Review Roundup: THE OUTSIDER at Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse presents THE OUTSIDER, the biting political satire by Paul Slade Smith. This hilarious play follows Ned Newley, perhaps the most unlikely candidate ever, who is suddenly and unexpectedly thrust into the role of Governor when the current Governor is forced to resign. Though he has experience with the law, he couldn't have less experience with being a public figure; Newly is lacking in natural charisma and is definitely afraid of public speaking. Desperate to make things work, his political consultants work to keep him on the right track. THE OUTSIDER opened on January 24th and is set to run through February 18th.

THE OUTSIDER is directed by David Esbjornson and features Kelley Curran, Julia Duffy, Manoel Felciano, Erin Noel Grennan, Mike Houston, Burke Moses, and Lenny Wolpe.

Let's hear what the critics had to say!

Marina Kennedy, BroadwayWorld: The cast of The Outsider is exceptional. They master their roles and capture the humor and charm of the play. The company features Lenny Wolpe as Ned Newley; Julia Duffyas Paige Caldwell; Manoel Felciano as Dave Riley; Erin Noel Grennan as Louise Peakes; Burke Moses as Arthur Vance; Kelley Curran as Rachel Parsons; and Mike Houston as A.C. Petersen. Audiences will love the dynamic scenes that keep you chuckling and wondering what will happen from minute to minute... No matter what your political ideals are, you will totally enjoy The Outsider. It is an insightful, witty satire about modern American politics that will appeal to a vast audience. Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director and Todd Schmidt, Managing Director continue to make the 2017-2018 Season at Paper Mill Playhouse outstanding.

Jim Beckerman, Northjersey.com: This is a nice comedy. Too nice for the present political moment - which, judging from the title "The Outsider" and its place in the Paper Mill Season, it's meant to comment on. First produced on the West Coast in 2015, before the election of Donald Trump, it has an air of being late to the party.... Considered just as a farce - rather than a comedy of the moment whose moment has come and gone - "The Outsider" is well put together. The director, David Esbjornson, has a winning cast to work with. In addition to Wolpe and Grennan, there's Julia Duffy as the no-nonsense pollster. Her voice cracks charmingly, like Jean Arthur in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." Moses, as the smarmy political operator, Felciano as the earnest gubernatorial assistant, Kelley Curran as a pugnacious TV reporter, and Mike Houston as her cameraman who goes "uhm," are all fun. Satire comments by exaggeration: by magnifying things to seem more extreme and grotesque than they are. But reality, in 2018, is more grotesque than anything in the rather civilized comedy of "The Outsider." Alas for us.

Photo Courtesy of Paper Mill Playhouse.

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