David Garrison, Betsy Morgan, John Treacy Egan, Ethan Haberfield and Tyler Moran Star in Paper Mill Playhouse's OLIVER! Beg. Tonight

Paper Mill Playhouse will continue its 75th Anniversary Season with the classic Charles Dickens musical Oliver!, with a holiday "twist" for the entire family. With a book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! will be directed by Paper Mill Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee with original choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. Oliver! will feature David Garrison (Fagin), best known for his role as Steve Rhoades on the hit television series Married...with Children, Betsy Morgan (Nancy), John Treacy Egan (Mr. Bumble), Jose Llana (Bill Sikes), David Hess (MR. Brownlow), Ethan Haberfield (Artful Dodger) and introducing Tyler Moran as Oliver. Oliver! will also feature 16 local boys from across the state of New Jersey who auditioned from a pool of over 200. Oliver! will play the Millburn, New Jersey theater from tonight, November 21 through December 29. The official press opening night is Sunday, December 1, 2013, at 7:00pm.

Adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens, this beloved classic musical will enthrall audiences from the start with the miraculous tale of a young orphan's quest to find home and family in Victorian London. Dickens' larger-than-life characters sing and dance their way into your heart with iconic songs including "Food, Glorious Food," "Who Will Buy?," "As Long As He Needs Me" and "Consider Yourself." Oliver!, one of the most popular musicals in the world, was nominated for 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and the 1968 film version won the Academy Award for Best Motion Picture. Paper Mill Playhouse will present this extraordinary musical with a holiday ending certain to warm the hearts of your entire family.

"There is no better way to bring your family together than a world-class musical produced by Paper Mill Playhouse," remarked the theater's Producing Artistic Director and show director Mark S. Hoebee. "Charles Dickens and Victorian London are the perfect combination for holiday magic. Our production of Oliver! will be like no other with a special holiday treat at the end of each performance."

Oliver! features a cast of Broadway veterans and amazing young talent. David Garrison (Fagin), best known as Steve Rhoades on television's Married...with Children, began his career as a member of the resident company at Tony Award-winning Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. His Broadway credits include Serge B. Samovar in A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, for which he received a Tony Award nomination and a Drama-Logue Award, J. Bruce Ismay in the Tony-winning Titanic, the Wizard of Oz in Wicked, and Sandor in the Faith Prince revival of Bells Are Ringing, as well as C. Edgar Sloan in Strike Up the Band (City Center Encores), Arnold Beckoff in Torch Song Trilogy, the Sergeant in The Pirates of Penzance, and David in Christopher Durang's A History of the American Film. Garrison's other television credits include Norman on It's Your Move and Stan on Working It Out, as well as guest appearances on Law and Order, The West Wing, The Practice, NYPD Blue, Without a Trace, Everybody Loves Raymond, Judging Amy, Murphy Brown, Murder She Wrote and Ed.

Betsy Morgan (Nancy) returns to Paper Mill following her critically acclaimed performance as Fantine in the 25th Anniversary production ofLES MISERABLES a role she also played on the national tour. Morgan's Broadway credits include the original casts of A Little Night Music (revival), Disney's The Little Mermaid and High Fidelity. Jose Llana (Bill Sikes) appeared on Broadway in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as the original Chip Tolentino (Drama Desk Award); Wang Ta in Flower Drum Song; Angel in Rent; Jessie-Lee inStreetcorner Symphony; and Lun Tha in The King and I. Mr. Llana is also a recording artist with a best-selling solo album, VIVA. John Treacy Egan (Mr. Bumble) returns to Paper Mill following his hilarious performance as Tito in Lend Me a Tenor. Egan appeared on Broadway in Sister Act, Bye Bye Birdie, Disney's The Little Mermaid, The Producers and Jekyll and Hyde. On television Mr. Egan was featured on Boardwalk Empire, Nurse Jackie, 30 Rock and many more. Paper Mill alum David Hess (MR. Brownlow) appeared on Broadway in Sweeney Todd and Annie Get Your Gun. At Paper Mill, Mr. Hess appeared in Ragtime and She Loves Me.

The title role of Oliver will be played by 11-year-old Tyler Moran. Moran starred as Oliver in Worchester Light Opera's recent production of the show. He appeared in The Sound of Music (Kurt) at Woodland Theater Company and in productions at Hanover Theatre and Assumption College. Ethan Haberfield (Tenafly, NJ) will portray the Artful Dodger. Haberfield began his professional career as a member of the New York City Opera, performing in Don Giovanni at Lincoln Center. Soon after, Ethan was cast as Michael Banks in Mary Poppins on Broadway. After a one-year run, he was cast as Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird at the New Jersey Shakespeare Theatre. Haberfield was featured in the filmSinister starring Ethan Hawke.

