Paper Mill Playhouse to Collect Coats for Needy NJ Families, Jersey Cares

Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is joining JERSEY CARES as a collection site for new and gently used coats to benefit to at-risk men, women, children and infants in our area. Coats can be dropped off during normal box office hours in the theater's lobby at Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ during the run of The Bodyguard: The Musical (November 25 -January 1).

"Paper Mill Playhouse is thrilled to work with our partners at Jersey Cares to ensure every New Jersey resident has a warm and comfortable winter," remarked Todd Schmidt, Paper Mill Playhouse Managing Director, "For more than 20 years, Paper Mill Playhouse's participation in this drive has garnered thousands of coats for needy New Jersey families."

Paper Mill Playhouse's annual coat drive will take place during the theater's run of the US premiere musical The Bodyguard starring R&B superstar Deborah Cox. The Bodyguard is based on the Warner Bros. film written by Lawrence Kasdan, with book by Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), directed by Thea Sharrock (Equus) and with choreography by Karen Bruce (Strictly Come Dancing).

Performances are set to begin Friday, November 25, 2016, for a limited run through Sunday, January 1, 2017, at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive) in Millburn, NJ, prior to the official national tour opening at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, MN, on January 10, 2017. The Bodyguard will be performed at Paper Mill Playhouse eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Performance schedule: Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 1:30pm and 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 1:30pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm. Please visit www.PaperMill.org for special holiday schedules. Tickets are on sale now starting at $32. 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. Students may order $20 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse box office on the day of the performance. Paper Mill Playhouse's 2016-2017 season is proudly sponsored by Investors Bank.

Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard Frank Farmer is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don't expect is to fall in love. A romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a host of irresistible classics including "So Emotional," "One Moment in Time," "Saving All My Love," "Run to You," "I Have Nothing," "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," and one of the biggest selling songs of all time - "I Will Always Love You."

Rounding out the principal cast are Alex Corrado (Gotham, Hannibal) as Tony Scibelli, Rachel's personal security guard, Charles Gray (Broadway: The Color Purple, Grease, Tour:The Lion King) as manager Bill Devaney, Jonathan Hadley (Broadway: Jersey Boys, A Class Act) as publicist Sy Spector, Jorge Paniagua (Regional: The Full Monty, Oregon Shakespeare Festival) as the Stalker, Jasmin Richardson (Tour: Memphis, Dreamgirls) as Rachel's sister Nicki Marron, and Douglas Baldeo (Broadway: Kinky Boots, Tour: Motown) and Kevelin B. Jones III (Idlewild Music Festival) alternating in the role of Rachel's son Fletcher.

JERSEY CARES works to meet compelling community needs by encouraging civic engagement. With local service agencies, corporations and civic-minded individuals as our partners, we link volunteers with meaningful service projects to improve and enhance our communities. Jersey Cares aims to promote the ethic of community service among concerned citizens and channel volunteers into activities that positively impact the lives of people who need our help the most.

Paper Mill Playhouse, a not-for-profit arts organization under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Todd Schmidt (Managing 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. 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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