOR PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE’S
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
FEATURING JEROME ROBBINS’
ORIGINAL CHOREOGRAPHY

DECEMBER 6, 2023 – JANUARY 7, 2024
OPENING DECEMBER 10, 2023

(October 26, 2023 – Millburn, NJ) – Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee– Producing Artistic Director; Michael Stotts– Executive Director), recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for its holiday season production of the beloved musical Fiddler on the Roof, directed by Paper Mill Playhouse’s Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee. The production will play December 6, 2023 – January 7, 2024 at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive). Opening night is Sunday, December 10.

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, Fiddler on the Roof features a book by Joseph Stein, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. Paper Mill’s production showcases the original Tony-winning choreography by Jerome Robbins, marking the first time Fiddler on the Roof will be seen on the Paper Mill stage in 40 years.

Fiddler on the Roof will star Jordan Gelber (PMP: Holiday Inn; Broadway: Avenue Q, Mr. Saturday Night; TV: “Elementary”) as Tevye, Jill Abramovitz (PMP: Ever After; Broadway: Beetlejuice) as Golde, Alexandra Socha (Broadway: Spring Awakening; TV: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as Tzeitel, Austen Danielle Bohmer (Broadway: Diana; TV: “FBI: Most Wanted”) as Hodel, Maya Jacobson (Off Broadway: Fidler Afn Dakh; Studio Theatre: Fun Home) as Chava, Etai Benson (Broadway: Company, The Band’s Visit; Wicked) as Motel, David R. Gordon (1st National Tours: Flashdance, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Perchik, Suzanne Grodner (PMP: Sunrise at Campobello; Broadway: Beautiful) as Yente, Jeremy Radin (Film: The Way Back; TV: “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) as Lazar Wolf, and Andrew Alstat (PMP: The Sound of Music; Cape Playhouse: Grease) as Fyedka.

The ensemble cast includes Paloma Maia Aisenberg, Sophie Aknin, Ari Axelrod, Ze’ev Barmor, Sabrina Brush, Michael Bullard, Mark Campbell, Will Stephan Connell, Nick Davis, Ira Denmark, Alex Dorf, Derek Ege, Carley Gilbert, Emerson Glick, Blair Goldberg, Susan J. Jacks, Michał Kołaczkowski, Kyra Leeds, Beatrice Owens, Nick Raynor, Anna Grace Rosenthal, and Price Waldman.

Fiddler on the Roof is set in the small Russian village of Anatevka, home to Tevye, a Jewish husband and father striving to uphold his family’s religious and cultural traditions, and his daughters. The timeless score includes such favorites as “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “To Life (L’Chaim!),” and “Sunrise, Sunset.”A beloved family classic rich with the warmth of a family’s love.

The production features reproduction choreography by Parker Esse (Broadway: Finian’s Rainbow, A Tale of Two Cities) and music direction by Jillian Zack (PMP: Songs for a New World; Broadway: Funny Girl), as well as scenic design by Kelly James Tighe (PMP: The Sound of Music; Off Broadway: Shadowlands), costume design by Leon Dobkowski (PMP: Beauty and the Beast; Off Broadway: Rock & Roll Man), lighting design by Charlie Morrison (PMP: On Your Feet!; National Tour: How the Grinch Stole Christmas) and Jason M. Flamos (PMP: The Producers, Sister Act; Off Broadway: The Other Josh Cohen), sound design by Sun Hee Kil (Broadway: Choir Boy; Off Broadway: Suffs), hair and wig design by Leah J. Loukas (PMP: The Sound of Music; Broadway: Hadestown), and fight and intimacy direction by Rick Sordelet (PMP: The Wanderer; Broadway: Take Me Out). Casting is by JZ Casting. Melissa Chacón is the Production Stage Manager.

Based on Sholem Aleichem stories by special permission of Arnold Perl.
Produced on the New York Stage by Harold Prince.
Original New York Stage Production Directed and Choreographed by Jerome Robbins.
This production of Fiddler on the Roof was licensed by Music Theatre International.

Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2023-2024 lineup also features The Great Gatsby (now – November 12, 2023), After Midnight (January 31 – February 25, 2024), Gun & Powder (April 4– May 5, 2024), and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (June 5 – 30, 2024).

Paper Mill Playhouse offers its audiences the opportunity to enhance their theater experience with behind-the-scenes views of mainstage productions, including Q&As held live in the theater with cast members. Paper Mill Prologues and The Director’s Viewpoint will be available to everyone on-demand in the Paper Mill Playhouse mobile app.

Award-winning access programs and services are available at all Paper Mill Playhouse productions, including audio-described performances, American Sign Language interpreted and open-captioned performances, Braille and large-print programs, and assistive listening devices.

Paper Mill Playhouse offers three- and four-show subscription packages, available now starting at just $111. Each subscription package includes a different level of special benefits – see www.PaperMill.org for details. Accessibly priced youth subscriptions are available for children under 18 with the purchase of an adult subscription. Tickets and subscriptions may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, online at www.PaperMill.org, or at the box office.

Programs, dates, and artists are subject to change.

ABOUT PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE

PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is a nationally renowned not-for-profit theater under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Michael Stotts (Executive Director). A beloved New Jersey arts institution since 1938, Paper Mill creates and produces groundbreaking new musicals and reimagined classics. Several productions have gone on to Broadway and launched national tours, including Disney’s Newsies, Les Misérables, Honeymoon in Vegas, A Bronx Tale, and Bandstand. The theater is also the home to an award-winning center for musical theater education and artist training, with outreach programs that impact thousands of students each year. As one of the nation’s premier musical theaters, Paper Mill fosters a creative environment to advance the art form, educate students, develop future theater lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all. We acknowledge that our theater stands on the traditional land of the Lenni-Lenape, and we honor the Indigenous people who inhabited it for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2023-2024 Season
World Premiere

The Great Gatsby
October 12 – November 12, 2023
Music by Jason Howland
Lyrics by Nathan Tysen
Book by Kait Kerrigan
Choreographed by Dominique Kelley
Directed by Marc Bruni

This world-premiere musical adaptation of the acclaimed novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald tells the impassioned tale of eccentric and mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby in his tragic pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, the woman he’s loved since his youth. Directed by Marc Bruni (Beautiful), this story of extravagance and longing in the lavish Roaring Twenties features a book by Kait Kerrigan (The Mad Ones) and a jazz- and pop-influenced original score by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen (Paradise Square).

After Midnight
January 31 – February 25, 2024
Conceived by Jack Viertel
Selected Text by Langston Hughes
Music by Duke Ellington, Jimmy McHugh, Harold Arlen and others

This electrifying musical revue transports you to the Cotton Club of the Harlem Renaissance, an unparalleled time in New York City when jazz and swing were king. After Midnight intertwines the poetry of Langston Hughes with songs from big-band legends Duke Ellington, Jimmy McHugh, Harold Arlen, Dorothy Fields, and more. The exhilarating score features such hits as “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love,” “Stormy Weather,” “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing.”

New Musical
Gun & Powder
April 4 – May 5, 2024
Book and Lyrics by Angelica Chéri
Music by Ross Baum
Directed by Stevie Walker-Webb

Gun & Powder is a new musical inspired by the true story of Mary and Martha Clarke, African American twin sisters who take extraordinary measures to settle their mother’s sharecropper debt and save her home. In 1893 Texas, the Sisters Clarke—passing as white—embark on a remarkable Wild West adventure that examines race, family, and identity with two electrifying women who transformed from farm girls to outlaws to legends. Featuring book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri (a real-life descendant of Mary and Martha Clarke), music by Ross Baum, and direction by Obie winner Stevie Walker-Webb (Ain’t No Mo’).

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
June 5 – 30, 2024
Book by Douglas McGrath
Words and Music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
Choreographed by Jennifer Werner
Directed by Casey Hushion

This Tony-nominated musical follows the early life and career of Carole King on her journey from teenage songwriter to chart-topping solo artist. King wrote for many of the biggest names in music, often alongside her husband, but it wasn’t until she made the leap from the writer’s room to the stage that she truly found her voice. This inspiring story of love, heartbreak, and empowerment features over two dozen hits, including “One Fine Day,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman.”

BIOGRAPHIES

Jordan Gelber (Tevye) is thrilled to return to Paper Mill (Holiday Inn). Broadway: Mr. Saturday Night, Sunday in the Park with George, Buddy in Elf, All My Sons, Avenue Q (original cast, Outer Critics Circle Award). Off Broadway: Nantucket Sleigh Ride, Two Thousand Years, Birth and After Birth. TV: recurring on “Elementary” and “Law & Order: SVU,” “Mr. Robot,” “Mindhunter,” “Insatiable,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Nurse Jackie,” “The Good Wife,” “Rescue Me,” “Ugly Betty,” “The Sopranos,” “100 Centre Street,” and more. Film: The Kitchen, Bleed for This, Dark Horse, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Everyday People, Riding in Cars with Boys, Changing Lanes. BA, Stanford University; MFA, NYU Tisch Graduate Acting (2000 Laura Pels Award). www.JordanGelber.com

Jill Abramovitz (Golde). Broadway: Beetlejuice, Fiddler on the Roof, Cinderella, 9 to 5, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me. Paper Mill: Ever After, Damn Yankees. Other regional: Goodspeed, Barrington, Kennedy Center, A Walk on the Moon at George Street, God of Carnage at Cape Playhouse. Selected TV/film: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Chicago Med,” Daughter of the Bride, “The Blacklist,” “The Last O.G.,” “Madam Secretary,” “The Good Wife,” “FBI: Most Wanted,” “Bluebloods,” “Law & Order: SVU.” Also an award-winning lyricist/bookwriter, Jill contributed lyrics to Broadway’s It Shoulda Been You and is a past recipient of the Jerry Bock Award for excellence in musical theater writing, given by the great Sheldon Harnick. jillaonline.com

Alexandra Socha (Tzeitel). Paper Mill debut! Broadway: Head Over Heels, Spring Awakening. Off Broadway: Mack & Mabel (Encores!), Actually, Fun Home (original cast, Lortel nomination), and more. Television: Skye on Amazon’s “Red Oaks,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “For Life,” “Evil,” “The Equalizer,” to name a few. Thrilled to perform alongside Etai, my wonder of wonders and father to our miracle of miracles.

