The Color Purple at Paper Mill Playhouse

“I am looking forward to celebrating Paper Mill’s 80thanniversary with you this season”

– Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director

 “I’m absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to remount The Color Purpleat the renowned Paper Mill Playhouse.”

– John Doyle, Director

Paper Mill Playhouseopens its 80thanniversary season with The Color Purple (September 26-October 21).  It is followed by Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn(November 21-December 30), 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.” In the winter, Paper Mill Playhouse presents the world-premiere musical My Very Own British Invasion (January 31-March 3), directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner 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 which 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; and, 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, a not-for-profit arts organization under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award in 2016, is one of the country’s leading regional theaters.

For additional information, visit www.PaperMill.org

facebook.com/PaperMillPlayhouse

Twitter: @paper_mill

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“Now, more than ever, we need to be reminded of Alice Walker’s inspirational story.”
“Celie’s story needs to be heard at a time when so many people feel that their voices aren’t being listened to.”
– John Doyle, Director
 
John Doyle.
Photo /Walter McBride

JOHN DOYLE RESTAGES HIS MASTERPIECE TO OPEN PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE’S 80TH SEASON

The Color Purple, the Tony Award-winning revival that thrilled Broadway audiences has come to Paper Mill, where director John Doyle has remounted his visionary production.

This unforgettable and moving musical based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the Warner Bros./Amblin Entertainment Award-nominated film features a soul-raising, Grammy-winning score infused with jazz, gospel, ragtime, and blues. The Color Purple, with a book by Marsha Normanand music and lyrics by Brenda Russell,Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, is a stirring family chronicle about the power of love and life. This show contains adult themes.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to remount The Color Purpleat the renowned Paper Mill Playhouse,” said director John Doyle. “It’s travelled a long journey from London’s tiny Menier Chocolate Factory, to its Tony-winning Broadway run, to a successful U.S. national tour. These weeks at the wonderful Paper Mill Playhouse will be the perfect coda to the journey. Now, more than ever, we need to be reminded of Alice Walker’s inspirational story.”

 John Doyle, further comments onThe Color Purple: “Celie’s story needed to be heard.  It needed to be heard again. It needs to be heard at a time when so many people feel that their voices aren’t being listened to.  We needed to be reminded of this powerful story of oppression, brokenness, and final human resurrection.  We need the hope that Celie and Sofia and Shug provide.  We needed to see Mister’s redemption and to experience the power of the spirit ‘rising.’”

Adrianna Hicks (Celie) & The Company of The Color Purple.
Photo / Jerry Dalia

Cast members from the 2015 Broadway revival lead the Paper Mill Playhouse company, including Adrianna Hicks (Aladdin, Sister Act – Germany) as Celie, Carla R. Stewart (Ghost – National Tour, Rent – Regional) as Shug Avery and Carrie Compere (Holler If You Hear Me, Shrek the Musical – National Tour) as Sofia.

Adrianna Hicks (center), Background (L to R): Darnel Abraham (Adam) & N’Jameh Camara (Nettie).
Photo / Jerry Dalia
Gavin Gregory (Mister)
Photo / Jerry Dalia

They will be joined by Gavin Gregory (The Color Purple, The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess) as Mister, N’Jameh Camara (X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. The Nation) as Nettie, Jay Donnell (Miss Saigon) as Harpo, along with Darnell Abraham, Amar Atkins, Kyle E. Baird, Angela Birchett, Erica Durham, Bianca Horn, Jamal James, Mekhai Lee, Gabrielle Reid, C.E. Smith, Will T. Travis, Nyla Watson, J.D. Webster, Brit West and Nikisha Williams.

Adrianna Hicks (Celie) & N’Jamesh Camara (Nettie)
Photo / Jerry Dalia

The creative team for The Color Purple includes Tony Award winner John Doyle (Direction, Scenic Design), Darryl Archibald (Music Direction), Tony Award winner Ann Hould-Ward (Costume Design), Tony Award nominee Jane Cox (Lighting Design), Dan Moses Schreier (Sound Design), Drama Desk winner Charles G. LaPointe (Hair and Wig Design), Melissa Chacón (Production Stage Manager) and Telsey + Company (Casting).

Accessibility Performances for The Color Purple

Paper Mill Playhouse, a leader in accessibility, offers audio-described performances for The Color Purpleon Saturday, October 20, 2018, at 1:30pm and Sunday, October 21, 2018, at 1:30pm. Prior to these performances at noon, the theater will offer free sensory seminars. Sensory seminars offer an opportunity for patrons with vision loss to hear a live, in-depth description of the production elements of the show and hands-on interaction with key sets, props, and costumes. There will be a sign-interpreted and open-captioned performance on Sunday, October 21, 2018, at 7:00pm.

Free Audience Enrichment Activities for The Color Purple

Conversation Club: Join theatergoers on Thursday evenings, October 11 and October 18 one hour before curtain for an informal, informative gathering. You’ll learn more about the performance you’re about to see.

The Director’s Viewpoint: One hour before curtain at 6:30pm on Wednesday, September 26, we host a pre-show discussion in the Renee Foosaner Art Gallery.

Q&A with the Cast: After the matinee onSaturday, October 20, stick around for a lively Q&A with cast members directly following the performance.

The Color Purple is performed at Paper Mill Playhouseeight 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 andSunday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm.

For more information and for ticketscall 973.376.4343 or visit www.PaperMill.orgor the box office at 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn.

Groups of 10 or more may receive up to a 40% discount on tickets and should call 973.315.1680.

Season subscriptions are on sale now and are available by calling 973.379.3717.

Students have access to rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office on the day of the performance.

Closing Date:October 21, 2018.

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, and Health and Wellness)

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