(Millburn, NJ) -- Single tickets for the Paper Mill Playhouse's 2015-2016 season will go on sale to the general public on Monday, August 3, 2015. Season subscriptions are already on sale and subscribers can already purchase additional single tickets. 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.
Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2015-2016 season, features five musicals and two world premieres. The 2015-2016 season is proudly sponsored by Investors Bank. Paper Mill Playhouse will open its new season with the world-premiere musical The Bandstand, directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler. This sizzling new big-band musical is the story of a mismatched band of WWII veterans who dream of a better life. They join together to compete in a national radio contest with a prize that will guarantee instant stardom to the winners.
Just in time for Christmas, Paper Mill Playhouse will present A Christmas Story: The Musical, straight from Broadway, based on the legendary 1983 movie. Join Ralphie and friends as this classic Christmas film comes to life on the Paper Mill stage in a dazzling musical that captures holiday wonder with such deliciously wicked wit that it is sure to delight children and grown-ups alike.
In February, Paper Mill Playhouse presents the world premiere of a new musical A Bronx Tale. With music by Tony and Oscar winner Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater and written by Chazz Palminteri, based on his acclaimed one-man show, it is a complex love story set against the backdrop of racial strife and organized crime in the 1960s. A Bronx Tale will be directed by two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro and four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, with choreography by Sergio Trujillo.
Next spring, Paper Mill Playhouse heats up the northeast with Pump Boys and Dinettes, a musical full of joy, a little bit of heartbreak and lots of hilarity. A little rest stop on Highway 57 in North Carolina is where all the action is—once the boys get that guitar and bass fiddle revved up, you won’t want to be anywhere else. Pump Boys and Dinettes is a countrified musical packed with highly entertaining toe-tappers.
Finally, Paper Mill Playhouse will close its 77th season with the stunning, trailblazing and legendary musical that set the bar for all musical theater, West Side Story. The score is a musical masterpiece by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The songs of West Side Story have become part of American culture. You must not miss this passionate and magnificent new production, only at Paper Mill Playhouse.
“What a thrill to produce two world-premiere musicals in one season,” commented Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director for the Millburn theater. “Paper Mill Playhouse is honored to bring so many incredible artists to work in New Jersey next season. The list is remarkable and includes Oscar winner Robert De Niro, Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler, Academy and Tony Award winner Alan Menken and Tony nominee Sergio Trujillo, to name a few. We are proud to have created an irresistible lineup of stories you will love, glorious music that will warm your heart and many memorable moments of theater magic.”
Paper Mill Playhouse is truly Broadway in your backyard,” remarked Managing Director Todd Schmidt. “Paper Mill Playhouse has once again established itself as a leader in American musical theater, the place where the stars of today and tomorrow come together to practice their craft. Of course, none of what we do would be possible without the generous support of our donors, subscribers, patrons, foundations and corporate partners, including season sponsorship from our friends at Investors Bank.”
“Investors Bank is proud to continue our support of Paper Mill Playhouse for their 2015-2016 season,” said Kevin Cummings, President and CEO. “Paper Mill Playhouse continues to be one of the country’s premier not-for-profit theaters, and provides a fantastic venue for the showcasing of American musical theatre. We wish Paper Mill the best of luck in their upcoming season and I urge everyone to come out and see a show.”
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 $104. Each subscription package includes a different level of special benefits (see www.papermill.org for details). Single tickets will go on sale in August starting at just $32. Student rush tickets are $20 and available the day of the performance in person or by phone and will only be distributed 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 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680. Titles, casting and dates subject to change.
Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2015-2016 Season
The Bandstand (World Premiere)
October 8 through November 8, 2015
Music by Richard Oberacker
Book and Lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker
Direction and Choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler
Paper Mill Playhouse produces this sizzling new big-band musical with an amazing original score and a plot that is full of surprising twists and turns. Emotionally charged and beautifully crafted, this is the story of a mismatched band of WWII veterans. Battle-scarred and broke, dreaming of a better life, they join together to compete in a national radio contest with a prize that will guarantee instant stardom to the winners. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Andy Blankenbuehler. See it first here at Paper Mill Playhouse.
A Christmas Story: The Musical
November 25, 2015, through January 3, 2016
Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Book by Joseph Robinette
Straight from Broadway, this holiday musical is based on the classic 1983 movie. Ralphie wants only one thing for Christmas: An Official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle. A Christmas Story: The Musical is the hilarious account of Ralphie’s desperate quest to ensure that this most perfect of gifts ends up under his tree this Christmas. It’s funny, heartfelt, and captures holiday wonder with such deliciously wicked wit that it is sure to delight children and grown-ups alike. Bring the whole family, again and again.
A Bronx Tale (World Premiere)
February 4 through March 6, 2016
Book by Chazz Palminteri
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Glenn Slater
Direction by Robert De Niro and Jerry Zaks
Choreography by Sergio Trujillo
Paper Mill produces the world premiere of this explosive new musical. Written by Chazz Palminteri and based on his acclaimed one-man show, A Bronx Tale is a complex love story set against the backdrop of racial strife and organized crime in the 1960s. It is the story of an Italian-American teenager finding his path in life as he must choose between the father who raised him and a mob-boss father figure who fascinates him. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime event! Contains strong language and adult themes.
Pump Boys and Dinettes
April 6 through May 1, 2016
Book, Lyrics and Music by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann
A raucous good time! A musical full of joy, a little bit of heartbreak and lots of hilarity. This tribute to life by the roadside, takes place on North Carolina’s Highway 57. Somewhere between Frog Level and Smyrna stands a rest stop. The four hard-working fellas at the gas station have been known to do some auto repairs, but only when aided by some great tunes and a few beers. Next door there's the Double Cupp Diner, where the Cupp sisters offer up their famous home cooking and gift for song. A celebration of life, love, Dolly Parton, and catfish!
West Side Story
June 1 through June 26, 2016
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Arthur Laurents
Direction by Mark S. Hoebee
Original Direction and Choreography by Jerome Robbins
The stunning, groundbreaking and legendary musical that set the bar for all musical theater! Amazing dancing with music and a story that will stir your soul and set your pulse racing! Based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, it’s The Sharks and The Jets like you’ve never seen them before. The score is a musical masterpiece by Leonard Bernstein and the lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim, songs that have become part of our very culture. You must not miss this passionate and magnificent new production, only at Paper Mill Playhouse.
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. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.