Austen Danielle Bohmer (Hodel) (she/her) is thrilled to be returning to the Paper Mill stage after training in the Summer Conservatory as a New Jersey kid! Broadway: Diana (original Broadway cast ensemble, u/s Diana). Off Broadway: Days of Rage (Second Stage). TV: “FBI: Most Wanted.” Regional: Lyric Opera of Chicago (Hodel, Fiddler on the Roof), Sacramento Music Circus (Louise, Gypsy, opposite Carolee Carmello), Pittsburgh CLO, Barrington, Goodspeed, St. Louis Rep. Proud international teaching artist with Arts Ignite (artsignite.org). BFA Acting: Webster Conservatory. RADA, London. Listen to her original music on all streaming platforms under the name Plain Austen. Instagram: @plainausten. austendaniellebohmer.com

Maya Jacobson (Chava) (she/her) is delighted to be making her Paper Mill debut! Off Broadway: Fidler Afn Dakh (directed by Joel Grey), Amerike—The Golden Land (NYTF). Regional: Lyric Opera of Chicago (Chava in Barrie Kosky’s Fiddler on the Roof), Studio Theatre (Medium Alison in Fun Home), and George Street Playhouse (Myra in A Walk on the Moon). TV: “Mordeo” (Crypt TV). BFA: The Boston Conservatory. www.mayajacobson.net, @_mayajacobson

Etai Benson (Motel) is an Israeli-American actor based in NYC. He is thrilled to make his Paper Mill debut, working opposite his all-time favorite actress—who also happens to be his wife. Broadway: Paul in Company (Best Revival Tony Award), Papi in The Band’s Visit (Best Musical Tony Award), Wicked. National Tour: An American in Paris. TV: “God Friended Me.” Regional: Goodspeed Opera House, The Old Globe, Dallas Theatre Center, and more. Etai is a Grammy Award winner as principal soloist on The Band’s Visit Original Broadway Cast Recording. Training: University of Michigan and The Moscow Art Theatre. @etaibenson

David R. Gordon (Perchik) is honored to make his debut at Paper Mill Playhouse, telling this incredibly important story alongside this brilliant cast and team! Favorite credits include Barry Mann (Beautiful), Leo Frank (Parade), Lonny (Rock of Ages), Jimmy (Flashdance first national tour), Roger (Grease international tour), Huey (Memphis), and the first national tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. David is also a winemaker! David and his wife created their own wine label called Intermission Cellars. Find all details at www.IntermissionCellars.com. @DRGeffects, @IntermissionCellars

Suzanne Grodner (Yente) is thrilled to be back at Paper Mill Playhouse, where she was seen in Sunrise at Campobello. Broadway: Beautiful, Bye Bye Birdie and The Rose Tattoo. National/International Tours: Beautiful, The Phantom of the Opera. Off Broadway: Cakewalk; Sarah, Sarah; Old Jews Telling Jokes; Death Defying Acts. Over 50 regional productions include Ragtime (Sacramento Music Circus), Silent Sky and Grand Horizons (Asolo Rep), Vanya and Sonia… (Cincinnati Playhouse), Emma (The Old Globe), Annie (Pioneer Theatre), Yentl (Cleveland Playhouse), I’m Not Rappaport (Pittsburgh Playhouse), and The Sisters Rosensweig (Indiana Rep). TV: “Ray Donovan,” “Ed,” and six episodes on all three “Law & Order”s.

Jeremy Radin (Lazar Wolf) is an actor and writer and is absolutely ferklempt to be making his Paper Mill Playhouse debut. He has appeared in films such as The Way Back (dir. Gavin O’Connor) and The New World (dir. Terrence Malick) and TV shows like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Criminal Minds,” and “CSI.” He most recently appeared in Big Trip at La MaMa as a founding member of Krymov Lab NYC and in the world premiere of The Ants at the Geffen Playhouse. His poetry has been published widely. Instagram: @germyradin

Andrew Alstat (Fyedka) is beyond thrilled to be returning to Paper Mill Playhouse to help tell this beautiful story. He was last seen on the Paper Mill stage last year as Rolf in The Sound of Music. Recent credits include Damn Yankees (Joe Hardy) at Marriott Theatre; Grease (Danny Zuko) at Cape Playhouse; and The Sound of Music (Rolf), Footloose (Chuck Cranston), and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Muny. BFA: CCM 2020. Instagram: @a12tat and @andrewalstat_photography

Mark S. Hoebee (Director) joined the artistic team at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2000. Under his leadership, Paper Mill was presented with the Regional Theatre Tony Award in 2016 and launched such noteworthy projects as the world premieres of Newsies, in partnership with Disney Theatrical Productions; Honeymoon in Vegas; Bandstand; A Bronx Tale; The Wanderer; Ever After; The Honeymooners; My Very Own British Invasion; Unmasked: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, with the Really Useful Group; and The Sting starring Harry Connick, Jr.; as well as the American premieres of the 25th Anniversary Production of Les Misérables, working alongside Cameron Mackintosh; Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame; and the national tour of The Bodyguard starring Deborah Cox. On Broadway, Mark directed the Actors Fund benefit of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas starring Jennifer Hudson. He directed national tours of Victor/Victoria starring Toni Tennille, Dreamgirls, Company, and An Evening of Lerner and Loewe starring Diahann Carroll. Select directing credits at Paper Mill include The Sound of Music; West Side Story; Beauty and the Beast; Annie; Mary Poppins; Dreamgirls; Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella; Songs for a New World;Hello, Dolly! starring Tovah Feldshuh; Harold and Maude: The Musical with Estelle Parsons; The Will Rogers Follies starring John Davidson; Meet Me in St. Louis; The King and I; Miss Saigon; Disney’s High School Musical; Peter Pan; Smokey Joe’s Cafe; Damn Yankees; and The Full Monty starring Broadway legend Elaine Stritch. He resides in Glen Ridge with his partner Larry Elardo, Senior Director of Program Operations for CBS News, and their children, Stephen and Ashley.

Parker Esse (Reproduction Choreographer). After performing on Broadway in the Tony-winning Fosse, Parker was associate choreographer for Broadway’s Finian’s Rainbow and A Tale of Two Cities, Follies (pre-Broadway), and five City Center Encores!. Choreographer: Oklahoma! (50th anniversary, Arena Stage), Sondheim and Marsalis’s A Bed and a Chair (Encores!); Ed Mirvish Theatre (Toronto), Arena Stage (18 productions), Kennedy Center, Washington National Opera, Goodspeed, Omaha Symphony/NBC holiday televised specials, Shaw Festival (Canada), Lyrics & Lyricists (92nd Street Y), York Theatre, Signature, Ogunquit, Buck’s County, The Rev, NC Theatre. Recently: The Light in the Piazza (Encores!), West Side Story (Muny). BFA: NYU Tisch; proud SDC and AEA member.

Jillian Zack (Music Director) is thrilled to be back at Paper Mill for her third show! Broadway: Funny Girl (keyboard 2 sub), A Beautiful Noise (keyboard 2 sub), To Kill a Mockingbird (organ/conductor sub). Off Broadway/Regional: Theatre Row, Paper Mill Playhouse, The Mac-Haydn, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Theatre Workshop of Nantucket. Vocal coach both privately and in partnership with the Magaziner Vocal Studio. Concert work: Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, 54 Below. Graduate of the Manhattan School of Music (BM) and The Juilliard School (MM). Proud member of Maestra, Local 802, and Broadway Baby Mamas.

Kelly James Tighe (Scenic Design). Off Broadway and national tour credits include Martin Luther on Trial, Shadowlands, The Most Reluctant Convert, The Great Divorce, The Fantasticks, Almost Heaven, Movin’ Out, Shear Madness, and Cats. Other credits: Disney Theatrical, Paper Mill Playhouse, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Center Repertory Company, Slow Burn Theatre, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Sacramento Theatre Company, Gateway Playhouse, Broadway by the Bay, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Diablo Theatre Company, and Ray of Light Theatre. Kelly’s theatrical work is published in the textbook Scene Design and Stage Lighting, and his work as an illustrator has been published in Mooseltoe: A Moose and a Dream. Awards: SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, Drama-Logue, Shellie. kjtdesign.com

Leon Dobkowski (Costume Design). Paper Mill: Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Mary Poppins, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Off Broadway: Rock & Roll Man. Additional credits include the Muny (St. Louis Theater Circle Award, Seussical, The Wiz), Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars, Weston Playhouse, Feld Entertainment’s Disney Live, George Street Playhouse, Irish Repertory Theatre, Yale Repertory Theater, Pittsburgh CLO, Music Theatre Wichita, Engeman Theater, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Penguin Rep, Epic Theatre Ensemble, NYMF (Outstanding Costume Design, Claudio Quest), Cape May Stage, TheatreWorks Hartford (CT Critics Choice Award nomination, The Legend of Georgia McBride). MFA: Yale School of Drama. www.LeonDobkowski.com, @MrLeonD

Charlie Morrison (Lighting Design). Paper Mill: 26 shows including The Sound of Music, On Your Feet!, Sister Act, Songs for a New World, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, The Little Mermaid, Curtains, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, The Full Monty, and Meet Me in St. Louis. National/International Tours: The Little Mermaid; How the Grinch Stole Christmas; A Christmas Story; The Producers; Hello, Dolly!; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; Miss Saigon; Aida; Man of La Mancha; Guys and Dolls; Groovaloo; My Fair Lady; The King and I; 42nd Street; The Who’s Tommy; and many others. Regional: Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC), Guthrie, Goodspeed, Seattle Rep, Dallas Summer Musicals, TUTS, 5th Avenue, Kansas City Starlight, Pittsburgh CLO, George Street Playhouse, PlayMakers Rep, Tulsa Opera, and more. Two Helen Hayes Awards (seven nominations). www.cmlighting.com

Jason M. Flamos (Lighting Design). New Jersey based Lighting Designer. Select credits include Cape Fear Regional Theater (Clue, Matilda), Mile Square Theater (Betrayal, I and You, The 39 Steps, It’s a Wonderful Life, Pipeline), Shakespeare Theater NJ (William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play Abridged, Snug, The Comedy of Errors), Thingamajig Theater Company (Cabaret, The Little Mermaid, The Pillowman, A Few Good Men), American Theater Group (Small Town Story), 10 Hairy Legs dance company (Heist, 172, Brian, Quadrivium, Cruise Control), American Repertory Ballet (The Time That Runs Away, If, Intrare Forma, Saudade, World Interrupted, Strange Sentience, Circadia, Moving to Bach, Hindsight, Kaleidoscope Mind, Delibes Duet). Associate design for Paper Mill Playhouse: Murder on the Orient Express, The Sound of Music, On Your Feet, Sister Act, The Producers, Cinderella. www.JasonFlamos.com

Sun Hee Kil (Sound Design). Credits include As You Like It (Shakespeare in the Park); Suffs, The Visitor (Public); I Can Get It for You Wholesale, A Man of No Importance (CSC); New Victory Dance (New Victory); Shout Sister Shout! (Ford’s); Exclusion (Arena Stage); The Heart Seller (Milwaukee Rep). Associate: 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies; Broadway: Choir Boy (Tony Award, Best Sound Design), Bernhardt/ Hamlet, The Rose Tattoo; Off Broadway: Emmet Otter (New Victory), Greater Clements (Lincoln Center); International Tour: Dreamgirls. Assistant professor of Sound Design at SUNY Purchase. www.sunheekil.com

Leah J. Loukas (Hair & Wig Design). Paper Mill: Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Mary Poppins, The Honeymooners, The Little Mermaid, Oliver!, South Pacific, A Christmas Story, The Sound of Music, and more. Broadway: The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window; Hadestown; Escape to Margaritaville; Time and the Conways; Marvin’s Room; Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812; Sweat; On the Town; Vanya and Sonia…; American Idiot, among others. Off Broadway/Regional: Clueless, The True (New Group); Scene Partners (Vineyard); Detroit ’67 (Hartford Stage/McCarter); White Devil (Red Bull); Plenty, Barbecue, Fortress of Solitude, As You Like It, Julius Caesar, Taming of the Shrew, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Into the Woods (Public/Delacorte).

