Paper Mill Playhouse announced its line-up for the 2005-2006 season and beginning in October, the new season of classic hits opens with Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella followed by The Dairy of Anne Frank, Carnival, William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and closing out the season will be Jerry Herman's Hello, Dolly!
"The 2005-2006 season explores courage, creativity, magic and matchmaking," says Paper Mill President & CEO Michael Gennaro, "and features shows that appeal to an extraordinarily broad range of age groups and preferences." He went on to say, "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."Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella -- October 19 to December 4, 2005 Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic musical Cinderella opens the 2005-2006 season on October 19. This timeless magical fairy tale is an elegant musical with a cavalcade of enchanting characters, unforgettable songs, vibrant costumes and a truly magical set. Cinderella was developed as a television special in 1957 with Julie Andrews in the title role. With Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Music by Richard Rodgers, this magical season opener will have direction by Gabriel Barre.
The Diary of Anne Frank -- January 18 to February 26, 2006 The timeless drama The Diary of Anne Frank by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, newly adapted by Wendy Kesselman, will be the second production of the new season beginning January 18 with direction by Carolyn Cantor. The Diary of Anne Frank follows two years of Anne Frank's life from 1942 to 1944, when she and her family were forced into hiding during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam. In her diary, thirteen-year-old Anne recorded mostly her hopes, frustrations, clashes with her parents, and observations of her companions. The final entry in her diary concludes with the capture of the family, which led to her untimely death. Carnival -- March 8 to April 9, 2006 Puppets, acrobats and carnies roll onto the Paper Mill stage to set up the big tent on March 8 with the hit musical Carnival. Michael Stewart wrote the original book for this 1961 musical based on the 1953 Leslie Caron film "Lili." With a rich score by Bob Merrill, the musical tells the story of a shy lonely orphan who is enchanted with the desire to join the glamorous carnival. Searching for her place in the carnival, she joins a puppet act and soon finds that love makes the world go round. This magical musical will be directed by Erica Schmidt.