Paper Mill Cuts Back to Five Productions

While families across the state are cutting back, the Paper Mill Playhouse is cutting back too to save money and help season subscribers.

Playhouse officials announced the 2009-10 season during an event at the playhouse Friday morning, featuring Robert Cuccioli, who will play in the upcoming production of "1776." The upcoming season will feature "Little House on the Prairie," "On the Town," "Lost in Yonkers," "Smokey Joe's Cafe," and "Peter Pan."

The season features one less play than a normal playhouse season, which was done to cut some costs for both the theater and season subscribers, said Shayne Miller, playhouse press and public relations director.

Season subscribers will see a break in their subscription rates, he said, and prices for shows will not increase. In some cases, ticket prices may decrease.

"A lot of theaters are canceling performances or picking things of a lower quality," he said.

Additionally, the move allows the playhouse to cut back on some costs while maintaining the level of quality people want from the playhouse, Miller said.

Mark W. Jones, playhouse executive director, said there wouldn't even be a season if it wasn't for the town purchasing the playhouse a year ago, which allowed playhouse officials to pay off their debt.

Additionally, there is a new cost-sharing scheme that involves the playhouse partnering with four other theaters, he said. The playhouse will work with the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, the Cleveland Playhouse and the Jupiter Theatre in Florida.

"Little House on the Prairie" also comes from the Guthrie Theater, which developed the production, and the Paper Mill Playhouse performance is the first before a national tour for the production.

"(Theater-goers) expect the very best theater, and they're going to get it," Jones said of the upcoming season.

In addition to announcing the upcoming season, Sylvia Baron was honored as the first Paper Mill Playhouse Volunteer of the Year. She received an award from Mayor Sandra Haimoff.

Haimoff said Baron is the "familiar face" at the playhouse's gift shop and has spent countless hours volunteering her time.

"Little House on the Prairie" will run Sept. 10 through Oct. 10, and Melissa Gilbert, who was in the original series, will play Ma in the show. "On the Town" will run Nov. 11 through Dec. 6, and "Lost in Yonkers" will take the stage Feb. 17 through March 14. "Smokey Joe's Cafe" will run April 7 - May 2, and "Peter Pan" will close out the season June 2 through June 27. A nationwide search will be conducted to find the next Peter Pan.

Single tickets for the performances will be available this summer, and subscription renewals are available now.