Papermill to Open the Season With Rousing Production of "Can-Can"

Paper Mill Playhouse is proud to open its 2014-2015 season with a Broadway-bound, world-class revival of Can-Can starring Kate Baldwin as Pistache and Jason Danieley as Aristide.

This fresh new production features direction by David Lee, of television hits Frasier, and Cheers, and choreography by Patti Colombo. Colombo also choreographed Paper Mill’s “Peter Pan,” “On the Town,” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”

The show features a book by Abe Burrows, of “Guys and Dolls” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” The revised script is written by Joel Fields, of Ugly Betty, and The Americans, and David Lee.

Can-Can’s score features some of Cole Porter’s timeless classics including “I Love Paris,” “C’est Magnifique,” “It’s All Right With Me” and more. Paper Mill Playhouse is launching this Broadway-bound production of Cole Porter’s classic musical with producing partner Jonathan Burrows.

Can-Can will play the Millburn, New Jersey, theater from Oct. 1 through Oct. 26. The official press opening night is Sunday, October 5, at 7 p.m. Can-Can is generously supported by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation. Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2014-2015 Season is proudly sponsored by Investors Bank.

“We’re delighted to bring Can-Can back to the Paper Mill Playhouse stage after more than 50 years,” Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director for the Millburn theater commented . “Can-Can hasn’t been revived for the Broadway stage in over 30 years and we’re thrilled to launch the next Broadway revival right here at Paper Mill Playhouse.”

“Joel and I started collaborating on Can-Can at the Pasadena Playhouse over seven years ago,” David Lee explained. “­With full permission of the Burrows and Porter estates the book has been updated without being modernized—Can-Can is still set in 1893—and although 90 percent has been rewritten it retains all of Abe Burrows’ original characters and intent.”

About the Musical
Pistache, a Parisian café owner, decides to feature the scandalous dance the Can-Can, but will her defiance of the law end her business and her love life? Can-Can was first presented at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre in 1953 by legendary producers Cy Feuer and Ernest H. Martin. The musical made an overnight sensation of Gwen Verdon. A 1960 film adaptation starred Shirley MacLaine, Frank Sinatra, Maurice Chevalier and Louis Jourdan.

Can-Can will be performed at Paper Mill Playhouse eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Performance schedule: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now and range from $28 to $99. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973-376-4343, in person 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 percent discount on tickets and should call 973-315-1680. College students can order $20 rush tickets over the phone or in person at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office on the day of the performance.

About the Cast
Can-Can will star Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin as Pistache and Broadway veteran Jason Danieley as Aristide. Ms. Baldwin returns to Paper Mill following her critically acclaimed performances in “Hello, Dolly!,” “Guys and Dolls” and “Miss Saigon.”

Most recently Baldwin starred on Broadway in “Big Fish” as Sandra Bloom. She also appeared on Broadway in “Finian’s Rainbow,” “Wonderful Town,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “The Full Monty.” Ms. Baldwin received a Tony Award nomination, an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination and a Drama Desk nomination for her performance as Sharon McLonergan in the revival of Finian’s Rainbow. Her television credits include Law & Order: SVU and Stephen Sondheim’s Passion for PBS.

Jason Danieley recently appeared on three different PBS broadcasts: Live from Lincoln Center with the NY Philharmonic in “Carousel” (Enoch Snow), “Ring Them Bells,” a celebration of Kander and Ebb, as well as NJTV’s American Songbook at NJPAC, the last two with his wife, Marin Mazzie.

Danieley’s Broadway roles include “Next to Normal” - also with Mazzie, “Curtains” (Outer Critics Circle nomination), “The Full Monty” (also on the West End) and “Candide:” (Theatre World Award and Drama Desk nomination). Danieley has been a part of the world premieres of “Floyd Collins,” “Dream True,” “The Highest Yellow,” “Beauty and Secondhand Lions.” This summer he appears in Kander and Ebb and Terrence McNally’s The Visit at Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Michael Berresse (Hilaire Jussac) returns to Paper Mill Playhouse, where he last appeared as Diesel in West Side Story. Berresse was seen on Broadway in “A Chorus Line,” “Light in the Piazza,” “Kiss Me, Kate” (Tony Award nomination), “Fascinating Rhythm,” “Carousel” and more. His film and television credits include The Bourne Legacy, State of Play, AI, Jeffrey, The Next Step, Crossbones and Law & Order.

Greg Hildreth (Boris Adzinidzinadze) performed in the Broadway and off-Broadway productions of Peter and the Starcatcher and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. Hildreth originated the role of Jean-Michel in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella on Broadway.

Michael Kostroff (Jean-Louis) appeared on HBO’s hit television series The Wire and on The Disney Channel’s Sonny with a Chance. Before performing on Broadway in The Nance, Kostroff was seen at Paper Mill Playhouse in “Les Misérables” and “Lend Me a Tenor” as well as the US tours of “Les Miserables” and “The Producers.” Mark Price (Hercule) was featured on Broadway in “Mary Poppins,” “All Shook Up,” “Wonderful Town,” “Dance of the Vampires” and others. Price was seen at Paper Mill Playhouse in “Lend Me a Tenor.”

