Papermill in Trouble - Updates — Page 3

i think the saddest part of this will be the loss of the amazing theatre education department Paper Mill has running. I have been a member of their Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory for two years now and it is always a remarkable experience with wonderful instructors and amazingly talents teens. also, with the Adopt-A-School and Rising Star Award programs the theatre houses probably the best educational theatre department in NJ. it would be ashame to loss this place.

as to benefits,
last year I attended a gala fundraiser they had with Barbara Cook and Audra MacDonald (could you ask for more?) and they had so little interest that they gave free tickets to their students.

i'm not sure what the problem is but they really have to fix it, b/c it would be a shame to lose such an amazing regional theatre

Although Broadway is thriving with average weekly attendance above 80 % most weeks, shows on the road - aside from a few blockbusters - is suffering.

People are not buying subscriptions as much, and advance sales are weak. Some shows make up for it in last minute ticket sales, but many do not.

There have been a number of theories; more home entertainment options (DVD, video games) the aging audiences for live theatre, and fall-out after 9/11.

No one knows for sure, except that road presenters are very nervous these days and large houses have a lot of empty seats

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Christine Ebersole was wonderful in MAME.. I had done the revival in 1983 with Angela Lansbury and really thought going into it that I would probably like anyone in the role, but she was fabulous. The production was way over the top, but she was wonderful and the sweetest gal you would ever want to meet.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/107048.html

For all those inquiring about a fundraiser benefit....

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Anyone think there'd be transporation to the theatre?...My kids and I are arriving on the 9th and while it's unlikely I'd be able to go cause my son wouldn't be very interested, I was just curious. And since we're traveling by train to get to Manhattan, we'd be carless.

Hey, Jim. It's JP! Long time, no see!

I hate to have to agree with Jim, but he is probably right in the long run. He and I share a few shows in common at "Le Mill du Papier", and yes, it wasn't always pretty, and Robert could be a monster, but, he put up some of the most visually stunning crowd pleasers that money could, and did, pay for.

I really hope that they can pull it together and survive for another 50 years! I'll be sending in my donation shortly. Why don't we all follow suit? Every little bit helps.

Peace.

JP

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Bump....just because

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I can't make the benefit, since I am away on vacation next week, however I will be sending them a donation. If you go to their website (www.papermill.org) there is a link for donations.

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I have never been there, but would donate if I could, as any muscal theatre is worth saving, especially in today's day and age. But, I already give monthly to AMT (for a $2500 annual donation) and Theatreworks ($500 annual donation), and really cannot afford any more; at least not now.

AMT is also having financial difficulties, and they were renowned ... they still are, but not as much. As has been discussed before with say Paper Mill, production decisions are partly at fault. With AMT, their very short-sighted and awful decision to go to mostly touring productions in the late '90's has finally backfired financially, and now the four local shows they're doing next season -- cut back from six due to money issues -- aren't very spectacular ... Little Shop, Guys and Dolls, Cabaret and, the milked-to-death tired favorite of any community theatre, Beauty & the Beast. They even let go of their two year old artistic director due to cutbacks. I have taken classes there and know a number of their staff, so that is a big part of why I opted to begin a monthly donation cycle for $2500 annually.

I would hate to think that we have reached a "peak" in musical theatre, you know?

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I just made my donation, and I encourage everyone else, particulary those in the NY/NJ area, to give what they can.

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No offense I expected better people to be helping out with the fundraiser.

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Posting mainly to bump...
I made a donation and wish I could have given more (which may be weird because I've never even been to the place...) I passed the info along to the various groups I moderate, too.

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Well, their Ragtime was fantastic, and made me a Rachel York fan for life.