Stephenson is Adams in Paper Mill '1776', Joins Cuccioli, O'Malley as Complete Casting Announced

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) is proud to announce casting for 1776. Directed by Gordon Greenberg and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, 1776 will run at the Millburn theatre from April 15 through May 17, 2009. 1776 was selected by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts as part of the American Masterpieces Series in New Jersey. American Masterpieces is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Press Opening is Sunday, April 19th at 7:30pm

1776 will play the following performance schedule: Wednesdays at 7:30PM, Thursdays at 2:00PM & 7:30PM, Fridays at 8:00PM, Saturdays at 2:00PM & 8:00PM and Sundays at 2:00PM & 7:30PM. Single tickets are now on sale and range in price from $25 to $92. Student rush tickets are $20 and are available the day of performance in person with current student ID. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, or at the Paper Mill 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 35% discount on tickets and should call 973-379-3636 ext. 2438.

1776 takes place in the summer when our nation is ready to declare independence if only our founding fathers can agree to do it. 1776 follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Richard Henry Lee, and Thomas Jefferson as they attempt to convince the members of the second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. A musical about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, 1776 puts a human face on the pages of history.

Directed by Gordon Greenberg, 1776 brings an exhilarating cast to the Paper Mill stage. Don Stephenson (John Adams) has performed on Broadway in The Producers; Dracula; Private Lives; By Jeeves; Parade; Titanic; Pardon My English; and Wonderful Town. Mr. Stephenson's Off-Broadway credits include: Two Gentlemen of Verona; Bus Stop; The Tavern; Chess; and Young Rube. Paper Mill favorite Robert Cuccioli (John Dickinson) is a Tony® Award Best Actor Nominee and Drama Desk Award Winner for Jekyll and Hyde. He has previously performed in Paper Mill's productions of Guys and Dolls; The Sound of Music; Funny Girl; Victor/Victoria and Oklahoma. His other Broadway credits include: On the Twentieth Century and Les Miserables. Conrad John Schuck (Benjamin Franklin) performed on Broadway in Annie Get Your Gun and the original and revival Broadway productions of Annie. Mr. Schuck's film credits include: String of the Kite, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, and Dick Tracy. His television credits include: Zeke & Luther, Law and Order: SVU, Enterprise, Titus, Law and Order, and Star Trek: Voyager. Kerry O'Malley (AbiGail Adams) has performed on Broadway in Into The Woods; Annie Get Your Gun; Encores!: Promises, Promises; Cyrano: The Musical; and Translations. Ms. O'Malley's film credits include: Case 39, The Happening, The Flying Scissors, and Rounders. She has been in the television shows Brotherhood, Monk, Law and Order: SVU, My Name is Earl, King of Queens, and Without A Trace. Lauren Kennedy (Martha Jefferson) returns to the Paper Mill stage after last performing in our production of Nine. Ms. Kennedy's Broadway credits include: Spamalot; Les Miserables; Side Show; and Sunset Boulevard. At London's Royal National Theatre she was ‘Nellie' in their production of South Pacific. Kevin Earley (Thomas Jefferson) performed on Broadway in Thoroughly Modern Millie and in the national tour of Les Miserables. Nick Wyman (John Hancock) has been in the Paper Mill productions of A Wonderful Life, Applause and Sweeney Todd. Mr. Wyman's Broadway credits include: A Tale of Two Cities; Sly Fox; Les Miserables; The Phantom of the Opera; The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940; Doubles; My Fair Lady; On the Twentieth Century; Whoopie!; The Magic Show; Very Good Eddie; and Grease.

Additional casting includes: James Barbour (Edward Rutledge), Jeff Brooks (Rev. John Witherspoon), Erick Buckley (Robert Livingston), Kenneth Cavett (Col. Thomas McKean), James Coyle (Caesar Rodney), MacIntyre Dixon (Stephen Hopkins), Ian R. Gleason (Josiah Bartlett), Todd A. Horman (Roger Sherman), Jamie LaVerdiere (James Wilson), John O'Creagh (Andrew McNair), Kevin Pariseau (Charles Thompson), Tom Treadwell (Lyman Hall), Aaron Ramey (Richard Henry Lee), Michael Rose (George Read), Michael Scibilia (Joseph Hewes), Ric Stoneback (Samuel Chase), and Matthew C. Thompson (Lewis Morris). 1776 also features; Andrew "Curly" Glynn, Griffin Matthews, and Jared Miller.

Director Gordon Greenberg has directed Paper Mill's productions of Pirates!, Happy Days: A New Musical, and The Baker's Wife. Greenberg's other credits include Working (Old Globe, Asolo Repertory Theatre), O.Henry's Lovers; the off-Broadway revival of Jacques Brel... (Zipper Theatre); Theory of Three (NY Stage and Film); Immaculate Misconception (Hampstead New End Theatre, London); and the National Tour of Peter Pan. Kevin Rupnik who will serve as Scenic Designer designed the set for Broadway's Ghosts. Costume design is by Alejo Vietti who's Broadway costume designs include: Jersey Boys; Julius Caesar; Good Vibrations; Henry IV; and Enchanted April. Lighting design is by Jeff Croiter who's lit the Broadway stages for On the Twentieth Century; Hair; Chess and many more. Sound design is by Paper Mill's resident sound designer Randy Hansen. The Production Stage Manager is Richard Rauscher.

Paper Mill Playhouse, a not-for-profit arts organization, is one of the country's leading regional theatres. 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, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional major support is provided by generous contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, and individuals. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.

Free Audience Enrichment Activities for 1776
Wed. April 15 6:30pm Art Gallery Directors Notes & Coffee Series
Enjoy coffee on us as Director Gordon Greenberg discusses 1776.

Thurs. April 16 6:30pm Mezzanine Conversation Series
Thurs. April 23 Learn more about the show you are about to
Thurs. April 30 see, led by members of Paper Mill's Artistic and
Thurs. May 7 Education Departments.
Thurs. May 14

Sat. May 16 Post Show Orchestra Cast Talk-Back Series
Meet the cast and ask actors questions about the show or the role they are portraying.

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