Rick Sordelet (Fight & Intimacy Director). Rick and his son and partner, Christian Kelly-Sordelet, created SORDELET INC, www.sordeletinc.com with 73 Broadway credits that include Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Wolf Hall. Also staged the fights for the opera Cyrano de Bergerac starring Placido Domingo at the Metropolitan Opera, The Royal Opera House, and the LaScala in Milan, Italy; and for over 65 productions on five continents including Ben Hur Live European Tour and sit down in Rome. Film: Ben is Back starring Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges, The Game Plan starring Dwayne Johnson; Dan in Real Life starring Steve Carell and Juliette Binoche; and Hamlet starring Campbell Scott. They served as the chief stunt coordinator for “Guiding Light” and staged the fights for “First Jedi,” a CD-ROM for George Lucas. Rick received the Lucille Lortel Award for Sustained Excellence in 2007. Rick teaches at Yale School of Drama, He is the Board President of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and the author of the play Buried Treasure. Christian teaches at CUNY Harlem and HB Studio. They teach together at Esper Studios. They, with their partner, author David Blixt, also run an e-publishing company called Sordelet INK. www.sordeletink.com for the emerging author.

JZ Casting (Casting) is thrilled to continue collaborating with Paper Mill Playhouse. Geoff Josselson, CSA and Katja Zarolinski, CSA are New York-based casting directors handling productions for theater, film, and television. Theater work includes Broadway, Off Broadway, and regional productions at Alley Theatre, Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Cape Playhouse, City Theatre, The Civilians, Irish Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Rep, Kennedy Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Paper Mill Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Public Theater, St. Louis Rep, Seattle Rep, Signature Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Studio Theatre, TheaterWorks Hartford, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre. For more information, please visit www.jz-casting.com.

Melissa Chacón (Production Stage Manager). Broadway: Frozen. National Tours: Frozen, The Color Purple, The Bodyguard, The Bridges of Madison County, We Will Rock You, Billy Elliot, Contact, and Rent. Off Broadway: The Coast Starlight at Lincoln Center Theater, Harmony, and Avenue Q. Regional:  The Iceman Cometh at BAM, The Color Purple and The Bodyguard at Paper Mill Playhouse, and Joy at George Street Playhouse.

PRODUCTION ASSETS

PRODUCTION INFORMATION
Fiddler on the Roof
Book by Joseph Stein
Music by Jerry Bock
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Original Choreography by Jerome Robbins
Directed by Mark S. Hoebee
Reproduction Choreography by Parker Esse
Music Direction by Jillian Zack
Scenic Design by Kelly James Tighe
Costume Design by Leon Dobkowski
Lighting Design by Charlie Morrison and Jason M. Flamos
Sound Design by Sun Hee Kil
Hair & Wig Design by Leah J. Loukas
Fight & Intimacy Direction by Rick Sordelet
Casting by JZ Casting
Production Stage Management by Melissa Chacón

December 6, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Opening Night: Sunday, December 10 at 7:00 PM
Paper Mill Playhouse
22 Brookside Drive
Millburn, NJ 07041
Ticket Information: https://my.papermill.org/overview/fiddler

WEBSITE/SOCIAL ACCOUNTS
Website: PaperMill.org
Facebook: facebook.com/PaperMillPlayhouse
Instagram: instagram.com/PaperMillPlayhouse
YouTube: youtube.com/user/PaperMillPlayhouse
TikTok: tiktok.com/@PaperMillPlayhouse
Twitter: twitter.com/Paper_Mill

MEDIA CONTACTS
 The Press Room – 212-763-7724
Contact: Jim Byk / Kelly Guiod / Louisa Pancoast

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The post CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE’S FIDDLER ON THE ROOF appeared first on Paper Mill Playhouse.

OCTOBER 12-NOVEMBER 12, 2023

(July 24, 2023 – Millburn, NJ) – Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director; Michael Stotts– Executive Director), recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is pleased to announce initial casting for its world-premiere production of The Great Gatsby, based on the iconic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Tony and Drama Desk Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner Jeremy Jordan (Newsies, Waitress, American Son) will star as enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby, and two-time Tony Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner Eva Noblezada (Hadestown, Miss Saigon) will star as socialite Daisy Buchanan. Additional casting will be announced in coming weeks.

The highly anticipated production will play October 12-November 12, 2023 at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive). Opening night is Sunday, October 22. Tickets may be purchased now as part of a Paper Mill Playhouse subscription package and single tickets will go on sale on August 14, 2023.

“The jazz era setting of The Great Gatsby presents such a natural opportunity for music,” Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director. “But this team has also found ways to musicalize the characters’ deep, rich hopes and dreams with such surprising and dramatic subtlety. We cannot wait to welcome Paper Mill audiences to this thrilling world premiere of The Great Gatsby.”

“We’re so pleased to welcome back Jeremy Jordan, who made such a big impression on our stage in Newsies, as well as the incredibly talented Eva Noblezada, performing at Paper Mill for the first time,” commented Michael Stotts, Executive Director. “We could not hope for a more dazzling pair as Gatsby and Daisy.”

Fitzgerald’s novel has fascinated and captivated readers since its publication in 1925. Set in the Roaring Twenties, eccentric millionaire Jay Gatsby (Jordan) will stop at nothing in his tragic pursuit of Daisy Buchanan (Noblezada), a wealthy young woman who he loved in his youth. Surrounded by characters with incredibly complex and nuanced inner lives, passions, and longings boil, and then erupt – spurring the unimaginable fates that befall them.

The Great Gatsby features a book by Kait Kerrigan (The Mad Ones), a jazz- and pop-influenced original score by Tony Award nominees Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen (Paradise Square), and direction by Marc Bruni (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical). The production will be choreographed by Dominique Kelley. Music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations are by Mr. Howland. Daniel Edmonds (Shucked, Paradise Square) is Music Director.

The Great Gatsby is produced by special arrangement with Chunsoo Shin, award-winning Korean theater producer and OD Company president.

BIOGRAPHIES

Jeremy Jordan (Jay Gatsby) is best known for his Tony and Grammy-nominated portrayal of Jack Kelly in Newsies on Broadway, as well as his many roles on television including series regulars on CW’s “Supergirl”, NBC’s “Smash” and Disney’s “Tangled.” He’s set to reprise the role of Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, having helped re-open it in September of 2021. Most recently, Jeremy can be seen as tenacious record industry giant, Neil Bogart, in the feature film Spinning Gold. Other films include The Last 5 Years opposite Anna Kendrick, Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, American Son with Kerry Washington, and Newsies live on stage. Additional Broadway credits include Bonnie & Clyde (Theatre World Award), West Side Story, Waitress, American Son, and Rock of Ages. He has guest starred on numerous television shows, including “The Flash,” “Elementary” and “Law and Order: SVU.” Jeremy’s concerts and cabaret shows have won awards and acclaim worldwide. He is also the lead singer of “Age of Madness,” a new rock band which launched last year.

Eva Noblezada (Daisy Buchanan) was recently featured in the Amblin feature Easter Sunday and as the lead in the Apple TV+ animated film Luck. Previously, she starred for director Diane Paragas in the acclaimed Sony Pictures film Yellow Rose. She won a Grammy Award and was nominated for a Tony Award for starring on Broadway in Hadestown. It was Eva’s second Tony nomination in her first two Broadway roles, following her earlier nod in the title role of Miss Saigon in 2017. She also starred in Hadestown at the National Theatre in London as well as in the West End revivals of Miss Saigon and Les Misérables.

Kait Kerrigan (Book) is best known for her musical (book and lyrics) with Bree Lowdermilk, The Mad Ones, which includes cult-hit songs “Run Away with Me” and “Go Tonight.” She wrote additional lyrics for The Time Traveler’s Wife, opening on the West End in October 2023. Other musicals include Indigo, Justice, the pop-up immersive house party The Bad Years, and children’s shows: Henry & Mudge, Earthrise and Rosie Revere, Engineer & Friends. Her plays include Father/Daughter and Imaginary Love. The Great Gatsby is Kerrigan’s first musical collaboration with her husband, lyricist Nathan Tysen.

Jason Howland (Music, Music Supervision, Orchestrations, Arrangements) is a Grammy- and Emmy-winning producer and arranger and a Tony-nominated composer, producer, and orchestrator. Composer: Paradise Square (Broadway), Little Women (Broadway), Ikuru (Tokyo), Tokyo Love Story (Tokyo), Christmas in Connecticut (Goodspeed), Last Days of Summer (Kansas City Rep). Musical director/arranger credits on Broadway include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Grammy Award), Shucked, Paradise Square, Bonnie and Clyde, Wonderland, Jekyll & Hyde, Les Misérables, The Civil War, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Taboo, and others. Proud father of Nina and Noah.

Nathan Tysen (Lyrics). Broadway/West End: Paradise Square (Tony nomination), Amélie (Olivier and Grammy nominations), Tuck Everlasting. Off Broadway: The Burnt Part Boys, Fugitive Songs. Regional: Dreamland (or a musical riff on Shakespeare’s Midsummer set during the declassification of Area 51), Stillwater. TV/Film: “A Killer Party,” “Sesame Street,” “Elmo’s World.” Upcoming: Love Is Strange, Blown Sideways Through Life, Revival, The Untitled Joe Hill Project. Awards from the Kleban, Ebb, Rodgers, and Larson foundations. Writer/director for Lovewell Institute, creating original musicals with young adults. MFA NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program, BFA Missouri State University. Husband to writer Kait Kerrigan, father to Lucy and Tess. nathantysen.com

Marc Bruni (Director). Paper Mill: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Other credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway, West End, US/UK tours, and Australia (Helpmann, Green Room awards for direction); Trevor: The Musical (Disney+, Stage 42); Love All (La Jolla); Guys and Dolls, The Music Man, How to Succeed…, 50 Years of Broadway (Kennedy Center); The Nutty Professor (Ogunquit); The Tale of Despereaux (Old Globe, Berkeley); Hey, Look Me Over!, Paint Your Wagon, Pipe Dream, and Fanny (Encores!); The Explorers Club (MTC); Old Jews Telling Jokes (Westside Theatre, Royal George Chicago); The Sound of Music (Lyric Opera of Chicago, Aspen); and eight musicals at St. Louis Muny. Graduate of Dartmouth College. SDC member.

Dominique Kelley (Choreographer). Theater credits include Oklahoma!, Indecent, and Rattlesnake Kate (Denver Center); Sophisticated Ladies and Singin’ in the Rain (Zach Theatre); Wild Women Blues (Germany); and Ain’t Misbehavin’(Ebony Rep). Favorite TV: “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “Perry Mason,” “The Masked Singer,” “American Music Awards,” “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” Recording artist choreography: Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Usher, P!nk, FKA Twigs, Camila Cabello. Film: Gone with the Bullets, Jo Bole So Nihaal. Cirque du Soleil’s Volta. Sports team choreography: NY Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, L.A. Clippers, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Rockets, L.A. Chargers.

