NEWSIES, WHITE CHRISTMAS, BOEING-BOEING, DAMN YANKEES, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Set for Paper Mill

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee- Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) announced their 2011-2012 season, featuring four musicals, one play, and something for everyone. Paper Mill Playhouse will open its 2011-2012 season with the premiere of a new Disney stage musical, Newsies (September 15, 2011 - October 16, 2011). Featuring music by eight-time Academy Award®-winning composer Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Sister Act, The Little Mermaid), lyrics by Jack Feldman and a new book by four-time Tony® Award winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy), Newsies is adapted for the stage from the live-action Disney feature film musical. The production will be directed at Paper Mill by Tony® nominee Jeff Calhoun (The Will Rogers Follies, Grey Gardens).

"It's been thrilling to return to my beloved Newsies and to revisit, revamp and expand upon the score Jack Feldman and I wrote; especially with the exciting addition of a new book by brilliant Harvey Fierstein," says legendary composer Alan Menken. "This collaboration has been a total joy. And I can't wait to see our new baby come to life."

Newsies is inspired by the real life ‘Newsboy Strike of 1899,' when newsboy Kid Blink led the ragged orphans and runaways known as "newsies" on a two-week-long action against Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers. Set in New York City at the turn of the century, the musical is the tale of newsie Jack Kelly, who dreams of a better life far from the hardship of the streets. But when Pulitzer and Hearst raise distribution prices at the newsies' expense, Jack finds a cause to fight for and rallies his army of newsies to strike.

"We are thrilled that Disney Theatrical has chosen Paper Mill Playhouse to premiere this new musical," says Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director for the Millburn theater. "This is an important project for Paper Mill Playhouse as we help to bring this brand new Disney musical to our stage and beyond."

May your ‘holi'days be merry and bright. Paper Mill Playhouse brings in the 2011 holiday season with the New Jersey premiere of White Christmas (November 16, 2011 - December 18, 2011). Based on the beloved Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye film, this merry musical tells the tale of two famous song-and-dance men who stage a show in a scenic, snow-topped Vermont inn - and end up finding love with two singing sisters under the mistletoe. With laughter, crazy plot turns, Broadway-size production numbers and the unforgettable music and lyrics of the legendary Irving Berlin.

Brightening the winter season in January, Paper Mill Playhouse showcases the hit comedy Boeing-Boeing (January 18, 2012 - February 12, 2012). Bernard, an American playboy in swinging '60s Paris, juggles three flight-attendant fiancées - one American, one French and one Italian. With the help of airline timetables and a phenomenally efficient housekeeper, he convinces each she is his only love. But then - mon dieu! - a fast new Boeing jet puts the flight attendants on a collision course, hurtles his cunning deception toward disaster, and provides the lift-off for laugh after laugh.

Just in time for spring training, Paper Mill Playhouse presents the legendary musical comedy Damn Yankees (March 7, 2012 - April 1, 2012). Joe Boyd loves the Washington Senators baseball team a little too much. The proof: When a devilish dealmaker offers the chance to beat the "damn Yankees" in return for Joe's soul, Joe takes it. But as the Senators' stats soar, Joe realizes he's losing his beloved wife and looks for a loophole. Enter sizzling-hot temptress Lola, a charter member of the Homewreckers Hall of Fame. "Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets," goes the well-known song.

To close the 2011-2012 season comes a musical from the award-winning writer-composer team behind Ragtime, telling a tale of romance, tragedy, redemption and rebirth with sunny songs, captivating choreography and an irresistible Calypso beat in Once on This Island (May 30, 2012 - June 24, 2012).

"Paper Mill Playhouse is delighted to produce a season that appeals to a wide audience," says Managing Director Todd Schmidt. "We could not produce such a season without the continued support of our partners at Investors Savings Bank." Investors Savings Bank is the proud sponsor of Paper Mill Playhouse's 2011-2012 season renewing its support for the fourth consecutive year.

