By Mabel Pais
Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, NJ is the recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director), and Todd Schmidt (Managing Director). The Playhouse is one of the country’s leading regional theatres.
The Playhouse shares the wonder of creation in its 2017-2018 season with an astonishing 4 premieres: The Honeymooners, the major revival of a cherished holiday classic Annie, A new musical: Half Time, and the current new play The Outsider.
Paper Mill has been consistently recognized for the high-quality artistry of its re-imagined classic musicals as well its commitment to development of new works and careers of New York Broadway’s best talent and emerging artists both onstage and behind the scenes.
Along the way, some of today’s best classical singers, dancers, directors, choreographers, actors, playwrights and designers share their talents to transport you with captivating, human and funny American stories.
It’s all part of what has placed Paper Mill Playhouse center stage in bringing the new American musical theater to life, and it’s why anyone looking for what’s truly next and noteworthy subscribes.
For additional information, visit www.papermill.org.
The Outsider (The Play)
“One of the funniest plays in years”
“A comedy of political errors”
– Mark S. Hoebee & Todd Schmidt
Paper Mill Playhouse
In politics, the less you know, the higher you’ll go!
Photo Credit /Matthew Murphy
Photo Credit / Jerry Dalia
At once a razor-sharp satire and an inspirational tribute to democracy, The Outsider by Paul Slade Smith is a timely and hilarious send-up of modern American politics.
Completely fictional, the story begins in the midst of a political scandal, Ned Newley, the ultimate policy wonk, is unexpectedly thrust into the position of Governor. A complete unknown, with no political instincts and a paralyzing fear of public speaking, to his ever-supportive chief of staff, Ned seems destined to fail. But a political guru, Arthur Vance sees things a little differently: Ned might be the worst candidate to ever run for office. Unless the public is looking for… the worst candidate to ever run for office!
In March 2016 at a successful reading of the play attended by top Broadway (NY theater) insiders, “declared it one of the funniest – not to mention topical – plays in years” quipped Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director and Todd Schmidt, Managing Director of Paper Mill Playhouse.
Governor Phil Murphy, and 7 former governors of NJ teamed up to promote The Outsider in an unusual video. The 2-minute video, which went live a few days before the start of the performances, got over 150,000 views on YouTube in its first 3 days. You can view it at https://youtu.be/JORleE_3jYE
“We’ve had hundreds of shares, tons of views,” says Hawley Abelow, director of communications, marketing and membership for Paper Mill. “I think when all is said and done, this is going to be extraordinarily successful for getting attention and selling tickets.”
Book: Paul Slade Smith
Starring: Kelley Curran, Julia Duffy, Manoel Felciano, Erin Noel
Grennan, Mike Houston, Burke Moses, Lenny Wolpe
Directed by: David Esbjornson
The production team includes set design by Michael Schweikardt, costume design by Elizabeth Hope Clancy, lighting design by Ben Stanton, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, and sound design by Randy Hansen.
The Outsider runs from January 24 to February 18, 2018.
The following link is a hilarious promotional video for The Outsider
For more information and tickets on The Outsider, visit papermill.org.
(The author writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, and Spirituality)
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