Photo Flash: 'Oklahoma!' at Paper Mill Opens 9/21 with O'Malley & Sikora

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Artistic Director, Mark W. Jones-Executive Director) is proud to announce the opening of the theatre's 70th Season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! Created by the team of director, James Brennan, and choreographer, Peggy Hickey, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, the first musical play written by Rodgers and Hammerstein together - was an instant Broadway hit. Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! will run at the Millburn theatre from September 17 through October 19, 2008. Press Opening is Sunday, September 21st at 7:30pm

"Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, arguably the most brilliant musical ever created, changed the face of American musical theatre forever. Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! features recurring motifs throughout the show that connect the music and story closer than any musical ever had before. The high-spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the colorful background against which Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, play out their love story. Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, based on the play Green Grow the Lilacs by Lynn Riggs, was adapted by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein in 1943," detail press notes.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! brings an all-star cast of Paper Mill favorites and new-comers to the stage. Adam Monley (Curly) returns to the Paper Mill stage where he last performed in Romeo and Bernadette (2003). On Broadway, Mr. Monley appeared in Mamma Mia and off-Broadway in Fanny Hill. Brynn O'Malley (Laurey) most recently appeared on the Paper Mill stage in Meet Me In St. Lewis (2007). On Broadway she appeared in Sunday in the Park with George, Hairspray, and Beauty and the Beast. Returning to the Paper Mill stage is Andrew Varela (Jud Fry) who was last seen in Paper Mill's production of Happy Days (2007), Pirates! (2007) and Romeo and Bernadette (2003). Varela's Broadway credits include Sunday in the Park with George, Little Women and Les Miserables. Louisa Flaningam (Aunt Eller) is making her Paper Mill debut, with Broadway credits including Guys and Dolls, Play Me a Country Song, The Most Happy Fella, and The Magic Show. Megan Sikora (Ado Annie) is making her Paper Mill debut, having appeared on Broadway in Curtains, Dracula: the Musical, Wonderful Town, Wicked, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and 42nd Street. Brian Sears (Will Parker) last appeared at Paper Mill in Hello, Dolly! (2006) and on Broadway in Grease. John Jellison (Andrew Carnes) has previously appeared in Paper Mill's production of A Wonderful Life (2006). His Broadway credits include All Shook Up, Passion, Caroline or Change, Anything Goes, and Oklahoma!. Joseph Kolinski (Ike Skidmore) has many Broadway credits including the original companies of Les Miserables and Titanic. Jonathan Brody (Ali Hakim) has appeared in Paper Mill's production of Forever Plaid (1994) and has appeared on Broadway in Spamalot and Titanic.

Rounding out the Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! cast are: Ashely Adamek, J. David Anderson, Dan Bogart, Stephen Carrasco, Drew Franklin, Cynthia Leigh Heim, Anne Horak, Ryan Jackson, Danielle Jordan, Sam Kiernan, Kimberly Lemieux, Sabra Lewis, Lauren Marshall, Ryan Sandberg, Steve Schepis, Kiira Schmidt, Elizabeth Stacey, Samantha Sturm, Kyle Vaughn, and Ryan Worsing.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! will be directed by Paper Mill favorite James Brennan who most recently directed Kiss Me, Kate (2008) for the Millburn Theatre. Michael Allen will serve as the Scenic Coordinator. Costumes design by Gail Baldoni; Lighting design is by Mitchell F. Dana; Sound design is by Randy Hansen. Hair and wig design is by Mark Adam Rampmeyer. The Production Stage Manager is Peter Hanson.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! 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 on 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 25% discount on tickets and should call 973-379-3636 ext. 2438. Paper Mill is proud to announce a Family Week special offer. From Wednesday, September 17 through Sunday, September 21, buy one adult ticket at full price and receive a child's ticket at half price. This offer is subject to availability, and is not valid on previous purchases.

Photos by Gerry Goodstein