(MILLBURN, NJ) -- He’s coming back around after a postponement in the spring of 2020. Paper Mill Playhouse presents The Wanderer now through April 24, 2022. This is the riveting true story of the man Bruce Springsteen calls "the link between Frank Sinatra and rock and roll." Dion’s music helped define a generation, but the darker side of success threatened to bring it all crashing down. The Wanderer is a moving, no-holds-barred new musical about the glow of the spotlight, the shadow of addiction, and the triumph of the human spirit against all odds, set to the iconic sound of an incomparable era in American music.
Dion. One name set the standard of cool for a generation. An Italian-American kid from the Bronx, Dion DiMucci skyrocketed to fame as a teenage heartthrob in the 1950s and early ’60s with hits like “Runaround Sue,” “Teenager in Love,” and “I Wonder Why.” Choreographed by Sarah O’Gleby and directed by Emmy nominated producer and director Kenneth Ferrone.
The Wanderer may not be appropriate for all audiences, as it contains profanity, drug use, violence, and adult situations.
The Wanderer features Mike Wartella (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Paper Mill’s Chasing Rainbows) as Dion, Christy Altomare (Anastasia) as Susan, Joey McIntyre (Waitress, New Kids on the Block) as Johnny, Kingsley Leggs (Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Willie Green, Jasmine Rogers (Becoming Nancy) as Melody Green, Jeffrey Schecter (Paper Mill’s On The Town) as Bob Schwartz, Johnny Tammaro (Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding) as Pat DiMucci, and Joli Tribuzio (A Room of My Own) as Frances DiMucci. The ensemble cast features Joe Barbara, Mackenzie Bell, Stephen Cerf, Jordan Dobson, Josh Dunn, Billy Finn, Natalie Gallo, Miguel Jarquin-Moreland, Will Jewett, Michal Kolaczkowski, Jess LeProtto, Janayé McAlpine, Katie Pohlman, Sydney Skye, and Gabi Stapula.
Produced in cooperation with Dion DiMucci, The Wanderer is written by Charles Messina (A Room of My Own) and directed by Emmy nominee Kenneth Ferrone (Cruel Intentions National Tour, “Rent: Live” on FOX), with choreography by Sarah O’Gleby (Disney’s Frozen) and music direction, orchestrations and arrangements by Sonny Paladino (Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812).
The production features scenic design by Tony Award winner Beowulf Boritt (Come From Away, Paper Mill’s A Bronx Tale), costume design by Sarah Laux (The Band’s Visit), lighting design by Jake DeGroot (Oh, Hello on Broadway), sound design by Tony Award winner John Shivers (Kinky Boots), and hair & wig design by Charles G. LaPointe (Chasing Rainbows). Rick Sordelet (Clue) is the fight director, and Linda Marvel serves as the Production Stage Manager. Casting is by The Telsey Office.
The Wanderer is produced by Paper Mill Playhouse in association with Jill Menza and Charles Messina.
Paper Mill Playhouse is located at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, New Jersey. They are committed to a safe return and will require proof of vaccination for all artists, staff and audiences over 12 as well as face masks for staff and audiences in the theater. For the list of complete and latest protocols, click here.
