Major Capital Gift Funds Renovation of Theater Interior at the Historic Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director), recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is proud to announce that interior renovations to the historic theater are complete in time for the 80th anniversary season. The interior of the theater was renovated over the summer of 2018, including replacement of all the theater's seating. Theater supporters are invited to contribute to the seat campaign by purchasing a name plaque as part of the theater's "Name a Seat" fundraiser. This lays the foundation for a greater capital campaign for the Millburn theater.

Paper Mill Playhouse donors, patrons and stakeholders have the opportunity to dedicate a seat in the newly renovated theater, a visible and lasting way to show your support for Paper Mill Playhouse. Your inspiration for inscribing a seat plaque can come from anywhere, for any reason meaningful to you. You can dedicate a seat as an individual, couple, or family for your children, grandchildren, parents, in memory of a loved one or with the name of your business or organization. Pricing for seat locations is as follows: Orchestra seats $3,000; Mezzanine Box seats $1,500; Mezzanine seats $750. We will honor all seat requests on a first-come, first-served basis, with preference given to those who previously had a seat named. You can call 973-315-1659 or visit www.PaperMill.org/grabaseat to order a seat or for more information. Seat name recognition does not guarantee any seat location for future performances.

"Paper Mill Playhouse has been delighting visitors in Millburn for nearly a century, offering a unique cultural experience for the entire state," said Mark S. Hoebee, Paper Mill Playhouse's Producing Artistic Director. "This renovation and your contribution to the 'Name a Seat' campaign ensures we can impact the lives of our audience and students for generations to come."

Paper Mill Playhouse will be hosting an unveiling of the new interior during its Fall Fling, a sold-out, donor event on Sunday, September 16, 2018. This kick-off for Paper Mill's thrilling 80th anniversary season will feature performances, cocktails and a sneak peek of the new auditorium. The Ferolito family will be recognized at this event for their support of the renovation.

The theater renovation was funded by the Ferolito family. "We have been staunch supporters of Paper Mill Playhouse for more than two decades," said Paper Mill Playhouse Trustee Carolyn Ferolito. "Paper Mill Playhouse is a New Jersey gem that contributes greatly to the quality of life in our state. We are proud of the many education programs Paper Mill provides that extend beyond our campus and impact our communities. We are happy to provide the resources for the needed renovation of the theater."

"This very generous gift from the Ferolito family is transformational for the theater and our ability to serve the community," remarked Paper Mill Playhouse Board Chair James Fakult. "The philanthropic support of individuals like the Ferolito's is greatly appreciated and of vital importance to arts organizations like Paper Mill Playhouse. This gift will allow our theater to continue its legacy for many years to come."

Paper Mill Playhouse's 80th Anniversary 2018-2019 season will open with the Tony Award-winning musical, The Color Purple (September 26-October 21). Next, a family musical just in time for the season, Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn (November 21-December 30), comes to Paper Mill Playhouse, based on the beloved Bing Crosby/Fred Astaire film. This heartwarming, toe-tapping production features more than 20 classic songs from the Berlin catalog, including "Easter Parade," "Cheek to Cheek," "Steppin' Out with My Baby," and "White Christmas." Next winter, Paper Mill Playhouse presents the world-premiere musical My Very Own British Invasion (January 31-March 3), directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell. The 1960s British music scene comes to life with songs from Herman's Hermits, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Petula Clark, The Moody Blues, and other legendary bands of the era. The spring brings the East Coast premiere of Benny & Joon (April 4-May 5). Based on the 1993 film that starred Johnny Depp and Mary Stuart Masterson, this new musical is a smart, funny, tender-hearted celebration of love: between children and parents; romantic partners; friends; but, most of all, siblings. The final production of the season, Disney's Beauty and the Beast (May 29-June 30), an international sensation that has played to more than 35 million people in 13 countries. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage production includes all of the original songs from the movie by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, plus additional gems by Menken and Tim Rice. Paper Mill Playhouse's 2018-2019 season is proudly sponsored by Investors Bank.

Paper Mill Playhouse will produce eight performances a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Three, four and five-show subscription packages are available now starting at just $111. Each subscription package includes a different level of special benefits (see www.PaperMill.org for details). Youth subscriptions are available for children ages 4-18 with the purchase of an adult subscription with accessible discount pricing. Single tickets will go on sale August 20 starting at just $35. Tickets and subscriptions may be purchased by calling 973.376.4343, or 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 ten or more can receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680. Titles, casting and dates subject to change.

Paper Mill Playhouse, a not-for-profit arts organization under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, 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, 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.

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