Kristen Smith Davis (Bet) was featured in the national tours of Irving Berlin's White Christmas, South Pacific and The Wizard of Oz. Michael Di Liberto (Mr. Sowerberry) appeared in the national tours of Annie, Cinderella and Strike Up the Band. Dierdre Friel (Mrs. Sowerberry) appeared on Broadway in Leap of Faith and on television in The Sopranos. Juliane Godfrey (Charlotte) has been featured in regional productions at Goodspeed, Woodstock and UCLA. Broadway regular Barbara Marineau (Mrs. Bedwin) appeared in six shows on the Great White Way including three original casts. Ms. Marineau played the role of Nancy in Paper Mill Playhouse's 1976 production of Oliver! with John Carradine and Michael Kermoyan. Jeremy Morse (Noah) received a Drama Desk nomination for Joe Iconis's Bloodsong of Love at Ars Nova. Jessica Sheridan (Widow Corney) is back at Paper Mill, where she played Miss Flannery in Thoroughly Modern Millie last season. Her Broadway credits include Sister Act, Follies, Mary Poppins and LES MISERABLES.

Rounding out the ensemble are: Adrian Arrieta (Summit, NJ), Kate Bailey, Casey Beidel (Rutherford, NJ), Monica Bradley, Stephen Mitchell Brown, Casey Erin Clark, Will Flamm (Montclair, NJ), Kyle Garvin, Matthew Hooper, Devin Johnson, Mary Claire King, Hunter Kovacs (Maplewood, NJ), Jimmy Larkin, George Merrick, Sarah M. O'Connor (Wayne, NJ), Patrick O'Neill, PJ Palmer, Jason Pintar, Jeff Sullivan, Bronwyn Tarboton, Joseph Torello and Joseph C. Townsend.

The Workhouse Boys were cast at an open call audition at Paper Mill Playhouse and competed against more than 200 children for these roles. The Workhouse Boys include: Bobby Axelrod (Montclair, NJ), Luke Berninger (Wayne, NJ), Jake Cedar (Haddonfield, NJ), James Freedson-Jackson (South Orange, NJ), Chance Friedman (Basking Ridge, NJ), Lucas Imhoff (Madison, NJ), Jeffrey Kishinevskiy(Tenafly, NJ), Colton Maurer (Mahwah, NJ), Tyler Pelton (East Brunswick, NJ), Jake Walsh (Wall, NJ), Arthur Wawrzyniak(Morristown, NJ) and twin brothers Lee Rosenthal and Ryan Rosenthal (Cranford, NJ).

Mark S. Hoebee (Director, Producing Artistic Director) joined the artistic team at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2000. Under his artistic leadership, working alongside Cameron Mackintosh, Paper Mill launched the American premiere of the 25th Anniversary production of LES MISERABLES in 2010 and, in partnership with Disney Theatrical Productions, was home to the world premiere of Newsies in 2011. On Broadway, Mark directed the Actors Fund benefit of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas starring Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson. He directed national tours of Victor/Victoria starring Grammy winner Toni Tennille; Dreamgirls; Company; and An Evening of Lerner and Loewe starring Diahann Carroll. Directing credits at Paper Mill include Dreamgirls; Hello, Dolly! starring Tovah Feldshuh; Harold and Maude: The Musicalwith Estelle Parsons; Meet Me in St. Louis; The King and I; Miss Saigon; Disney's High School Musical; Peter Pan; Smokey Joe's Cafe; Damn Yankees; Thoroughly Modern Millie; Curtains; and The Full Monty starring Broadway legend Elaine Stritch.

JoAnn M. Hunter (Choreographer) is back at Paper Mill after previously collaborating with Mark S. Hoebee on Curtains. Hunterchoreographed the world premiere of The Nutty Professor directed by Jerry Lewis (Broadway World Award, Best Choreography). On Broadway, Ms. Hunter choreographed On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, She Loves Me (Roundabout benefit), Curtains (Associate Choreographer), The Wedding Singer (Associate Choreographer) and All Shook Up (Associate Choreographer). As a performer, her credits include 12 Broadway shows including Gloria in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Suzanne in Thou Shalt Not, Lois/Bianca in Kiss Me, Kate, June and dance captain in Chicago and Jerome Robbins' Broadway. She is currently developing an original ballet with words, Secondary Impact.

