The 2005-2006 season at the famed New Jersey theatre will kick off with Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. Developed as a 1957 television special with Julie Andrews in the title role, the musical features such tunes as "The Prince Is Giving a Ball," "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible," "Ten Minutes Ago I Saw You" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" Gabriel Barre will direct the production, which runs Oct. 19-Dec. 4.
Wendy Kesselman's adaptation of Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett's The Diary of Anne Frank will follow, playing Jan. 18-Feb. 26, 2006. Carolyn Cantor will direct the heartbreaking saga, which follows the two years (1942-44) that Frank and her family were forced into hiding in an Amsterdam attic. The play, of course, is based on Anne Frank's diary, in which she recounted her hopes and dreams, her frustrations and her clashes with her family.
Carnival, the 1961 Broadway musical by Bob Merrill (score) and Michael Stewart (book), will be presented March 8-April 9. Erica Schmidt will direct the production, which tells the story of "a shy lonely orphan who is enchanted with the desire to join a glamorous carnival."
Tina Landau will direct the next Paper Mill offering, Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. The comedy, running April 19-May 21, will feature live music by GrooveLily and is a co-production with Princeton's McCarter Theatre.
The season concludes with the Tony-winning Jerry Herman musical Hello, Dolly!. Everyone's favorite meddling matchmaker will take residence at the Paper Mill June 7-July 23. Mark S. Hoebee will direct Dolly!, which features a score by Herman and a book by Michael Stewart. About the new season Paper Mill President and CEO Michael Gennaro said in a statement, "The 2005-2006 season explores courage, creativity, magic and matchmaking and features shows that appeal to an extraordinarily broad range of age groups and preferences. In keeping with our commitment to bring our audience shows that are new to our stage, we will present two Paper Mill premieres of classic works — The Diary of Anne Frank and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Two others, Carnival and A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be innovative, re-imagined new interpretations by young, up-and-coming directors. Finally, we tip our hat to the golden age of musicals with a production of Hello, Dolly! that should please connoisseurs of the Broadway extravaganza."
The 2005-2006 season is currently on sale for renewing subscribers only. New subscriptions will be available beginning May 1, and single tickets go on sale Aug. 1. For more information, call (973) 379-3717. Paper Mill Playhouse is located on the internet at www.papermill.org.
