Todd Schmidt News

As one of the nation's leading regional theaters and producing partners for Broadway, Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) has a well-earned reputation for launching both performers and shows for the Great White Way. The theater will be the recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award this Sunday. Since their inception in 1996, the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre have ignited the careers of many notable performers, all of whom attended high school in New Jersey.  Among the early nominees and winners are Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables), Tony Award winners Laura Benanti (Gypsy) and Nikki M. James (The Book of Mormon), Tony nominee Rob McClure (Chaplin), Shanice Williams, star of NBC's The Wiz Live! and Olivier Award nominee Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon).  The 2016 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards Presented by the Investors Foundation ceremony took place at Paper Mill Playhouse on Tuesday, June 7, at 7:30pm, featuring presenters from Broadway and beyond. The ceremony was broadcast live on television and online through Paper Mill Playhouse video partner, Hometowne Television, of Summit, New Jersey.

As previously reported, the Tony Awards Administration Committee has awarded the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award to Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. In celebration of the honor, Paper Mill has released a new video offering a look back at its long-lasting legacy. Check it out below!

Just yesterday, the Tony Awards toasted this year's creative arts nominees- the many designers, directors, and choreographers who made this theatre season sparkle. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside the special event!

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu has approved more than $82 million to fund local arts projects and partnerships in the NEA's second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2016. Included in this announcement is an Art Works award of $40,000 to Paper Mill Playhouse to support the institution's Theatre for Everyone programs.

The Tony Awards® Administration Committee has announced this year's recipient for the Regional Theatre Tony Award is Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey.

Paper Mill Playhouse's spring musical, PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, begins tonight, featuring James Barry (Jim),Gabe Bowling (Jackson), Julie Foldesi (Prudie), Jason Ostrowski (L.M.), Alysha Umphress (Rhetta) and Sam Weber(Eddie). PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES is conceived and written by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel and Jim Wann. PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES is directed by John Foley with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter. PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey, theater through May 1, 2016. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from inside opening night below!

Paper Mill Playhouse is hosting its largest fundraising event of the year, the Paper Mill Playhouse Gala on Friday, May 6, at the renowned Hilton Short Hills. The reception and silent auction begin at 6:00pm followed by dinner and dancing featuring The Eddie Bruce Band. 

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced the expansion of the theater's Adopt-A-School program to include New Jersey middle schools. Recently the Millburn theater adopted Rahway 7th & 8th Grade Academy and Horizon School, part of Cerebral Palsy New Jersey in Livingston. 

Following its annual season guessing game, Paper Mill Playhouse announced today the lineup for its 2016-2017 season, featuring four musicals, one play and a highly anticipated US premiere. Season subscriptions are on sale now and are available by calling 973-315-3717 or by visiting the theater's website at www.PaperMill.org.

'A Bronx Tale: The Musical' at Paper Mill Playhouse is a sensational new musical theater piece. It will be on the Millburn stage through March 6th. Co-directed by Jerry Zaks and Robert DeNiro, the book is by Chazz Palminteri based on his real-life experiences as a youth. With music by Alan Menken with lyrics by Glenn Slater and choreography by Sergio Trujillo, the all-star cast delivers exceptional performances.

Paper Mill Playhouse presents the world premiere musical A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL. The musical is co-directed by two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro and four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, with choreography by four-time Drama Desk Award nominee Sergio Trujillo. A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL features a book by Chazz Palminteri, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater. A BRONX TALE: THE MUSICAL runs at the Millburn, New Jersey theater now through March 6, 2016. The official press opening was last night, February 14. BroadwayWorld was there for the special occasion and you can go inside the after party below!

Paper Mill Playhouse is pleased to announce its nomination for Favorite Theater to See a Musical and Favorite Theater Camp in the 2016 JerseyArts.com People's Choice Awards. Now in its eighth year, the yearly awards program run by Discover Jersey Arts pays tribute to the work of New Jersey's vital, vibrant and diverse arts organizations. With the ballots now prepped, it's time for arts lovers across the state to vote for their favorite N.J. arts organizations.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) just announced complete casting for the world premiere musical A Bronx Tale: The Musical. The musical will be co-directed by two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro and four-time Tony Award winner Jerry Zaks, with choreography by four-time Drama Desk Award nominee Sergio Trujillo. A Bronx Tale: The Musical features a book by Chazz Palminteri, music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) released a block of great seats today for the final two weeks of the holiday hit, A Christmas Story: The Musical. The musical will run eight times a week at the Millburn, New Jersey theater and has best availability from December 23, 2015 thru January 3, 2016. Based on the popular 1983 film, A Christmas Story: The Musical has a book by Joseph Robinette with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.  A Christmas Story: The Musical will be directed by Brandon Ivie and choreographed by Mara Newbery Greer. Paper Mill Playhouse's 2015-2016 Season is proudly sponsored by Investors Bank.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) wants to know 'What is the One Thing You Want For Christmas?' and they will select a few respondents to win free tickets to their holiday show, A Christmas Story: The Musical.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to announce its children's show programming for Fall 2015. Paper Mill's Children's Shows are charming, delightful and educational performances filled with audience participation and adventure. 

What was once a major disadvantage is now a major advantage.

Paper Mill Playhouse opens its 2015-2016 season with the world premiere musical THE BANDSTAND. As previously announced, Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes (Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, Bonnie and Clyde), Corey Cott (Newsies, Gigi) and Tony Award winner Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone, 42nd Street) star in the show, which runs through Sunday, November 8, 2015. BroadwayWorld takes you inside the opening night after party below!

Paper Mill Playhouse has announced that single tickets for its groundbreaking 2015-2016 season will go on sale to the general public on Monday, August 3, 2015.  Season subscriptions are already on sale and subscribers can already purchase additional single tickets.  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. 

As one of the nation's leading regional theaters and producing partners for Broadway, Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director,Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) has a well-earned reputation for launching both performers and shows for the Great White Way.