Craig Barna (Music Director) recently served as Music Director for Paper Mill Playhouse's production of Disney's The Little Mermaid. Barna musically directed the Broadway productions of Peter and the Wolf (Brian Blessed), Peter Pan (Cathy Rigby), Jesus Christ Superstar(Ted Neeley/Carl Anderson) and the national tours of Camelot (Michael York/Lou Diamond Phillips), Cats, Singin' in the Rain and Grease(Jack Wagner). Television credits include A&E's Peter Pan, the 1999 Tony Awards, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, The Today Show, and CBS This Morning.

Lionel Bart (Music, Lyrics & Book) is credited with helping to revive the English musical in the late 1950s and '60s. Oliver! was his biggest hit; it opened in London in 1960 and ran for more than 2,600 performances, and the 1963 Broadway premiere earned Bart a Tony Award for Best Score. His other musicals include Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be, Lock Up Your Daughters, Blitz!, Maggie May, Twang!, and La Strada. In addition to the film version of Oliver!, Bart wrote theme songs or scores for more than 20 major films, including The Tommy Steele Story and From Russia With Love. As a pop songwriter, he wrote many hits for many stars, including Adam Faith, Anthony Newley, and Cliff Richard.

The Oliver! design team includes:

AMANDA SEYMOUR (Costume Design) has designed for theaters and universities across the United States including Paper Mill's 2012 production of The Sound of Music. Recent design credits include: Paul's Case (UrbanArias); Exile, Lawnpeople (Cherry Lane Theatre); Don Pasquale (Juilliard School); Bumbug the Musical (Clurman/Theatre Row); Armide (Juilliard School); Alcina (Pocket Opera of New York at Atlantic Stage 2); Lydia (Yale Rep). Seymour served as assistant on Broadway for Chaplin, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Present Laughter andA View from the Bridge.

F. Mitchell Dana (Lighting Design) has designed lights for Paper Mill Playhouse for many years including The Secret Garden, Miss Saigon, Carousel, Baby, She Loves Me, South Pacific, Peter Pan, Man of La Mancha, and many others. He has won Barrymore, Carbonell, Phoebe, and Drama-Logue Awards. Broadway designs include The Suicide, Monday After the Miracle, Freedom of the City, Man and Superman, and The Inspector General. Opera designs include Turandot for the Royal Opera (1984 Olympic Arts Festival, Wembley Arena, Covent Garden, US simulcast); Carmen (Expo '92); LA Opera; and New York City Opera.

Randy Hansen (Sound Design) is Paper Mill Playhouse's resident sound designer. Additional credits include Sting: A Winter's Tale and the Sacred Duke Ellington Concert starring Jessye Norman. He is audio consultant and sound designer for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Indianapolis Symphony, and he completed the sound installation at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. Numerous television broadcasts include Broadway on Broadway, Victoria's Secret Christmas specials, and the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. In the recording studio, he has produced and engineered award-winning albums for many artists, including Nancy Lamott and Laurie Beechman.

Leah J. Loukas (Hair & Wig Design) designed wigs for the Broadway productions of Irena's Vow, American Idiot, and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, as well as hair and makeup design for A Night with Janis Joplin. She was the associate designer for Motown on Broadway. At Paper Mill Playhouse Loukas designed The Sound of Music and Disney's The Little Mermaid.

Timothy R. Mackabee (Set Coordination) recently designed the set for Broadway's Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth and Off Broadway's Luce (LCT3). Mackabee has designed for many regional theaters including Dallas Theatre Center, Portland Center Stage, Syracuse Stage, Yale Rep, Asolo Rep, Philadelphia Theater Company and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Mackabee has also designed for television and film including Margot at the Wedding, Smash and The Today Show.

Michael Rossmy (Tale of Two Cities) will serve as Fight Choreographer. Shane Ann Younts (Newsies) will serve as Dialect Coach. Original scenery is designed by Mark Morton. The Production Stage Manager is Andrea Cibelli.

Free Audience Enrichment Activities for Oliver!:

Wed. November 27 6:00pm Art Gallery The Director's Viewpoint

Enjoy coffee on us as Director Mark S. Hoebee discusses Oliver!

Thurs. November 21 6:00pm Mezzanine Conversation Club

Thurs. December 5 Learn more about the show you are about

Thurs. December 12 to see, led by members of Paper Mill's

Thurs. December 19 Artistic and Education Departments.

Sat. December 14 Following Matinee Orchestra Q&A with the Cast

Meet the cast and ask actors questions about the show or the role they are portraying.

Oliver! will be performed at Paper Mill Playhouse eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday (check PaperMill.org for special holiday schedules) plus a special Christmas Eve matinee on Tuesday, December 24, 2013. Family-friendly performance schedule: Wednesday at 7:00pm, Thursday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm, Friday at 7:00pm, Saturday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm and Sunday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale now and range from $27 to $98. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, 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 10 or more can receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680.

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.