John Michael Pitera News

Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is pleased to announce a special Autism-Friendly performance of its hit musical Mary Poppins on Friday, June 23 at 1:30PM.

Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway musical Mary Poppins based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, new songs and additional music and lyrics byGeorge Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. Bank of America is the Major Sponsor of Mary Poppins.

The Paper Mill Playhouse production of Mary Poppins is marvelous. Directed by the theatre's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, choreographed by Denis Jones, and with musical direction by Meg Zervoulis, the show delivers an experience that will affirm your love for musical theatre.

Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award is currently presenting the hit Broadway musical Mary Poppins based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, new songs and additional music and lyrics byGeorge Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. BroadwayWorld was there to capture the cast on opening night!

BroadwayWorld was there to capture the cast and guests on opening night!

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Paper Mill Playhouse's MARY POPPINS! Check out the video below! Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway musical Mary Poppins based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, new songs and additional music and lyrics byGeorge Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. Bank of America is the Major Sponsor of Mary Poppins.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director), recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway musical Mary Poppins based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. Bank of America is the Major Sponsor of Mary Poppins.

Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, will present the hit Broadway musical Mary Poppins based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. Bank of America is the Major Sponsor of Mary Poppins.

Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, will present the hit Broadway musical Mary Poppins based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. Bank of America is the Major Sponsor of Mary Poppins.

Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, has announced casting for the hit Broadway musical Mary Poppins based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes, new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, and co-created by Cameron Mackintosh. Bank of America is the Major Sponsor of Mary Poppins.

Kansas City, watch what happens when a group of newsboys take on one of the most important journalists of their time.

It's not unusual for movies to be adapted for the stage these days, in fact, it's become rather commonplace. But typically, musicals written for the screen that flop (even though they might have a rather substantial cult following), are usually avoided for obvious reasons. Although, that didn't stop the producers of XANADU from plowing forward, go figure. The Disney film NEWSIES actually seems likes a logical choice to revamp and produce on the stage, and it wound up winning Tony Awards for best score and choreography back in 2012, and becoming quite the hit. So why am I so surprised? I guess because the current touring production, while occasionally dazzling, comes off slightly uninspired and flat. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some really fine performances, an eye catching scenic design, cool effects, and energetic choreography that certainly lives up to expectations. And, like the film, an awful lot of people, both young and old, are guaranteed to truly love this show, as evidenced by the very enthusiastic response from the audience at the performance I attended.

The Milwaukee engagement of Disney's NEWSIES begins performances at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts tonight, January 5 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 10.

When I was a child, I was a paper boy. I schlepped a stack of 100 papers all around the little town 5 miles from my home; I earned a little bit of money and I still have that savings stash today. It wasn't as if I really needed the money, it was more a lesson about the need to be useful in society. But in New York City, 1899, things were a lot different. At that time, youths sold newspapers in order to survive. This was how orphans and children of unemployed fathers were able to buy food for the day. Many of these kids lived on the streets. Disney's musical NEWSIES tells the plight of these youths. The plot is both a love story and a lesson in capitalism gone sour, bolstered by magnificent dancing and Disney-quality songs. NEWSIES is inspired by the real-life 'Newsboy Strike of 1899,' when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway newsies on a two-week-long action against Pulitzer, Hearst and other powerful newspaper publishers. The show won Best Choreography and Best Original Score at the 2012 Tony Awards. Ending this weekend at the Fisher Theatre, NEWSIES is as perfect as a musical can get.

Casting has been announced for the Milwaukee engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, January 5 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 10.

Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Detroit Opera House tonight, December 15 for a limited engagement through December 27.

Casting has been announced for the St. Louis engagement of Disney's NEWSIES.   The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Fabulous Fox Theatre on Tuesday, January 19 for a limited engagement through Sunday, January 31. 

There was a moment tonight in the Orpheum's presentation of NEWSIES that I envisioned the entire production as an animated feature -- and why not? There was the infectious music of Alan Menken, who long ago set the 'gold standard' for the resurgence of Disney animation beginning with THE LITTLE MERMAID; there was, too, the 'underdog' hero ('Jack Kelley,' played with panache and charisma by Joey Barreiro), who serves as a point of inspiration for a horde of ragtag 'newsies'; and instead of an 'Ariel' or 'Belle,' there was 'Katherine,' the spirited young 'girl reporter,' who, with her independence and ingenuity, could fall right in line with the other young heroines of Disney films.

Casting has been announced for the Detroit engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Detroit Opera House on December 15 for a limited engagement through December 27. 

Casting has been announced for the Memphis engagement of Disney's NEWSIES.   The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Orpheum Theatre on Tuesday, December 8th for a limited engagement through Sunday, December 13th.