Paper Mill Sets On-Sale Date for New Season, Featuring THE BODYGUARD Tour Launch

Paper Mill Playhouse will begin selling tickets to the general public for its 2016-2017 season on Monday, August 8. The theater announced the lineup for its 2016-2017 season, featuring four musicals, one play and a highly anticipated US premiere in February, but only season ticket buyers have had access to purchase seats.

Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, 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 10 or more can receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680. Students may order $20 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office on the day of the performance. Season subscriptions are on sale now and are available by calling 973-315-3717 or by visiting the theater's website. Paper Mill Playhouse's 2016-2017 season is proudly sponsored by Investors Bank.

Paper Mill Playhouse will open its 2016-2017 season with the Mel Brooks' laugh-out-loud musical spectacle The Producers (September 28-October 23). In November, Paper Mill Playhouse will launch the national tour of the US premiere musical The Bodyguard (November 25-January 1) starring Grammy Award nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox. Based on Lawrence Kasdan's Oscar-nominatEd Warner Bros. film and adapted by Academy Award-winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), The Bodyguard had its world premiere in London's West End where it was nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including best new musical and won best new musical at the Whatsonstage Awards. In February, Paper Mill Playhouse presents A Comedy of Tenors (February 1-February 26), the critically acclaimed sequel to Ken Ludwig's Lend Me a Tenor. Paper Mill Playhouse presented Lend Me a Tenor in 2013 and it remains one of the theater's most popular plays. Next spring, Paper Mill Playhouse will bring some classic rock to New Jersey with Million Dollar Quartet (March 29-April 23), the smash-hit musical inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock 'n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Paper Mill Playhouse will close its 78th season with the practically perfect musical, Mary Poppins (May 24-June 25). Based on the book by P.L. Travers and one of the most popular films of all time, Mary Poppins is an enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs and breathtaking dance numbers.

"Paper Mill Playhouse continues its legacy of bringing the finest musical theater to the audiences of New Jersey and beyond," commented Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director for the Millburn theater. "We are excited to launch the US premiere musical and national tour of The Bodyguard right here in Millburn. Each time Paper Mill Playhouse has produced a show that has a life beyond our theater, it brings great pride to the people of our state. Paper Mill Playhouse is a leading exporter of art in New Jersey, and we are ecstatic to continue that tradition."

"Paper Mill Playhouse has increased its subscriber base to 22,000 this year," remarked Managing Director Todd Schmidt. "Our subscribers want to be a part of the Paper Mill Playhouse resurgence as we have once again established ourselves as a leader in American musical theater. Subscribers are able to get the best seats at the best price with special insider benefits. Of course, none of what we do would be possible without the generous support of our subscribers, donors, patrons, foundations and corporate partners, including the many years of season sponsorship from our friends at Investors Bank."

Paper Mill Playhouse will produce eight performances a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Three, four and five-show subscription packages are available now starting at just $107. Each subscription package includes a different level of special benefits (see www.papermill.org for details). Titles, casting and dates subject to change.

Paper Mill Playhouse offers its audience an opportunity to enhance their theater experience with behind-the-scenes views of mainstage productions. Have you ever wanted to sneak a peek behind the curtain? Or wondered what the director was thinking, or how the cast prepares for a show? Join us for one of many revealing insider's experiences. Visit the Paper Mill Playhouse website at www.papermill.org for dates for our Director's Viewpoint Series, Conversation Club Series, Q&A's With the Cast and more.

Paper Mill Playhouse offers people with disabilities the opportunity to see live theater with dignity and independence through a myriad of award-winning access programs and services, including audio description and sensory seminars for the blind, Braille and large-print programs, American Sign Language interpretation for the deaf, open-captioning for those with hearing loss, and assistive listening devices.

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. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.