Daniel Edmonds (Music Director). Broadway: Shucked, Paradise Square. West End: The Showgirl Within. Songwriter: many songs, including Lea Salonga’s latest single, “Dream Again.” Film: scores for The Suitor, Monolith, Butcherbird, and the song “Man to Man” from Super Awesome. Other theater: new version of The Wind in the Willows (composer); MD of the world-premiere productions of King Kong, Strictly Ballroom (with Baz Luhrmann), Dream Lover; MD of Beautiful, Chicago, and Pippin in Australia; music supervisor of Only Heaven Knows and You & Me. In development: Wild About You (music supervisor, arranger, orchestrator, music producer of the concept album). Other highlights include piano for Lea Salonga’s PBS Great Performances special.

This production is made possible by special arrangement with Chunsoo Shin, a celebrated Korean musical theatre producer who is the founder and president of OD Company, a global theatre producing company in South Korea. He was the first Korean producer to become a lead producer on Broadway. He is acknowledged as an influential musical producer in Korea’s theater industry. Broadway: Doctor Zhivago, Holler If Ya Hear Me. Korea: Sweeney Todd, Man of La Mancha, Jekyll & Hyde, Dream Girls, Titanic, The Story of My Life, and more. In Development: The Great Gatsby; The Lights in Firenze, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (La Jolla), and more. He is the founding president of the Korean Association of Musical Producers.

Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2023-2024 lineup also features Fiddler on the Roof (December 6, 2023 – Jan 7, 2024), After Midnight (January 31 – February 25, 2024), Gun & Powder (April 4– May 5, 2024), and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (June 5 – 30, 2024).

Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2023-2024 Season
World Premiere
The Great Gatsby
October 12 – November 12, 2023
Music by Jason Howland
Lyrics by Nathan Tysen
Book by Kait Kerrigan
Choreographed by Dominique Kelley
Directed by Marc Bruni

This world-premiere musical adaptation of the acclaimed novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald tells the impassioned tale of eccentric and mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby in his tragic pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, the woman he’s loved since his youth. Directed by Marc Bruni (Beautiful), this story of extravagance and longing in the lavish Roaring Twenties features a book by Kait Kerrigan (The Mad Ones) and a jazz- and pop-influenced original score by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen (Paradise Square).

Fiddler on the Roof
December 6, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Book by Joseph Stein
Music by Jerry Bock
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Original Choreography by Jerome Robbins
Directed by Mark S. Hoebee

This beloved classic is sure to charm and captivate the entire family. The Tony Award-winning musical is set in a Russian village in the home of Tevye, a Jewish husband and father striving to uphold his family’s religious and cultural traditions. Directed by Paper Mill Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee with the original choreography by Jerome Robbins, Fiddler on the Roof’s timeless score includes such favorites as “Tradition,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “To Life (L’Chaim!),” and “Sunrise, Sunset.”

After Midnight
January 31 – February 25, 2024
Conceived by Jack Viertel
Selected Text by Langston Hughes
Music by Duke Ellington, Jimmy McHugh, Harold Arlen and others

This electrifying musical revue transports you to the Cotton Club of the Harlem Renaissance, an unparalleled time in New York City when jazz and swing were king. After Midnight intertwines the poetry of Langston Hughes with songs from big-band legends Duke Ellington, Jimmy McHugh, Harold Arlen, Dorothy Fields, and more. The exhilarating score features such hits as “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love,” “Stormy Weather,” “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing.”

New Musical
Gun & Powder
April 4 – May 5, 2024
Book and Lyrics by Angelica Chéri
Music by Ross Baum
Directed by Stevie Walker-Webb

Gun & Powder is a new musical inspired by the true story of Mary and Martha Clarke, African American twin sisters who take extraordinary measures to settle their mother’s sharecropper debt and save her home. In 1893 Texas, the Sisters Clarke—passing as white—embark on a remarkable Wild West adventure that examines race, family, and identity with two electrifying women who transformed from farm girls to outlaws to legends. Featuring book and lyrics by Angelica Chéri (a real-life descendant of Mary and Martha Clarke), music by Ross Baum, and direction by Obie winner Stevie Walker-Webb (Ain’t No Mo’).

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
June 5 – 30, 2024
Book by Douglas McGrath
Words and Music by Gerry Goffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil
Choreographed by Jennifer Werner
Directed by Casey Hushion

This Tony-nominated musical follows the early life and career of Carole King on her journey from teenage songwriter to chart-topping solo artist. King wrote for many of the biggest names in music, often alongside her husband, but it wasn’t until she made the leap from the writer’s room to the stage that she truly found her voice. This inspiring story of love, heartbreak, and empowerment features over two dozen hits, including “One Fine Day,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman.”

Paper Mill Playhouse offers its audiences the opportunity to enhance their theater experience with behind-the-scenes views of mainstage productions, including Q&As held live in the theater with cast members. Paper Mill Prologues and The Director’s Viewpoint will be available to everyone on-demand in the Paper Mill Playhouse mobile app.

Award-winning access programs and services are available at all Paper Mill Playhouse productions, including audio-described performances, American Sign Language interpreted and open-captioned performances, Braille and large-print programs, and assistive listening devices.

Paper Mill Playhouse offers three-, four- and five-show subscription packages, available now starting at just $111. Each subscription package includes a different level of special benefits – see www.PaperMill.org for details. Accessibly priced youth subscriptions are available for children under 18 with the purchase of an adult subscription. Tickets to individual shows will be on sale beginning August 14, 2023. Tickets and subscriptions may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, online at www.PaperMill.org, or at the box office.

Programs, dates, and artists are subject to change.

ABOUT PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE
PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is a nationally renowned not-for-profit theater under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Michael Stotts (Executive Director). A beloved New Jersey arts institution since 1938, Paper Mill creates and produces groundbreaking new musicals and reimagined classics. Several productions have gone on to Broadway and launched national tours, including Disney’s Newsies, Les Misérables, Honeymoon in Vegas, A Bronx Tale, and Bandstand. The theater is also the home to an award-winning center for musical theater education and artist training, with outreach programs that impact thousands of students each year. As one of the nation’s premier musical theaters, Paper Mill fosters a creative environment to advance the art form, educate students, develop future theater lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all. We acknowledge that our theater stands on the traditional land of the Lenni-Lenape, and we honor the Indigenous people who inhabited it for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

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The post Jeremy Jordan & Eva Noblezada to Star in Paper Mill Playhouse’s World Premiere of the Great Gatsby, A New Musical appeared first on Paper Mill Playhouse.

May 1, 2023

PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE ANNOUNCES

2023 RISING STAR AWARD NOMINATIONS

Winners Will Be Announced During a LIVE CEREMONY AND LIVESTREAM JUNE 13, 2023

(Millburn, NJ) May 1, 2023– As one of the nation’s leading theaters and recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Michael Stotts-Executive Director) has a well-earned reputation for launching both performers and shows to Broadway. Since their inception in 1996, the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater have ignited the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey.  Among the early nominees and winners are Academy Award   winner Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables), Tony Award winners Laura Benanti (Gypsy) and Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), Tony nominee Rob McClure (Chaplin), Jelani Remy (Lion King, Ain’t Too Proud), Shanice Williams, star of NBC’s The Wiz Live! and Olivier Award nominee Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon).

The 2023 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards presented by Citizens Philanthropic Foundation and Investors Foundation ceremony will take place at Paper Mill Playhouse on Tuesday, June 13, at 7:30pm, featuring presenters from both Broadway and beyond. The ceremony will be livestreamed on Paper Mill’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Among the top nominated high schools, Columbia High School (Essex County) has 13 nominations, Delaware Valley Regional High School (Hunterdon County) earned 12 nominations, Haddonfield Memorial High School (Camden County) received 10 nominations, Summit High School (Union County) has 9 nominations, Moorestown High School (Burlington County) earned 8 nominations, and Ridge High School (Essex County) was awarded 7 nominations. These totals do not account for Student Achievement and Auxiliary Award nominations.

“The talent we see in New Jersey High Schools is outstanding. This year was more competitive than ever.” commented Mark S. Hoebee, Paper Mill Playhouse’s Producing Artistic Director. “A record 115 New Jersey high schools participated in this year’s Rising Star Awards and each of them are doing such excellent work. When a school is nominated for a Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star award it is a true testament of the hard work they put in to their high school musical. I congratulate them all.”

Past Rising Star nominees and recipients appeared on Broadway in She Loves Me (Laura Benanti), Mrs. Doubtfire (Rob McClure), Aladdin (Josh Dela Cruz, Jonathan Schwartz, Kathryn Allison), Les Misérables (Nikki M. James), Disney’s The Lion King (Jelani Remy), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Julia Knitel), Jersey Boys (Russell Fisher), The Phantom of the Opera (Julia Udine), London’s West End production of The Book of Mormon (Jared Gertner); the Public Theater’s Grounded (Anne Hathaway). Shanice Williams, star of NBC’s The Wiz Live was nominated for a Rising Star Award in 2014.

Paper Mill Director of Education Lisa Cooney explains, “What’s happening in high school musical productions here in New Jersey and around the country is remarkable. Programs like the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards raise the bar and create opportunities for student performers and theater technicians to be recognized for their achievements, while giving them access to thousands of dollars in scholarships and professional training. We consistently hear from top-tier colleges and casting directors that a Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award is a significant accolade for an aspiring theater artist.”

The Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards Presented by Citizens Philanthropic Foundation and Investors Foundation are modeled after the Tony Awards, and Paper Mill Playhouse’s program serves the entire state of New Jersey, with 115 entered productions from public, private and parochial high schools. Paper Mill Playhouse conceived and created the awards in 1996 to give schools the opportunity to showcase their musical arts programs on a statewide level. The musicals are adjudicated by Paper Mill Playhouse throughout the spring by a group of 70 evaluators, with each school receiving three independent evaluations.  Schools nominated for Outstanding Overall Musical and Leading Actor/Actress nominees perform at the event, and award recipients are presented with an engraved crystal award from Tiffany & Co.

Paper Mill Playhouse also awards $7,000 in scholarships at the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards Presented by Citizens Philanthropic Foundation and Investors Foundation.  Seven $1,000 cash scholarships are given to outstanding individual students who plan to continue studying theater performance or technical theater in college. Paper Mill Playhouse is pleased to award a prize of $500 to a school receiving the 2023 Educational Impact Award, which acknowledges a school that successfully connects the musical to the district’s curriculum, using the production as a teaching tool for the greater student body and local community.  Through the Rising Star “Theatre for Everyone” Inclusion and Access Award and a partnership with The Cultural Access Network of New Jersey, a project of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Paper Mill Playhouse will present a cash award of $1,000 to a school to recognize excellence in the promotion and practice of creative inclusion of students and adults with disabilities as performers, designers, musicians and production staff. Additionally, this award seeks to recognize and reward a school that takes steps to ensure their performances are accessible to audiences with disabilities.