Justin Robertson reprises the role of Étienne, which he played in Pasadena Playhouse’s production of ­”Can-Can.” Robertson appeared in Music Theatre of Wichita’s productions of “The Little Mermaid,” “My Fair Lady” and “Man of La Mancha.” Megan Sikora (Claudine) was last seen at Paper Mill Playhouse as Ado Annie in “Oklahoma.” Her Broadway credits include “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” “Promises, Promises,” “Curtains,” “Wicked” and others.

The ensemble includes:
Mike Baerga was seen in the Houston Grand Opera’s production of Aida and in New York University’s production of Wonderland. Chloe Sian Campbell appeared in the national tour of “In The Heights,” the UK tour of Our House and in the West End production of “Mary Poppins.” Jace Coronado made his Broadway debut in “West Side Story.” Coronado toured in productions of “Guys and Dolls” and “West Side Story.”

Desireé Davar appeared in Paper Mill Playhouse’s revival of “Kiss Me, Kate.” Davar played Anita in the “West Side Story” world tour before joining the Broadway company. Sarah DeBiase performed in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and in “Khovanshchina” at the Metropolitan Opera.

Taurean Everett performed in the first national tour of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert.” Everett appeared in Paper Mill Playhouse’s productions of Damn Yankees, Curtains and “Peter Pan.” Sarah Marie Jenkins is a Paper Mill Playhouse alumna who performed in “Peter Pan,” “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” and the world premiere of Honeymoon in Vegas.

Jenkins was also seen in touring productions of “Legally Blonde,” “Peter Pan,” “Swing!” and “Guys and Dolls.” Evan Kasprzak originated the role of Elmer in “Newsies” at Paper Mill Playhouse and on Broadway. Kasprzak is a tap and theater jazz dancer, best known for finishing third on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance.

Jenny Laroche performed as a Rockette in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular in New York City and across the country. Laroche also had a recurring role on the hit NBC musical drama series Smash. Kate Marilley returns to Paper Mill Playhouse, where she appeared in productions of “Kiss Me, Kate” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” Marilley was seen in the “Billy Elliot” national tour.

Michael McArthur carried the banner in Newsies at Paper Mill Playhouse. McArthur performed in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and on NBC’s Smash.

Sarah Meahl appeared in several Muny productions including “Nunsense,” “Spamalot,” “Aladdin,” “The Little Mermaid” and others. Meahl was in Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Peter Nelson performed in the Broadway companies of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” and “Chicago.” Justin Patterson appeared on Broadway in “All Shook Up,” “Young Frankenstein,” “9 to 5,” “A Little Night Music,” “Memphis” and “Annie.”

Molly Tynes made her Broadway debut in the revival of “Pippin.” At Paper Mill Playhouse, Tynes performed in “Curtains” and “On the Town”. Ryan Worsing appeared in Paper Mill Playhouse’s productions of “Hello, Dolly!” and “Kiss Me, Kate.” On Broadway, Worsing was seen in “Chicago,” “White Christmas” and “Shrek.”

About the Director and Co-Authors
After premiering at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Joe Fields’s romantic comedy “How I Fell in Love” received its New York debut at the Abingdon Theatre in 2011. He received the Abingdon’s 2009 Christopher Brian Wolk Award for excellence in playwriting. Fields has served as writer-producer for numerous television series including Ugly Betty, Raising the Bar, Over There, and as writer/executive producer on FX’s series The Americans.

David Lee (Director/Co-author) is a nine-time Emmy Award-winning director, producer and writer. Lee directed Can-Can at Pasadena Playhouse. He also directed productions of “Light Up the Sky,” “Do I Hear A Waltz?,” “110 in the Shade,” “Diva,” “How I Fell In Love” (Williamstown Theatre Festival), “On the 20th Century,” “Assassins,” “Company,” “A New Brain,” “Applause,” “Working,” “Zorba,” “Elegies (Reprise!),” staged readings of “The New Hope Memorial” (Mark Taper Lab) and “They Knew What They Wanted” (Roundabout).

Lee is the co-creator of Wings and Frasier, which he also wrote, produced and directed. He served as writer/producer for The Jeffersons and Cheers and directed Everybody Loves Raymond. In addition to 18 Emmy nominations, he is the recipient of the Directors Guild Award, Golden Globe, Producers Guild Award, GLAAD Media Award, British Comedy Award, Television Critics Association Award (three times), the Humanitas Prize (twice) and the Peabody.

About the Choreographer
Patti Colombo (Choreographer) received an Emmy nomination and an American Choreographer’s Award for “Peter Pan” starring Cathy Rigby that aired on A&E. Colombo also choreographed Peter Pan at Paper Mill Playhouse and on Broadway. She choreographed the national tours of “Doctor Dolittle” with Tommy Tune and “Seussical” with Cathy Rigby.

