Paul Vogt Leads Paper Mill Playhouse's A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to announce casting for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Directed by Mark Waldrop, with choreography by Vince Pesce, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will run at the Millburn theater from March 16 through April 10, 2011. Family Week is March 16 to March 20 and during this period, children 18 and under receive half off the regular ticket price (certain restrictions apply). A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is generously supported by a grant from The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum was selected by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts as part of the American Masterpieces Series in New Jersey. American Masterpieces is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will play the following performance schedule: Wednesdays at 7:30PM (except March 23), Thursdays at 1:30PM & 7:30PM, Fridays at 8:00PM, Saturdays at 1:30PM & 8:00PM and Sundays at 1:30PM & 7:00PM. Single tickets are now on sale and range in price from $25 to $92. Student rush tickets are $25 and are available the day of performance in person with current student ID. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office on Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at Paper Mill Playhouse's website: www.papermill.org. Paper Mill Playhouse gift cards, available in any denomination, can be purchased at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted. Groups of ten or more can receive a 25% discount or more on tickets and should call 973-379-3636, extension 2438.

With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart (the award-winning writer of the film "Tootsie" and the "M*A*S*H" TV series), this hilarious, slapstick farce is regarded by many as a high point in the history of Broadway musical comedy. Be prepared to laugh early and often - as the signature show tune puts it, "Tragedy tomorrow, Comedy tonight!"

"We are excited to welcome Paul Vogt to Millburn for the first time," said Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee. "His hilarious characters on the hit show 'MADtv' have made lasting impressions with fans worldwide."

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum brings an uproariously talented cast to the Paper Mill Playhouse stage. Paul Vogt (Pseudolus) made his Broadway debut as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray. Film credits include: Garry Marshall's "Valentine's Day" and "Princess Diaries 2." Audiences know Mr. Vogt from "MADtv." This is Mr. Vogt's first Paper Mill Playhouse production. Stephen Berger (Marcus Lycus) returns to the Paper Mill Playhouse stage, where he appeared in Little Shop of Horrors, Rumors, and The Student Prince. Broadway credits include: Little Me, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, True West, The Dinner Party, Into the Woods and The Pajama Game. Justin Bowen (Hero) is thrilled to be making his Paper Mill Playhouse debut. Previous credits include: Big River, High School Musical, and Into the Woods, as well as CBS' "My Broadway Debut." Stephen Buntrock (Miles Gloriosus) recently starred opposite Bernadette Peters in Broadway's A Little Night Music. Other appearances on Broadway include: Oklahoma!, Beauty and the Beast, Jane Eyre, and Titanic. Chet Carlin's (Erronius) Broadway credits include: Gore Vidal's An Evening with Richard Nixon and First Monday in October starring Henry Fonda. Chelsea Krombach (Philia) appeared in Broadway's Wicked and Promises, Promises. Beth McVey's (Domina) Broadway credits include: Nine, Phantom of the Opera, and Beauty and the Beast. John Scherer (Hysterium) has appeared on Broadway in Lovemusik, By Jeeves, Sunset Boulevard, The Most Happy Fella (NYC Opera) and the Actors Fund benefit performance of Funny Girl. Greg Vinkler (Senex) was recently seen as Doc in the Broadway revival of West Side Story. He has performed at Chicago Shakespeare, Goodman, Steppenwolf, Victory Gardens, Writers', and Marriott theaters.

Rounding out the A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum cast are: Kristine Bendul, Nicole Benoit, Krisitine Covillo, Ryan Dietz, Michael Timothy Howell, Anthony Johnson, Liz McKendry, Anne Otto, Chondra L. Profit, Lara Seibert, and Bret Shuford.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum will be directed by Mark Waldrop. Mr. Waldrop directed Bea Arthur on Broadway in 2002. This is his fourth time directing at Paper Mill Playhouse, having directed Gypsy in 1998, Romeo and Bernadette in 2003, and Little Shop of Horrors in 2008. Mr. Waldrop's off-Broadway credits include: When Pigs Fly!, Pete 'n' Keely, and Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 at City Center "Encores." Vince Pesce joins the creative team as Choreographer. Mr. Pesce made his Paper Mill Playhouse debut with Little Shop of Horrors in 2008. Regional credits include: White Christmas, Grease, Guys and Dolls, and West Side Story. He was the Associate Choreographer to Kathleen Marshall on the Broadway productions of Anything Goes, The Pajama Game, Wonderful Town, and Little Shop of Horrors.

Ray Klausen will serve as scenic designer. Costume Designer is Matthew Hemesath. Lighting Design is by F. Mitchell Dana. Sound Design is by Randy Hansen. Tom Helm is Music Supervisor, Ed Goldschneider is Music Director, and Robert Meffe is Associate Music Director. The Production Stage Manager is Lois Griffing.

In conjunction with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Paper Mill Playhouse is proud to announce a series of free audience enrichment activities including: The Director's Viewpoint, March 16 at 6:30pm, Conversation Club, every Thursday evening at 6:30pm and Q&A with the Cast on April 9 following the matinee. Visit www.papermill.org for more details on Paper Mill Playhouse's Free Audience Enrichment Activities.

Paper Mill Playhouse, a not-for-profit arts organization, is one of the country's leading regional theaters. Paper Mill Playhouse programs 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, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support is provided by the generous contributions of numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.