Tony winner Karen Ziemba, honored last month for her best supporting role performance in Contact, is still in discussions with the Paper Mill Playhouse for the lead role in Victor/Victoria. This year's negotiations mark Paper Mill's second bid to secure the triple threat Ziemba for the show.
Last year, Ziemba was offered the role but declined, later appearing in the highly acclaimed Contact at the Lincoln Center Theatre. Ziemba and her fellow Contact stars, Deborah Yates and Boyd Gaines have all been asked to stay with that production, a source said.
"No decisions have been made," Ziemba's spokesperson said. "She is still considering all her options at this moment."
Paper Mill's new associate director, Mark S. Hoebee will helm Victor/Victoria, featuring Lee Roy Reams as Toddy. The production will run Nov. 1 - Dec. 10. * As reported earlier, the Paper Mill has provided a snapshot of its overall 2000-2001 season.
Anything Goes runs Sept. 6 - Oct 15 at New Jersey's State Theatre. Directed by Broadway and Paper Mill veteran Lee Roy Reams, the show will be choreographed by Michael Lichtefeld. Also featured in the cast will be Bruce Adler (Broadway and Paper Mill productions of Crazy for You) as Moonface Martin. The 1998 Tony-winning Best Play, Art will open Jan. 3 at the Paper Mill and will run through Feb. 4. Production sources report that Judd Hirsch has "expressed interest in directing this award-winning comedy about friendship and art." Hirsch played in the drama on the road and is directing it at Maine's Ogunquit Playhouse this summer.
Next on the Paper Mill's season schedule, will be the hit musical comedy Funny Girl, directed by Robert Johanson. Funny Girl opens April 4 and will run through May 20.
The Paper Mill will also present Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, which will run May 30 - July 15.
The theatre says that an undetermined play is being considered for the Feb. 14 - March 18 slot.
Single tickets go on sale Aug. 14 for all shows. Seven new subscription plans are now being offered at the theatre. For details call (973) 379 3717. The Paper Mill Box office can be reached at (973) 376-4343.
