Paper Mill Playhouse, which hosted the New York Metropolitan area premiere of "Disney High School Musical" in 2008, once again is teaming up with the mighty mouse for its next season.The big theater in Millburn announced that it will open its 2011-12 season with the world premiere of the musical "Newsies," based on the 1992 cult film hit.
Previews, and Paper Mill's new season, begin Sept. 15, with the official opening set for Sept. 25. Performances will continue through Oct. 16.
"We are thrilled that Disney Theatrical has chosen Paper Mill Playhouse to premiere this new musical," said Paper Mill Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee. "This is an important project for Paper Mill Playhouse as we help to bring this brand new Disney musical to our stage and beyond."
"Newsies" launches a five-show season that continues Nov. 16 to Dec. 18 with the New Jersey premiere of "White Christmas," based on the popular 1954 Bing Crosby-Danny Kaye film (not to be confused with "Holiday Inn," the 1942 Crosby-Fred Astaire film that debuted Irving Berlin's classic song).
Crossing into 2012, Paper Mill hopes to warm its patrons with the comedy "Boeing-Boeing," based on the 1965 film comedy (which was based on a 1960 French stage farce) and running Jan. 18 to Feb. 12.
Musical comedy returns just in time for baseball season with "Damn Yankees" (March 7 to April 1) before the season concludes May 30 to June 24 with "Once on This Island."
Based on the historic 1899 "Newsboy" strike of newspaper carriers in New York (boy, have times changed) "Newsies" was one of Disney's most expensive cinematic flops of all-time. But with original Alan Menken songs and lively production numbers, it gained a cult following in the video rental market and the Disney Channel.
This stage adaptation not only includes more new songs from Menken, but a book by Harvey Fierstein.
"It's been thrilling to return to my beloved 'Newsies' and to revisit, revamp and expand upon the score (lyricist) Jack Feldman and I wrote, especially with the exciting addition of a new book by the brilliant Harvey Fierstein," Menken said in a news release announcing the premiere.
"This collaboration has been a total joy. And I can't wait to see our new baby come to life."
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