"The Investors Savings Bank-Paper Mill Playhouse relationship continues, and Investors is pleased to be the proud season sponsor for its 2011-2012 shows," said Kevin Cummings, President and CEO. "Paper Mill Playhouse is a performing arts treasure for the tri-state area, with productions that rival Broadway. Investors is glad to help keep live theater alive and well for our residents."

Paper Mill Playhouse will produce eight performances a week, Wednesday through Sunday. (Newsies begins at Paper Mill Playhouse on Thursday, September 15, 2011) Three, four and five-show subscription packages are available beginning February 17, starting at $84. Each subscription package includes a different level of special benefits (see www.papermill.org for details). Single tickets will go on sale this summer and range in price from $25 to $96. Student rush tickets are $25 and are available the day of the performance in person with current student ID. Tickets and subscriptions may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.papermill.org. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. Groups of ten or more can receive up to a 25% discount on tickets and should call 973-379-3636, ext. 2438.

Paper Mill Playhouse 2011-2012 Season

Newsies (September 15, 2011-October 16, 2011)
Music by Lyrics by Book by
Alan Menken Jack Feldman Harvey Fierstein
Read all about it! Paper Mill Playhouse is proud to present the premiere of a brand new musical, Newsies, adapted for the stage from the popular Disney film. Based on the 1899 true story of a courageous group of scrappy newsboys who become unlikely heroes when they rally forces to fight an unscrupulous newspaper tycoon, Newsies features a book by Harvey Fierstein, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and music by eight-time Academy Award winning composer Alan Menken. With its rousing score, rollicking choreography, and defy-all-odds inspirational story, Disney's Newsies will have you cheering - and Paper Mill Playhouse is the ONLY place you can see it!

Irving Berlin's White Christmas - The Musical (November 16, 2011-December 17, 2011)
Music & Lyrics by Book by
Irving Berlin David Ives & Paul Blake
Don't worry about the weather forecast - it's going to be a White Christmas at Paper Mill Playhouse! Based on the beloved Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye film, this merry musical tells the tale of two famous song-and-dance men who stage a show in a scenic, snow-topped Vermont inn - and end up finding love with two singing sisters under the mistletoe. With laughter, crazy plot turns, Broadway-size production numbers and the unforgettable music and lyrics of the legendary Irving Berlin, White Christmas is a brightly wrapped holiday gift.

Boeing-Boeing (January 18, 2012-February 12, 2012)
By Marc Camoletti
Bernard, an American playboy in swinging '60s Paris, juggles three flight-attendant fiancées - one American, one French and one Italian. With the help of airline timetables and a phenomenally efficient housekeeper, he convinces each she is his only love. But then - mon dieu! - a fast new Boeing jet puts the flight attendants on a collision course, hurtles his cunning deception toward disaster, and provides the lift-off for laugh after laugh.

Damn Yankees (March 7, 2012-April 1, 2012)
Lyrics & Music by Book by
Richard Adler and Jerry Ross George Abbott & Douglass Wallop
Joe Boyd loves the Washington Senators baseball team a little too much. The proof: When a devilish dealmaker offers the chance to beat the "damn Yankees" in return for Joe's soul, Joe takes it. But as the Senators' stats soar, Joe realizes he's losing his beloved wife and looks for a loophole. Enter sizzling-hot temptress Lola, a charter member of the Homewreckers Hall of Fame. "Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets," goes the well-known song. Who will win? We're not telling!

Once on this Island (May 30, 2012-June 24, 2012)
Book and Lyrics by Music by
Lynn Ahrens Stephen Flaherty
Take a trip to an island paradise where palm trees sway in Caribbean breezes. Can a poor peasant girl find true love with the rich young man whose life she saves? Not if quarreling island gods have anything to do with it! This tropical treat from the award-winning writer-composer team behind Ragtime tells a tale of romance, tragedy, redemption and rebirth with sunny songs, captivating choreography and an irresistible Calypso beat.

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