Lastly, students receiving final nominations in the lead and supporting acting categories receive a scholarship to Paper Mill Playhouse’s competitive Summer Musical Theater Conservatory, a professional training program, which, along with advanced classes in singing, acting and dance, offers the nominees an opportunity to perform in the season finale concert, “New Voices of 2023: We will Rock You” on July 28 & 29 on the main stage at Paper Mill Playhouse.  Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at PaperMill.org, or calling the box office at 973-376-4343.

Rising Star Awards – Presented by the Citizens Philanthropic Foundation and Investors Foundation are supported by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation. The Hearst Foundations are Paper Mill’s Education & Outreach Partner.

Rising Star scholarships are made possible by Ruth Bedford in memory of Jane Burgio, Walt Santner in honor of Janet Sovey, in memory of late father and husband James K. Mosser and the Douglas Michael Krueger Scholarship Fund Trust.

The Theater for Everyone Inclusion and Access Award is supported by the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

The Rising Star Awards are made possible by support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards are part of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance 2023 Stages Festival, made possible by support from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey; OceanFirst Foundation; Fund for the New Jersey Blind; New Jersey Manufacturers; and Customers Bank. www.njtheatrealliance.org/stages

2023 RISING STAR AWARDS NOMINATIONS AND HONORABLE MENTIONS

OUTSTANDING OVERALL PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL

Final Nominations

Columbia HS                                                                                       SOMETHING ROTTEN!

Delaware Valley Regional HS                                                           THE ADDAMS FAMILY

Gloucester County Institute of Technology                                  LES MISÉRABLES

Haddonfield Memorial HS                                                               HEAD OVER HEELS

Moorestown HS                                                                                 RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA

Ridge HS                                                                                              NEWSIES

Summit HS                                                                                          SOMETHING ROTTEN!

Honorable Mentions

Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS                                        CHICAGO

Madison HS                                                                                         LITTLE WOMEN

Westfield HS                                                                                       SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

OUTSTANDING LEADING PERFORMER IN A FEMALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE

Final Nominations

Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS          CHICAGO                               Talia Fabrizzio as “Roxie Hart”

Clearview Regional HS                                        MAMMA MIA!                      Leah Rose Crossan as“Donna”

Madison HS                                                           LITTLE WOMEN                    Avery Benjamin as “Jo March”

Moorestown HS                                                   R & H’s CINDERELLA            Sofia Giannetto as “Cinderella”

Nutley HS                                                              CHICAGO                               Valeria Flores as “Velma Kelly”

Ridge HS                                                                NEWSIES                                Libby Schmitt as “Katherine Plumber”

Westfield HS                                                         SUNDAY IN THE PARK         Bella Jarecki as “Dot/Marie”

Honorable Mentions

Cherry Hill HS East                                               INTO THE WOODS               Charlotte Lemaire as “Baker’s Wife”

Immaculata HS                                                     SISTER ACT                            Jewelia Taylor as “Deloris Van Cartier”

Saddle River Day School                                     THE ADDAMS FAMILY         Kate Peresvyetova as “Wednesday”

Sayreville War Memorial HS                              THE LITTLE MERMAID         Grace Herrick as “Ariel”

Southern Regional HS                                         42^ND STREET                           Mia Spallina as “Peggy Sawyer”

 OUTSTANDING LEADING PERFORMER IN A MALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE

Final Nominations

Columbia HS                                                                         SOMETHING ROTTEN!         Quincy Hampton as “Nick Bottom”

Delaware Valley Regional HS                                             THE ADDAMS FAMILY         Dakota Krouse as “Gomez Addams”

Gloucester County Institute of Tech                                LES MISÉRABLES                   Armon Salgado as “Jean Valjean”

Moorestown HS                                                                   R & H’s CINDERELLA            Lucas Kirmsee as “Prince Christopher”

North Hunterdon HS                                                           LES MISÉRABLES                   Alex Lipinski as “Javert”

Piscataway HS                                                                      THE MYSTERY OF                Najm Muhammad as “Clive/John”

EDWIN DROOD

Westfield HS                                                                         SUNDAY IN THE PARK         Evan Leone as “George Seurat”

Honorable Mentions

Ewing HS                                                                         AIDA                                       Jayden White as “Radames”

Morristown Beard School                                           BE MORE CHILL                    Ari Mandel as “Michael Mell”

Nottingham HS                                                              THE LIGHTNING THIEF         Evan Vistoso as “Percy Jackson”

Ridge HS                                                                          NEWSIES                                Gabriel Subervi as “Jack Kelly”

St. Joseph Regional HS                                                 INTO THE WOODS               Thomas Snyder as “Baker”

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A FEMALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE

Final Nominations

Immaculata HS                                                              SISTER ACT                            Susie Polito as “Mother Superior”

Madison HS                                                                    LITTLE WOMEN                    Lily Bias as “Marmee March”

North Hunterdon HS                                                    LES MISÉRABLES                   Lea Chukrallah as “Eponine”

Ocean County Vocational Tech. School                    SWEENEY TODD                   Shea East as “Beggar Woman”

Randolph HS                                                                  FIDDLER ON THE ROOF       Amanda Diaz as “Hodel”

Sayreville War Memorial HS                                       THE LITTLE MERMAID         Ryan Yuhas as “Ursula”

Summit HS                                                                      SOMETHING ROTTEN!         Sarah Walsh as “Bea Bottom”

Honorable Mentions

Columbia HS                                                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!         Scarlett Choi as “Portia”

Gloucester County Institute of Tech                         LES MISÉRABLE                     Kenikki Thompson as “Eponine”

Haddonfield Memorial HS                                           HEAD OVER HEELS               Mia Bompensa as “Gynecia”

Morris Knolls HS                                                            THE DROWSY CHAPERONE                 Bridget Jacobus as “Drowsy Chaperone”               

Pingry School                                                                 SPRING AWAKENING           Brielle Marques as “Martha”

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A MALE-IDENTIFIED ROLE

Final Nominations

Bergen County Academies                          FIDDLER ON THE ROO                         Edward Turner as “Perchik”

Clearview Regional HS                                 MAMMA MIA!                                      Adam Bathurst as “Sam Carmichael”

Columbia HS                                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!                        Owen Umiker as “Will Shakespeare”

Gloucester County Institute of Tech         LES MISÉRABLES                                   Neal Reitano as “Thenard”

Haddonfield Memorial HS                           HEAD OVER HEELS                               Griffin Adams as “Basilius”

Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS                          THE DROWSY CHAPERONE                                 David Gomez as “Adolfo”

Summit HS                                                      SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Zach Seigel as “Nigel Bottom”

Honorable Mentions

Columbia HS                                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Scott Barton as “Nigel Bottom”

Gloucester County Institute of Tech         LES MISÉRABLES                                   Johnny Brown as “Marius”

West Milford Township HS                         SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Jason Pritchett as “Will Shakespeare” 

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A FEATURED ROLE

Final Nominations

Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS    CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION                    Willow Frazier as “Matron ‘Mama’ Morton”

Columbia HS                                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Alonzo Gallo as “Minstrel”

Columbia HS                                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Mac Silverstein as “Brother Jeremiah”

Columbia HS                                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Miller Asch as “Nostradamus”

Gloucester County Institute of Tech         LES MISÉRABLES                                   Zachary Palais as “Enjolras”

Immaculata HS                                              SISTER ACT                                            Charles Alexis as “Eddie Souther”

Morris Knolls HS                                            THE DROWSY CHAPERONE                                 Elijah Dor as “George”

Mountain Lakes HS                                       GUYS AND DOLLS                                 Nicholas Tripodi as “Nicely Nicely Johnson”

Southern Regional HS                                  42^ND STREET                                           Amanda Muldownsy as “Annie Reilly”

Honorable Mentions

Arts HS                                                            THE WIZ                                 Zahara Jackson as “Evilene”

Delaware Valley Regional HS                      THE ADDAMS FAMILY         Jessica McGlothlin as “Alice Beineke”

Immaculata HS                                              SISTER ACT                            Katherine Tami as “Sister Mary Lazarus”

Summit HS                                                      SOMETHING ROTTEN!         Hefzibah Campos as “Nostradamus”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ENSEMBLE MEMBER

Final Nominations

Bergen County Academies                          FIDDLER ON THE ROOF                       Amaya Romero as “Fruma Sarah”

Delaware Valley Regional HS                      THE ADDAMS FAMILY                         Will Gonzalez as “Lurch”

Morristown HS                                              R + H’S CINDERELLA                             Charlotte Cama as “Ensemble”

Ridge HS                                                          NEWSIES                                                Jaidyn Riley as “Mush”

Rumson Fair Haven HS                                 SPAMALOT                                            Connor Olson as “French Guard”

Union HS                                                         MAMMA MIA!                                      Layla Soares as “Lead Dancer”

St. Peter’s Prep                                             LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS                 Gabby Beredo as “Crystal”

Honorable Mentions

Columbia HS                                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Zoe McKay as “Lady Clapham”

Summit HS                                                      SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Ben Strauss as “Shylock”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEATURED ENSEMBLE GROUP

Final Nominations

Academy of Performing Arts at UCVTS     CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION                    “Merry Murderesses”

Arts HS                                                            THE WIZ                                                 “Tornado Dancers”

Delaware Valley Regional HS                      THE ADDAMS FAMILY                         “Ancestors”

Haddon Township HS                                   JOSEPH (AND…)                                   “Joseph’s Brothers”

Pinelands Regional HS                                  MATILDA                                               “Older Students”

Summit HS                                                      SOMETHING ROTTEN!                        “Troupe”               

Honorable Mentions

Cedar Creek HS.                                            BIG FISH                                                 “Alabama Lambs”

Columbia HS                                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         “Troupe”

Highland Regional HS.                                 JEKYLL & HYDE                                      “Red Rat Girls”

Moorestown HS                                            R & H’S CINDERELLA                            “Mice, Cat, Dove”

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A CHORUS

Final Nominations

Columbia HS                                         SOMETHING ROTTEN!

Haddonfield Memorial HS                 HEAD OVER HEELS

Ridge HS                                                 NEWSIES

Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS                 THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

Summit HS                                            SOMETHING ROTTEN!

Union HS                                               MAMMA MIA!

Westfield HS                                         SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

Honorable Mentions

Gloucester County Institute of TechLES MISÉRABLES

Moorestown HS                                   R & H’S CINDERELLA

Wallkill Valley Regional HS                 THE WIZARD OF OZ

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ORCHESTRA

Final Nominations

Bergen County Academies               FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Delaware Valley Regional HS           THE ADDAMS FAMILY

Randolph HS                                       FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Ridge HS                                              NEWSIES

Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS               THE DROWSY CHAPERONE

Southern Regional HS                       42^ND STREET

Summit HS                                          SOMETHING ROTTEN!

