Paper Mill Playhouse history

Change marked this period in Paper Mill’s history, especially with Miss Scudder’s death in 1958.

In 1971, the New Jersey Ballet staged its first production of The Nutcracker at Paper Mill with world-renowned dancer Edward Villella in the role of the Cavalier.

In 1972, Governor of New Jersey William Cahill proclaimed Paper Mill the "Official State Theater of New Jersey." The theater has been cited as a State Center of Artistic Excellence and as a Major Impact and Distinguished Arts Organization by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

After the passing of the original founders, Angelo del Rossi assumed the role of executive producer in 1975.

On October 30, 1982, the Paper Mill reopened for their first theatrical production since the fire.

In 1986, the National Endowment for the Arts ranks Paper Mill Playhouse second in the nation for artistic excellence, surpassed only by the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.

Future Tony Award winner and television star Kristin Chenoweth makes her professional debut in Animal Crackers in 1993.

In 1997, film actress Anne Hathaway is featured in Paper Mill Playhouse’s New Voices Concert after attending Paper Mill’s theater school for several years.

In 1998, Ann Miller and Donna McKechnie lead the all-star cast of the acclaimed revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies, generating international attention, and Gypsy starring Betty Buckley and Deborah Gibson is named one of the “Top Ten Theatrical Events of the Year” by USA Today.

In 1999, Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Crazy for You is nationally broadcast on the PBS “Great Performances Series” and nominated for an Emmy Award, and Tony Award winners Christine Ebersole and Kelly Bishop star in Mame.

In April 2003, Michael Gennaro, former executive director of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater, joined Paper Mill as president and CEO. Paper Mill Playhouse was one of the first theaters to begin the regional theater movement in the United States.

On April 3, 2007, Paper Mill announced that it would need $1.5 million to open its season and an equal amount to complete its season, or it would be forced to close its doors.

On June 17, 2008, the Township of Millburn voted to purchase building and four acres of land the Paper Mill sits on for $9 million.

That same year Mark S. Hoebee is promoted to Producing Artistic Director and is joined in 2010 by Managing Director Todd Schmidt in taking the reins of the theater.

And in an unprecedented partnership with Disney Theatrical Productions, the 2011-12 Season opens with the world premiere of Newsies! – which subsequently opens on Broadway the following spring.

In the fall of 2013, Paper Mill celebrates its 75th Anniversary as one of the oldest regional theaters in the country by kicking off the season with the world premiere Broadway-bound production of Honeymoon in Vegas starring Tony Danza.

Del Rossi became executive producer and remained in that role for nearly 40 years until his death in August 2014.

Recently, the Paper Mill received the 2016 Regional Tony Award, given to the top regional theatre company in the country.