In addition to “Peter Pan,” Colombo choreographed “On the Town” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” at Paper Mill Playhouse. Colombo directed the UK production of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” Ms. Colombo choreographed the inaugural galas for both Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Some of her television work includes choreographing over 100 episodes of the Emmy Award-winning Adventures in Wonderland for The Disney Channel.

About the Music Director/Conductor
Steve Orich (Music Director/Conductor) received a 2006 Tony Award nomination for Best Orchestrations for “Jersey Boys.” Orich served as Musical Director/Orchestrator for Pasadena Playhouse’s production of “Can-Can.” He musically directed and orchestrated many musicals at Pasadena Playhouse including “Jersey Boys,” “110 in the Shade,” “Do I Hear a Waltz?” and “A Class Act.” Orich also has worked at The Kennedy Center and the Hollywood Bowl.

The Can-Can design team includes:
Rob Bissinger (Scenic Design) returns to Paper Mill Playhouse to design his fifth production. His past Paper Mill Playhouse design credits include “Damn Yankees,” “The Full Monty,” “Meet Me in St. Louis” and “Pirates!”
Bissinger was an art director for large-scale projects such as the Venetian Phantom Theatre in Las Vegas and the Opening Ceremony for the 2014 Winter Olympics (Emmy nomination).

He was associate designer for several Broadway productions including “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” and “All Shook Up.” Audiences nationally and internationally have seen his designs for countless touring productions including “3 Mo’ Tenors,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” Disney’s Believe and most recently, Mythbusters: Behind the Myths.

Ann Hould-Ward (Costume Design) received the 1994 Tony Award for Best Costume Design for “Beauty and the Beast.” Some of her costume designs for Broadway include “Sunday in the Park with George” (Tony and Drama Desk nominations; Maharam Award for Outstanding Costume Design), “A Catered Affair” (Drama Desk Award nomination), “Harrigan and Hart” (Maharam nomination) and “Into the Woods” (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critic’s Circle nominations; Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award).

Michael Gilliam (Lighting Design) provided lighting design for the Broadway productions of “Bonnie and Clyde,” “Brooklyn” and “Big River.” Gilliam also designed Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of “Blue.”

Randy Hansen (Sound Design) is Paper Mill Playhouse’s resident sound designer. He is audio consultant and sound designer for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Indianapolis Symphony, and he completed the sound installation at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. Numerous television broadcasts include Broadway on Broadway, Victoria’s Secret Christmas specials and the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Rob Greene and J. Jared Janas (Hair, Wig & Makeup Design) have worked on many Broadway shows including “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill,” “Motown,” The Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess” and “Next to Normal.” At Paper Mill Playhouse Greene and Janas designed wigs for “Curtains” and “Peter Pan.”

Tim Weske (Fight Director) is a weapons specialist with an extensive list of film, television and theater credits. Some of the celebrities Weske trained include Sandra Bullock, Anne Hathaway, Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman and others.
Tara Rubin Casting (Casting) is a New York City-based company whose select Broadway and Off Broadway credits include “Aladdin,” “Les Misérables,” “Here Lies Love” and “Phantom of the Opera” in addition to Yale Repertory, Westport Country Playhouse and many other regional companies.

Jonathan Burrows (Producer) began his professional career as an assistant stage director at the New York City Opera in 1966 with Plácido Domingo in “Carmen” and “Madama Butterfly,” “Beverly Sills in The Tales Of Hoffman” and many more.

Two years later he was producing theatre in New York including Athol Fugard’s “Hello & Goodbye” directed by George C. Scott, starring Martin Sheen and Coleen Dewhurst; Contributions starring Claudia McNeil; the national tour of “The Mad Show;” and “Fire on Broadway” in 1969.

When he turned his attention to film, he started as an assistant director for David Lean on Ryan’s Daughter (MGM, 1970). After joining the executive training program at Columbia Pictures, he worked as a production executive and in other capacities on 17 major films including A Delicate Balance with Katharine Hepburn, The Iceman Cometh with Lee Marvin and Jeff Bridges, Rhinoceros with Zero Mostel, The Homecoming with Ian Holm, and The Man In the Glass Booth with Maximilian Schell. Burrows served as a producer for Texasville (Columbia, 1990) and Fletch (Universal, 1984).

Gary Mickelson (Production Stage Manager) recently stage managed “South Pacific” at Paper Mill Playhouse. On Broadway, Mr. Mickelson stage managed “First Date,” “Memphis,” “Gypsy,” “Company,” “Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life,” “The Lion in Winter” and “Victor/Victoria.”

Accessible for all Audiences
Paper Mill Playhouse, a leader in accessibility, will offer audio-described performances for Can-Can on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Oct. 26, at 1:30 p.m. 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, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m.

About Paper Mill Playhouse
Paper Mill Playhouse, a not-for-profit arts organization, 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/Department of State, A Partner Agency of the National Endowment for 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.

Information courtesy of Shayne Austin Miller, Director of Press and Public Relations, Paper Mill Playhouse.

Photo courtesy of the Paper Mill Playhouse Facebook Page.