Honorable Mentions

Carteret HS                                           PIPPIN

Princeton HS                                         NEWSIES

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY A TEACHER OR OUTSIDE DIRECTOR

Final Nominations

Columbia HS                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Tricia Benn, Bethany Pettigrew

Delaware Valley Regional HS      THE ADDAMS FAMILY                         Clinton Ambs

Gloucester County Inst of Tech.LES MISÉRABLES                                    Katie Knoblock

Haddonfield Memorial HS           HEAD OVER HEELS                               Matt DiDonato

Moorestown HS                            R & H’S CINDERELLA                            Erica Scanlon Harr

Summit HS                                      SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Anne Poyner

Wallkill Valley Regional HS          THE WIZARD OF OZ                             Christine Molnar

Honorable Mentions

Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS    CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION                    Steven Collins

Madison High School                                   LITTLE WOMEN                                    Blake Spence

Ridge HS                                                          NEWSIES                                                Tim Lynch

Westfield HS                                                  SUNDAY IN THE PARK                         Daniel Devlin

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC DIRECTION

Final Nominations

Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS    CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION                    Michael Gilch

Columbia HS                                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Jacob C. Ezzo

Delaware Valley Regional HS                      THE ADDAMS FAMILY                         TJ Hayden, Adrian Camano

Haddonfield Memorial HS                           HEAD OVER HEELS                               Tyler Mills

Moorestown HS                                            R &H’S CINDERELLA                             Amanda Wise Harris

Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS                          THE DROWSY CHAPERONE                                 Jan Allen

Westfield HS                                                  SUNDAY IN THE PARK                         John Brzozowski

Honorable Mentions

Cherry Hill HS East                                         INTO THE WOODS                               Heather Lockart

Gloucester County Institute of Tech.        LES MISÉRABLES                                   Anthony Vitalo

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHOREOGRAPHY AND STAGING

Final Nominations

Columbia HS                                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Tricia Benn, Bethany Pettigrew

Delaware Valley Regional HS                      THE ADDAMS FAMILY                         Heather Fleischman

Haddonfield Memorial HS                           HEAD OVER HEELS                               Sara DeRossi

Ridge HS                                                          NEWSIES                                                Rachel Miranda, Jennifer Digiuseppe

Summit HS                                                      SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Kelly Mott-Sacks

Honorable Mentions

Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS.   CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION                    Jay T. Jenkins

Arts HS                                                            THE WIZ                                                 Gregory Omar Osbourne

Franklin HS                                                     DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS                     Lindsey Della Serra

OUTSTANDING SCENIC ACHIEVEMENT

Final Nominations

Columbia HS                                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Louis J. Medrano

Delaware Valley Regional HS                      THE ADDAMS FAMILY                         Josh Paul, Eric Fiorito

Haddonfield Memorial HS                           HEAD OVER HEELS                               Bob Shindle

Madison HS                                                    LITTLE WOMEN                                    Anthony Freitas

Moorestown HS                                            R & H’S CINDERELLA                            Andrew    Robinson, Jess Rottcamp

Princeton HS                                                  NEWSIES                                                Jeffrey Van Velsor, Bridget Schmidt

Wallkill Valley Regional HS                          THE WIZARD OF OZ                             Amy Naprstek, Mike Napovier

Honorable Mentions

Bergen County Academies                          FIDDLER ON THE ROOF                       Ryan Howell, Bill Pavlu

Pinelands Regional HS                                  MATILDA                                               Rich Pear

Ridge HS                                                          NEWSIES                                                Jason M. Stewart

Summit HS                                                      SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Jordan Janota

Union HS                                                         MAMMA MIA!                                      Brian Toscano

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING ACHIEVEMENT

Final Nominations

Cedar Creek HS                                              BIG FISH                                 Tyler Daddario

Clearview Regional HS                                 MAMMA MIA!                      Starlite Audio Visual & Lighting Solutions,

Chris Wood, John Schwab, Nicholas Rossi,

John Rowland

Columbia HS                                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!         Tara Marie Abbondante

Delaware Valley Regional HS                      THE ADDAMS FAMILY         Clinton Ambs, Kacey Burd

Haddonfield Memorial HS                           HEAD OVER HEELS               Matt DiDonato, Jack Novak,

Camila Manskopf

Madison HS                                                    LITTLE WOMEN                    Cameron Filepas

Moorestown HS                                            R & H’S CINDERELLA            Dee Dugan, Chris Miller

Wallkill Valley Regional HS                          THE WIZARD OF OZ             Michael Kimmel, Lisa Weinshrott

Honorable Mentions

Morristown Beard School                           BE MORE CHILL                    Nicholas Marmo

Princeton HS                                                  NEWSIES                                Sasha Stepanova

Ridge HS                                                          NEWSIES                                Colin Berry

Westfield HS                                                  SUNDAY IN THE PARK         Jack Frankola

OUTSTANDING COSTUMING ACHIEVEMENT

Final Nominations

Columbia HS                                                   SOMETHING ROTTEN!                         Barbara Canace

Delaware Valley Regional HS                      THE ADDAMS FAMILY                         Lisa Cartwright, Scaramouche  Costumes

Haddonfield Memorial HS                           HEAD OVER HEELS                               Sabrina Windt

Moorestown HS                                            R & H’S CINDERELLA                            Erin Cramer

Ridge HS                                                          NEWSIES                                                Bonnie Grube

Sayreville War Memorial HS                       THE LITTLE MERMAID                         Cynthia Gallagher

Summit HS                                                      SOMETHING ROTTEN!                        Bonnie Grube

Wallkill Valley Regional HS                          THE WIZARD OF OZ                             Christine Molnar

Westfield HS                                                  SUNDAY IN THE PARK                         Hannah Stavin, Suzanna Rogers

Honorable Mentions

Franklin HS                                                                     DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS     Amy Rice

Madison HS                                                                    LITTLE WOMEN                    Linda Spence, Blake Spence

Marlboro HS                                                                   SEUSSICAL                             Anthony Greco

Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS                                          THE DROWSY CHAPERONE                 Joanna Sprague

Watchung Hills Regional HS                                        SINGING IN THE RAIN          Gail DiCicco

OUTSTANDING HAIR AND MAKE-UP ACHIEVEMENT

Final Nominations

Atlantic County Institute of Tech                               SEUSSICAL                             Leah Cacopardo, Erin Hanna,

Debe Carpenter, Catherine Chambers

Elizabeth Volpe

Delaware Valley Regional HS                                      THE ADDAMS FAMILY         Carrie Snodgrass

Gloucester County Institute of Tech                         LES MISÉRABLES                  Caitlin Geisser

Franklin HS                                                                     DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS     Amy Rice

Haddonfield Memorial HS                                           HEAD OVER HEELS               Dawn Sheidt

Sayreville War Memorial HS                                       THE LITTLE MERMAID         Grace English, Malaya Emory

Wallkill Valley Regional HS                                          THE WIZARD OF OZ             Christine Molnar

Honorable Mentions

Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS                    CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION    Derek Alfano

Cherry Hill HS East                                                         INTO THE WOODS               None Listed

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

(20 finalists, 10 recipients will be announced)

Final Nominations

Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS                    CHICAGO: TEEN EDITION    Lilly Resnick, Production Stage Manager

Bergen County Academies                                          FIDDLER ON THE ROOF       Sofia Merie Maravillas,

Production Stage Manager

Bergen County Academies                                          FIDDLER ON THE ROOF       Marketing Team

Carteret HS                                                                     PIPPIN                                    Nia Serrano, Dance Captain

Cedar Grove HS                                                             THE PROM                             Katarina Leno, Prop Crew Chief

Eastern Regional HS                                                     FROZEN                                  Mazie O’Keefe, Costume Head, Wigs

Eastern Regional HS                                                     FROZEN                                  Team Sven, Puppet Build and Operation

Hillsborough HS                                                             LEGALLY BLONDE                 Sinara Sood, Producer

Madison HS                                                                    LITTLE WOMEN                    Skye Coen, Production Stage Manager

Morristown HS                                                              R + H’S CINDERELLA             Ava Zappulla, Student Director

Mount Olive HS                                                             MAMMA MIA!                      Olivier Kacprowicz, Emilie Felix,

Ensemble Captains

Princeton HS                                                                  NEWSIES                                Isabella Kolleeny, Lead Painter, Costumes

Princeton HS                                                                  NEWSIES                                Azlyn Haley, Head Carpenter

Princeton HS                                                                  NEWSIES                                Sasha Stepanova, Lighting Designer

Randolph HS                                                                  FIDDLER ON THE ROOF       Gavin Emdur, Emma Carothers, Dramaturgy

Summit HS                                                                      SOMETHING ROTTEN!         Costume Crew

Summit HS                                                                      SOMETHING ROTTEN!         Grace Coyle, Hair, Makeup

Westfield HS                                                                  SUNDAY IN THE PARK          Set DesigCrew

Westfield HS                                                                  SUNDAY IN THE PARK         Ryan Karlin, Production Stage Manager

Westfield HS                                                                  SUNDAY IN THE PARK         Sophie Havens, Music Director

Honorable Mentions

Princeton HS                                                                  NEWSIES                                Lily Raphael, Production Stage Manager

Princeton HS                                                                   NEWSIES                                Colin Lansky, Sound, Projections

THE EDUCATIONAL IMPACT AWARD

Final Nominations

Carteret HS                                           PIPPIN

Cedar Grove HS                                    THE PROM

Hillsborough HS                                   LEGALLY BLONDE

Jonathan Dayton HS                            HEATHERS: SCHOOL EDITION

Madison HS                                           LITTLE WOMEN

Morristown HS                                     R + H’S CINDERELLA

Ridge HS                                                 NEWSIES

Weehawken HS                                    SISTER ACT

RISING STAR “THEATER FOR EVERYONE” INCLUSION AND ACCESS AWARD

Final Nominations

Atlantic County Institute of Technology                          SEUSSICAL

Butler HS                                                                               ALL SHOOK UP

Eastern Regional HS                                                            FROZEN

Madison HS                                                                           LITTLE WOMEN

Jose Marti STEM Academy                                                 URINETOWN

Lakeland Regional HS                                                          SHREK

Moorestown HS                                                                   R & H’S CINDERELLA

Morristown HS                                                                     R + H’S CINDERELLA

Mount Olive HS                                                                    MAMMA MIA!

Perth Amboy HS                                                                   INTO THE WOODS

Ridge HS                                                                                 NEWSIES

Secaucus HS                                                                          THE PROM

Weehawken HS                                                                    SISTER ACT

West Milford Township HS                                                SOMETHING ROTTEN!

OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD

Final Nominations

Academy for Performing Arts at UCVTS                          Steven Collins

Butler HS                                                                               Kelsie Daniels

Ewing HS                                                                                Christine Monaco Caldwell

Madison HS                                                                           Blake Spence

Manasquan HS                                                                     Madison Schille

Mount Olive HS                                                                    Jodi Bosch

Pingry School                                                                        Alan Van Antwerp

Princeton HS                                                                         Julianna Krawiecki

Ridge HS                                                                                 Tim Lynch

PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is a nationally renowned not-for-profit theater under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Michael Stotts (Executive Director). A beloved New Jersey arts institution since 1938, Paper Mill creates and produces groundbreaking new musicals and reimagined classics. Several productions have gone on to Broadway and launched national tours, including Disney’s Newsies, Les Misérables, Honeymoon in Vegas, A Bronx Tale, and Bandstand. The theater is also the home to an award-winning center for musical theater education and artist training, with outreach programs that impact thousands of students each year. As one of the nation’s premier musical theaters, Paper Mill fosters a creative environment to advance the art form, educate students, develop future theater lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all. We acknowledge that our theater stands on the traditional land of the Lenni-Lenape, and we honor the Indigenous people who inhabited it for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

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The post Paper Mill Playhouse Announces 2023 Rising Star Award Nominations appeared first on Paper Mill Playhouse.

