Veteran Judy McLane has been offered the lead role in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of Victor/Victoria, Playbill On-Line has learned. Productions sources also report that for Jekyll and Hyde star Robert Cuccioli will star as King Marchan in the show, which begins performances Nov. 1 and will run through Dec. 10.
Blake Edwards’ musical, Victor/Victoria, is based on the 1982 movie musical of the same name and had a run on Broadway with Julie Andrews.
Directed by Mark S. Hoebee and choreographed by Arte Phillips Victor/Victoria will also star Lee Roy Reams as Toddy and Tara O'Brien as Norma Cassidy. Cuccioli has a history with New Jersey's State Theatre, having starred there in Oklahoma!, 1776, Jesus Christ Superstar, Rhythm Ranch and Lend Me A Tenor. Currently in rehearsals for Antony and Cleopatra at the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, Cuccioli will take a ten-day break after that run before starting rehearsals for Victor/Victoria. Cuccioli is best known, of course, for the title role in the Broadway musical Jekyll & Hyde
The Paper Mill Playhouse's 63rd season, scheduled to run from September 2000 through July 2001 will feature Cole Porter's Anything Goes (Sept. 6- Oct. 15); Victor/Victoria (Nov. 1 - Dec. 10); a holiday run of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker; Yasmina Reza's Art (Jan. 3 - Feb. 4, 2000); Jule Styne and Bob Merrill's Funny Girl (April 4 - May 20); and Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel (May 30 -July 15).
A sixth show will be announced in the near future, Paper Mill sources said. Several concerts will be performed this coming season at New Jersey's state theatre including Jewish inspirational songstress Debbie Friedman (Oct. 10), comic Jackie Mason (Oct. 17 - 21), Broadway and cabaret legend Barbara Cook (Dec. 5), country/pop star Kathy Mattea (Dec. 19), Grammy winning stylist Michael Feinstein (May 1, 2000).
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Paper Mill's Anything Goes will star two-time Tony winner, Chita Rivera as Reno Sweeney with Lee Roy Reams directing. A scheduled sneak preview of Anything Goes (press only) is scheduled for Aug. 31.
The New Jersey Ballet’s presentation of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker at Paper Mill celebrates that company's 30th anniversary. Nutcracker features a cast of 100 working with such resident Paper Mill talent as award-winning scenic designer, Michael Anania, who helps create a magical world of mice, clowns, snow flakes, sugar plum fairies, soldiers and angels and a handsome prince.
Reza’s Art deals with three men, thrown into turmoil by a piece of modern art, a conflict which forces them to reevaluate and renew their bonds of friendship. The play won a Tony Award and has since toured the nation.
Jule Styne’s Funny Girl chronicles the life of stage and screen comedienne, Fanny Brice, and features such songs as "People," "I’m The Greatest Star" and "Don’t Rain On My Parade." The original Broadway production starred Barbra Streisand.
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, based on the Molnar play Liliom, comprises many of the most memorable songs in musical theatre including "If I Loved You," "June is Bustin’ Out All Over" and "You’ll Never Walk Alone."
Tickets range $37 - $60, with flexible subscription options available. The Paper Mill box office can be reached at (973) 376-4343.
