Paper Mill Playhouse Hires New Managing Director

The Paper Mill Playhouse Board of Trustees (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director) is proud to announce the appointment of Todd Schmidt as Paper Mill Playhouse's Managing Director. "Paper Mill Playhouse has truly turned a corner," says Ken Wenger, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. "Todd Schmidt's experience with financial oversight, board development, administrative leadership and building contributed support will allow Paper Mill Playhouse to grow. Finding a candidate already engaged in the New Jersey arts community, who knows our stakeholders and our mission was an important element of the search. Paper Mill Playhouse has developed a strong artistic foundation with many successful productions in recent years and Todd Schmidt is the right match for our Producing Artistic Director Mark Hoebee."

"I am thrilled to have Todd as a partner to help the organization grow and carry forward our artistic achievements," comments Mark S. Hoebee, Paper Mill Playhouse's Producing Artistic Director. Todd Schmidt joins Paper Mill Playhouse after three successful seasons as Managing Director at the esteemed George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey. "At George Street Playhouse, Todd consistently raised contributed income while presenting the governing body with a solid, balanced budget," says Hoebee. "We are delighted to add Todd's dedication, commitment, and passion to strengthen our service to our patrons and reinforce our commitment to the highest standards of theatrical performance, arts education, and community outreach to the residents of New Jersey and beyond."

Previous to his work with George Street Playhouse, Todd served as the Executive Producer of Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theatre, in Door County, Wisconsin. While with the Peninsula Players, Todd produced more than 70 plays and led the theater through a remarkable period of growth that revitalized and reorganized the organization culminating in the opening of a new state-of-the-art performance space in 2006. During this period, Todd raised more than seven million dollars through a capital campaign.

"I am honored to move into the role of Managing Director and work with Mark Hoebee, the theater staff and the Paper Mill Playhouse Board of Trustees as Paper Mill Playhouse enters its 72nd season," says Todd Schmidt. "Paper Mill Playhouse is a vital artistic and education center recognized throughout the region and the nation for its high-quality, innovative theater and training programs and I am proud to be a part of the future of this historic arts institution. I value Mark Hoebee's wonderful artistic vision for Paper Mill Playhouse and aspire to support the many programs Paper Mill Playhouse has to offer."

Todd is currently vice chairman of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance and is past president of the Council of Resident Summer Theatres and the Peninsula Arts and Humanities Alliance. He is a founding member of Theatre Wisconsin, the alliance of professional theaters in the state. Todd holds an MFA degree from the Goodman School of Drama, DePaul University and a BA from Auburn University, Alabama. He has been on the faculty of Loyola University-Chicago, directed for Oakland University in Detroit, and has worked with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and Apple Tree Theatre.

Paper Mill Playhouse's 2010 - 2011 Season
Hairspray opens the season aerosol style in September with its high-energy, show stopping dance numbers and a powerful message of love and acceptance. In November, the epic tale of the French Revolution is brought to life in Les Misérables. Brightening the winter season in January, Paper Mill Playhouse showcases adolescent overachievers in the hit musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Paper Mill Playhouse brings in the Spring with the legendary comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. The 2010-2011 season closes with the musical-comedy, murder-mystery, Curtains. Investors Savings Bank is the proud sponsor of the 2010-2011 season.

Order tickets early to avoid shows selling out like they did last season for Little House on the Prairie - The Musical and Peter Pan. Becoming a Paper Mill Playhouse subscriber is the best way to reserve the best seat at the best price. Each subscription package includes a different level of special benefits such as a pass to the Center Stage Society Lounge, discounts for your children, and a backstage tech tour. Paper Mill Playhouse will produce eight performances a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Single tickets range in price from $25-$92. Three, four and five show subscription packages are available. Packages start at $82.50. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or online at www.papermill.org or at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn,. The Box Office will be open from 10:00am till 6:00pm. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted. Groups of ten or more can receive up to a 25% discount or more on tickets and should call 973-379-3636 ext.2438.

"This collection of some of the most beloved titles in the American musical theater truly supports Paper Mill Playhouse's long standing legacy of producing the highest caliber theater for the widest audience possible," says Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director of the Millburn Theater.

September 22 - October 24
Hairspray
MUSIC BY MARC SHAIMAN
LYRICS BY SCOTT WITTMAN AND MARC SHAIMAN
BOOK BY MARK O'DONNELL AND THOMAS MEEHAN
Based on the 1988 John Waters Film 'Hairspray'
Winner of eight Tony Awards including "Best Musical" and "Best Original Score," the show Variety described as an "infinitely spirited, bubblegum-flavored confection" launches our new season aerosol-style. You'll tap your feet to the beat as Tracy Turnblad and friends triumph over high school bullies, racism and enemies everywhere of big girls with big hair.

November 19 - December 26
Cameron Mackintosh's Acclaimed New Production
Les Misérables
The New 25th Anniversary Production
COMPOSED BY CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHÖNBERG
LIBRETTIST IS ALAIN BOUBLIL
LYRICS BY HERBERT KRETZMER
Based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo
Romance, revolution and redemption, stirring songs including "I Dreamed a Dream" - in a dynamic new production! This is the show that inspired Frank Rich of The New York Times to write, "If anyone doubts that the contemporary musical theater can.yank an audience right out of its seats, he need look no further." No wonder it won eight Tonys! This is not the approved press release for Les Miz, is it?

January 19 - February 13
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY WILLIAM FINN
BOOK BY RACHEL SHEINKIN
Based upon C-R-E-P-U-S-C-U-L-E, an original improvisational play created by Rebecca Feldman
Craving a fun musical comedy to sweep you up in the action and keep you laughing all the way home? Then this Tony Award-winning story of six quirky competitors and three oddball adults in search of spelling bee glory is the show for you. Theatermania's David Finkle called it "a treat and a half." But we think one of the songs says it best: "If you like to laugh, if you like to spell, you'll like this competition very well."

March 16 - April 10
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY STEPHEN SONDHEIM
BOOK BY BURT SHEVELOVE AND LARRY GELBART
Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus
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!"

April 27 - May 22
Curtains
MUSIC BY JOHN KANDER
LYRICS BY FRED EBB
BOOK BY RUPERT HOLMES
Based on original book and concept by Peter Stone
Aspiring actor and detective Lt. Frank Cioffi is investigating the rising body count on the set of a Broadway-bound show - and starting a romance with one of the actors. Can he solve the case without becoming one of the victims? This musical mystery-comedy was created by John Kander and Fred Ebb, the award-winning composer and lyricist responsible for both Cabaret and Chicago. Curtains will have you on the edge of your seat - laughing!

PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, a not-for-profit arts organization, is one of the country's leading regional theaters and is supported 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, in addition to contributions from many corporations, foundations, businesses and individuals. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the National Alliance for Music Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

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