Casting Announced for

 The Sound of Music

Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Suggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp
Music Directed by Meg Zervoulis
Choreographed by Kenny Ingram
Directed by Mark S. Hoebee

December 2, 2022 – January 1, 2023
at Paper Mill Playhouse

(October 19, 2022 – Millburn, NJ) – Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director; Michael Stotts, Managing Director), recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, has announced casting for The Sound of Music, directed by Mark S. Hoebee.

The production will feature Ashley Blanchet (Paper Mill’s Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Broadway’s Waitress) as Maria Rainer, Graham Rowat (Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen, Sunset Boulevard) as Captain Georg von Trapp, Cáitlín Burke (The Sound of Music national tour) as Mother Abbess, Emily Borromeo (Broadway’s School of Rock, The Prom first national tour) as Elsa Schraeder, Gavin Lee (Paper Mill’s Beauty and the Beast, Broadway’s SpongeBob SquarePants) as Max Detweiler, Analise Scarpaci (Broadway’s Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda) as Liesl von Trapp, Andrew Alstat as Rolf Gruber (Grease at Cape Playhouse, The Sound of Music at the Muny), Stacia Fernandez (Paper Mill’s Beauty and the Beast, Broadway’s Mamma Mia!) as Frau Schmidt, Christopher Gurr (Paper Mill’s The Sting, Broadway’s Kinky Boots) as Herr Zeller, Paul Slade Smith (Broadway’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, My Fair Lady) as Franz, and Mark Banik (Beautiful first national tour) as Admiral von Schreiber.

The von Trapp children will be played by Coleman Simmons (age 14, from West Orange, NJ) as Friedrich, Jacey Sink (age 12, from Summit, NJ) as Louisa, Cody Braverman (age 10, from Short Hills, NJ) as Kurt, Tara Rajan (age 9, from Sands Point, NY) as Brigitta, Austin Elle Fisher (age 9, from Tinton Falls, NJ) as Marta, Charlotte Sydney Harrington (age 7, from Shelton, CT) as Gretl, and standbys Charlotte Ewing (age 11, from Chatham, NJ) and Ethan Joseph (age 12, from Somerset, NJ).

The ensemble cast will feature Griffin Binnicker, Dean Cestari, Brittany Conigatti, Nick Davis, Vincent DiPeri, Madeleine Doherty, Eric Michael Gillett, Gina Hanzlik, Katie Horner, Mary Illes, Meredith Lustig, Kate Mazza, Christine Price, Chandler Reeves, Emily Royer, Kayleen Seidl, Ariana Valdes, and Kai B. White.

The show will begin performances at Paper Mill Playhouse on Friday, December 2 and play through Sunday, January 1, 2023. Opening night is set for Sunday, December 4.

Celebrate the holidays with the heart-soaring melodies of The Sound of Music, including such beloved gems as “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss,” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” Directed by Paper Mill Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s final musical conjures an Austria replete with rolling hills, singing nuns, and a tender love story, set in the shadow of World War II.

Directed by Paper Mill’s Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, The Sound of Music features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Kenny Ingram (Paper Mill’s Songs for a New World, A Jolly Holiday and Dreamgirls) returns to choreograph, alongside Meg Zervoulis (Broadway’s Funny Girl and 2020 West Side Story revival) as music director and conductor.

The Sound of Music will feature scenic design by Kelly James Tighe (PMP’s Songs for a New World and Jolly Holiday), based on original scenic design by James Fouchard (PMP’s Kiss Me, Kate and Grease); costume design by Leon Dobkowski (PMP’s Annie, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike), based on original costume design by Tony Award winner Catherine Zuber (Broadway’s Mrs. Doubtfire, Moulin Rouge!); lighting design by Charlie Morrison (PMP’s On Your Feet!, Sister Act); sound design by Sun Hee Kil (Suffs at The Public, Broadway’s Choir Boy); and hair and wig design by Jimmy Goode (The Public’s As You Like It, Suffs). Gary Mickelson serves as Production Stage Manager. Casting is by Nora Brennan Casting, CSA.

Paper Mill Playhouse offers its audiences the opportunity to enhance their theater experience with behind-the-scenes views of mainstage productions, including Q&A with the cast. Paper Mill Prologues and The Director’s Viewpoint will be available to everyone on the Paper Mill Playhouse mobile app.

Tickets start at $35 may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at papermill.org.  Groups of 10 or more may receive up to a up to 30% discount on tickets and should call 973.376.4343. Students may purchase $20 tickets. Patrons under 30 years old may purchase tickets for $30 to any performance. Three-show and four-show subscription packages are also available starting at just $111.

Paper Mill Playhouse offers award-winning access programs and services, including audio-described performances on Saturday December 17, 2022, 1:30pm and Sunday December 18, 2022, 1:30pm (sensory seminars for the blind are held at noon) and an open-captioned performance on Sunday December 18, 2022, 7:00pm. Braille and large-print programs and assistive listening devices are available.

Programs, dates, and artists are subject to change.

PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is a nationally renowned not-for-profit theater under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Michael Stotts (Managing Director). A beloved New Jersey arts institution since 1938, Paper Mill creates and produces groundbreaking new musicals and reimagined classics. Several productions have gone on to Broadway and launched national tours, including Disney’s Newsies, Les Misérables, Honeymoon in Vegas, A Bronx Tale, and Bandstand. The theater is also the home to an award-winning center for musical theater education and artist training, with outreach programs that impact thousands of students each year. As one of the nation’s premier musical theaters, Paper Mill fosters a creative environment to advance the art form, educate students, develop future theater lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all. We acknowledge that our theater stands on the traditional land of the Lenni-Lenape, and we honor the Indigenous people who inhabited it for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

PaperMill.org

Follow Paper Mill Playhouse on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Ashley Blanchet (Maria Rainer) is absolutely thrilled to be back at Paper Mill Playhouse, where she was last seen in the title role of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Broadway: Waitress (Dawn), Frozen (Elsa u/s), Beautiful (Little Eva), Annie (Star to Be), Memphis. This summer she was Miss New Hampshire in the world premiere of the new musical The Bedwetter, written by Josh Harmon, Adam Schlesinger, and Sarah Silverman. Film/TV: The Good Fight, Better Nate Than Ever on Disney+, and the award-winning short animated film Are You Okay?, voicing the lead character, Raquelle. BFA UMich and The Walnut Hill School in Natick, MA. Instagram: @a_blanchet

Graham Rowat (Captain Georg von Trapp). Broadway: Dear Evan Hansen, Meteor Shower, Sunset Boulevard, Mamma Mia!, Guys and Dolls, LoveMusik, Dracula, Beauty and the Beast. Off Broadway: The Blue Flower (Second Stage), The Boys in the Band (Transport Group), The Minister’s Wife (Lincoln Center Theater). National Tours: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (San Francisco, Toronto), Les Misérables (US and China). Regional: Constellations, Bells Are Ringing, A Little Night Music (Berkshire Theatre Group), Arcadia (Yale Rep), A Funny Thing…Forum (Two River Theater, Williamstown Theatre Festival). TV: Evil, Madam Secretary, Elementary, Law & Order. Recordings: LoveMusik (Broadway cast recording), Life Begins at 8:40, Sweet Bye and Bye (PS Classics). linktr.ee/grahamrowat

Cáitlín Burke (Mother Abbess). National Tour: The Sound of Music. New York: The Pirates of Penzance (City Center), The Mikado (City Center), Ruddigore (City Center), Cinderella (NAAP), Honor (Prospect), Patience (Symphony Space). Regional: The Sound of Music (Kennedy Center), A Christmas Carol (North Shore Music Theatre), The Mikado (Wolf Trap), Master Class, By Jeeves (Meadow Brook Theatre), The King and I, South Pacific, Avenue Q, M. Butterfly (Forestburgh Playhouse). London: The House of Murgatroyd (International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival), The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, The Mikado (National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Co.).

Emily Borromeo (Elsa Schraeder). Paper Mill Playhouse debut! Most recently: Angie in the first national tour of The Prom. Broadway and National Tour: School of Rock. Off Broadway: Broadway Bounty Hunter (by Joe Iconis). TV: Host and writer of “Sunny Side Up,” a preschool series (Emmy nomination; Sprout/NBCUniversal), “Tell Me a Story” (CBS), “Sneaky Pete” (Amazon), “The Jim Gaffigan Show” (TV Land), “The Sing-Off” (NBC). Brown University graduate.

Gavin Lee (Max Detweiler). Paper Mill: Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast. Broadway: Squidward in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical (Tony nomination, Drama Desk Award), Thénardier in Les Misérables, Bert in Disney’s Mary Poppins (Tony and Olivier nominations, Drama Desk and Theatre World Awards). Other theater: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Madison Square Garden), Show Boat (Carnegie Hall), Holiday Inn (Goodspeed). London’s West End: Beauty and the Beast, Top Hat, Mary Poppins, Crazy for You, Peggy Sue Got Married, Me and My Girl, Oklahoma!, and Contact. TV: White Collar, Little America, Law & Order: SVU, The Good Wife. Instagram: @gavinleeofficial

Analise Scarpaci (Liesl von Trapp) is beyond thrilled to be playing the oldest role she has ever played: “16 going on 17” at the age of 23. She most recently starred in Broadway’s Mrs. Doubtfire as Lydia Hillard. Analise began her journey on Broadway at age 12 in A Christmas Story: The Musical as Esther Jane, followed by her role as a swing in Matilda. Her debut EP, Pathetic Little Dreamer, is streaming on all platforms! BFA Pace University, Musical Theatre. analisescarpaci.com

Andrew Alstat (Rolf Gruber) is hitting the Paper Mill stage for the first time and is so excited to be a part of this timeless show yet again. Recent credits include Grease (Danny Zuko) at Cape Playhouse, The Sound of Music (Rolf), Footloose (Chuck Cranston), and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Muny. Other credits: The Rocky Horror Show (Rocky), Legally Blonde (Emmett), and Anything Goes (Billy Crocker). BFA CCM 2020. Instagram: @a12tat

Stacia Fernandez (Frau Schmidt) is thrilled to be back at Paper Mill, where she was last seen as Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. Recent: The Drowsy Chaperone, Native Gardens. Broadway: Mamma Mia!, The Drowsy Chaperone, Swing, Tom Sawyer, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Beauty and the Beast. Tours: Evita, Beauty and the Beast, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, and more. Regional: Mrs. Potts three times, Reno in Anything Goes, Diana in Next to Normal, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Anna in The King and I, Grizabella in Cats. Films: Enchanted, Shaggy Dogg, Captain America, and Frozen 2. Partner in Streamingmusicals.com (1660vine.com coming!). Co Writer of The Loop and A Smalltowne Christmas. Visit at staciafernandez.com.

Christopher Gurr (Herr Zeller). Paper Mill Playhouse: The Sting with Harry Connick, Jr. Broadway: Cats (revival), Tuck Everlasting, Kinky Boots, Amazing Grace, and All the Way with Bryan Cranston. National Tours: Memphis and Monty Python’s Spamalot. Off Broadway: Call Me Madam and Parade at City Center, Cyrano at New Group, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui at Classic Stage. Television: “Madame Secretary,” “Soul Santa,” “Gilded Age,” “The Good Fight,” five episodes as Godwin Page on “The Blacklist,” and, upcoming, season one of “Retreat” on FX. Union member: Actors’ Equity, SAG/AFTRA, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. ChristopherGurr.com

Paul Slade Smith (Franz) is an actor and playwright. His political comedy, The Outsider, had its East Coast premiere here at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2018. Paul’s newest play, Offstage Romance, premieres at California’s North Coast Repertory next fall. Paul’s acting credits include the original Broadway casts of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland, and Lincoln Center’s My Fair Lady. Touring credits include My Fair Lady, Wicked, and The Phantom of the Opera. Regional credits include Steppenwolf, Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and, most recently, Eureka Day at Asolo Repertory.

Mark Banik (Admiral von Schreiber). Tours: My Fair Lady (LCT), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (first national). Other credits include Cherry Lane Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Shakespeare Theatre DC, Riverside Theatre, Fulton Opera House, and Music Theatre Wichita, among others. Film: The Vast of Night (Amazon Original), Ask for Jane (Amazon Original).

Mark S. Hoebee (Director) joined the artistic team at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2000. Under his leadership as Producing Artistic Director, Paper Mill was presented with the Regional Theatre Tony Award in 2016 and in recent years launched such noteworthy projects as the world premieres of Newsies, in partnership with Disney Theatrical Productions; Honeymoon in Vegas; Bandstand; A Bronx Tale; The Wanderer; Ever After; The Honeymooners; My Very Own British Invasion; Unmasked: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, with the Really Useful Group; and The Sting starring Harry Connick, Jr.; as well as the American premieres of the 25th Anniversary Production of Les Misérables, working alongside Cameron Mackintosh; Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame; and the national tour of The Bodyguard starring Deborah Cox. On Broadway, Mark directed the Actors Fund benefit of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas starring Jennifer Hudson. He directed national tours of Victor/Victoria starring Toni Tennille, Dreamgirls, Company, and An Evening of Lerner and Loewe starring Diahann Carroll. Select directing credits at Paper Mill include West Side Story; Beauty and the Beast; Annie; Mary Poppins; Dreamgirls; Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella; Songs for a New World; Hello, Dolly! starring Tovah Feldshuh; Harold and Maude: The Musical with Estelle Parsons; The Will Rogers Follies starring John Davidson; Meet Me in St. Louis; The King and I; Miss Saigon; Disney’s High School Musical; Peter Pan; Smokey Joe’s Cafe; Damn Yankees; and The Full Monty starring Broadway legend Elaine Stritch. He resides in Glen Ridge with his partner Larry Elardo, Broadcast Coordinating Producer for the CBS Evening News and CBS Sunday Morning, and their children, Stephen and Ashley.

Kenny Ingram (Choreographer) is grateful to return to Paper Mill for The Sound of Music; he previously choreographed Dreamgirls under Mark S. Hoebee and last season’s A Jolly Holiday and Songs for a New World. Mr. Ingram recently was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award for his direction and choreography of Blues in the Night at Porchlight Music Theatre in Chicago. He recently directed and choreographed Cinderella at Theatre By The Sea. Mr. Ingram choreographed the first national tour of Emojiland and the Off Broadway company, which was recently filmed. Mr. Ingram also directed and choreographed Triple Threat starring James T. Lane at Zeiders American Dream Theatre in Virginia, and he choreographed Kinky Boots at Maine State Music Theatre and at the Fulton. kennyingram.com

Meghann Zervoulis Bate (Music Director & Conductor). Broadway: Funny Girl, West Side Story (2020 revival), The Prom, Mean Girls, Great Comet of 1812. Off Broadway: Only Gold (MCC), The Visitor (The Public Theater), Merrily We Roll Along (Fiasco/Roundabout), Cagney, Rated P. New works in development: White Girl in Danger and We Won’t Sleep. Here at her home base, Paper Mill Playhouse, Meg’s credits include Mary Poppins, Bandstand, Ever After, and the annual New Voices concerts. Meg is also active as a music educator and music therapist. Education: Carnegie Mellon University. www.megzmusic.com

James Fouchard (Original Scenic Design). Paper Mill: The Sound of Music; Kiss Me, Kate; Joseph… Dreamcoat; Grease. Tours: Can-Can (starring Chita Rivera), Joseph… Dreamcoat (starring Patrick Cassidy), The Show-Off (starring Jean Stapleton), 42nd Street (Asia), Thoroughly Modern Millie, Phantom, Little Shop of Horrors, South Pacific, Sound of Music (USA, Asia), Crazy for You, Grease, Oklahoma!, Singin’ in the Rain, Porgy and Bess, Will Rogers Follies, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, and Evita (supervised by Harold Prince). Regional: Kennedy Center, Pittsburgh CLO, American Musical Theater, Ford’s Theatre, Walnut Street, Syracuse Stage, Everyman Theatre, Theatre of the Stars, Feld Entertainment, Olney Theatre, Totem Pole Playhouse, Harrah’s (Atlantic City, Lake Tahoe).

Kelly James Tighe (Scenic Design) is pleased to return to Paper Mill for his tenth project. Off Broadway/National Tours: Martin Luther on Trial, The Most Reluctant Convert, The Great Divorce, The Fantasticks, Almost Heaven, Movin’ Out, Shear Madness, Cats. Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, Slow Burn Theatre Co., Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival, San Jose Rep, Laguna Playhouse, Center Rep, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Sacramento Theatre Company, Gateway Playhouse, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Diablo Theatre, Ray of Light. Mr. Tighe’s theatrical work is published in the textbook Scene Design and Stage Lighting, and his work as an illustrator has been published in Mooseltoe: A Moose and a Dream. Awards: SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, Drama-Logue, Shellie.

Catherine Zuber (Original Costume Design). Broadway: Mrs. Doubtfire, Moulin Rouge! (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle awards), My Fair Lady (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle awards), Oslo, Junk, The Father, War Paint (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle awards), The King and I (Olivier and Tony awards), Fiddler on the Roof, Golden Boy, South Pacific (Tony Award), The Coast of Utopia (Tony Award), The Light in the Piazza (Tony Award), Awake and Sing! (Tony Award), The Royal Family (Tony Award), Edward Albee’s Seascape, Gigi (Drama Desk Award). Theater Hall of Fame inductee, 2016.

Leon Dobkowski (Costume Design). For Paper Mill: Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Mary Poppins, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Additional credits include the Muny (St. Louis Theater Circle Award, Seussical, The Wiz; Judy Award, Tarzan), Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars, Weston Playhouse, Feld Entertainment’s Disney Live, George Street Playhouse, Irish Repertory Theatre, Yale Repertory Theater, Pittsburgh CLO, Music Theatre Wichita, Engeman Theater, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Penguin Rep, Epic Theatre Ensemble, NYMF (Outstanding Costume Design, Claudio Quest), Cape May Stage, TheatreWorks Hartford (CT Critics Choice Award nomination, The Legend of Georgia McBride). MFA Yale School of Drama. www.LeonDobkowski.com, @MrLeonD

Charlie Morrison (Lighting Design). Paper Mill: On Your Feet!, Sister Act, Songs for a New World, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story, The Little Mermaid, Curtains, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, The Full Monty, Meet Me in St. Louis, many more. National/International Tours: The Little Mermaid; How the Grinch Stole Christmas; A Christmas Story; The Producers; Hello, Dolly!; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; Miss Saigon; Aida; Man of La Mancha; Guys and Dolls; Groovaloo; My Fair Lady; The King and I; 42nd Street; The Who’s Tommy; and many others. Regional: Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC), Guthrie, Goodspeed, Seattle Rep, Dallas Summer Musicals, TUTS, 5th Avenue, Kansas City Starlight, Pittsburgh CLO, George Street Playhouse, PlayMakers Rep, Tulsa Opera, and more. Two Helen Hayes Awards (seven nominations). www.cmlighting.com

Sun Hee Kil (Sound Design) is from South Korea. NYC: As You Like It (Shakespeare in the Park), Suffs (Public); The Visitor (Public); A Man of No Importance (CSC); New Victory Dance (New Victory); Goldie, Max and Milk (59E59); Flipside: The Patti Page Story (59E59); The Color Purple (Audio Experience). Associate for 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies; Broadway: Choir Boy (Tony Award, Best Sound Design), Bernhardt/Hamlet, The Rose Tattoo; Off Broadway: Emmet Otter (New Victory), Greater Clements (Lincoln Center); International Tour: Dreamgirls. Associate Professor of Sound Design at SUNY New Paltz. www.sunheekil.com

Jimmy Goode (Hair & Wig Design) is excited to be joining the Paper Mill Playhouse family. Jimmy has been doing hair for Broadway, TV/film, and national tours for the past 14 years. Broadway: Mrs. Doubtfire (associate design), Mean Girls. National Tours: Mean Girls (associate design), The Book of Mormon, Sister Act, The Wedding Singer, Evita, Hairspray, Saturday Night Fever. Film: Killers of the Flower Moon, Joker, Maestro, Spielberg’s West Side Story. TV: “SNL,” “The Other Two” (dept. head), “FBI: Most Wanted,” “Emily in Paris,” “At Home with Amy Sedaris,” “Bull.” Much gratitude and love to Kyle, my family, David, Jameson, and Kay.

Gary Mickelson (Production Stage Manager) comes back to Paper Mill directly from the world premiere of The Griswolds’ Broadway Vacation. He has done twelve shows here; his favorites include The Other Josh Cohen, Elf, and both shows in the “Tenor-Verse.” Broadway: Come From Away, Dr. Zhivago, First Date, Memphis, Gypsy, Company, Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life, A Christmas Carol, The Lion in Winter, Triumph of Love, Victor/Victoria. National Tours: The Producers, Hairspray, Grease!. Off Broadway: Whorl Inside a Loop. He has captained four championship Broadway Bowling League teams and managed a championship Broadway Show League softball team.

Nora Brennan Casting, CSA (Casting). Broadway: Children’s casting director for Billy Elliot, Matilda, and The Audience starring Helen Mirren. Benny & Joon (Paper Mill Playhouse), Summer and Smoke (Classic Stage Company), And Away We Go (Pearl Theatre), West Side Story (La Scala Opera House, Milan). Nora is resident casting director for Transport Group, a NYC based theatre company. Select shows include: Broadbend, Arkansas; Picnic; Come Back, Little Sheba; Renascence; Queen of the Mist; Hello Again; The Unsinkable Molly Brown; All the Way Home; Dark at the Top of the Stairs, and others.

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