‘The Color Purple’ replaces ‘Unmasked’ as Paper Mill’s ’18-’19 season opener

by JAY LUSTIG
Color Purple Paper Mill

The Paper Mill Playhouse will present “The Color Purple” in September and October.

“Unmasked,” which had been planned to open the 2018-19 season of the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, has been taken off the schedule and replaced by the musical, “The Color Purple.” John Doyle — who received a Tony nomination for his direction of the 2015 Broadway revival of “The Color Purple,” and who was part of the creative team behind “Unmasked” — will direct.

“Unmasked” was to have its world premiere at the Paper Mill, and features songs and stories from throughout the career of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.

“ ‘The Color Purple’ is a title that has been on my wish list for a number of years and we are thrilled to produce this masterpiece for our audience,” said Paper Mill producing artistic director Mark S. Hoebee, in a press release. “John Doyle’s visionary reimagining of this powerful tale will take our audiences on an unforgettable journey.

“We received news last week from our producing partners in London that due to unforeseen scheduling issues, ‘Unmasked’ can no longer be presented as part of our 2018-2019 Paper Mill Playhouse season. We look forward to presenting it in a future season.”

“The Color Purple,” based on the 1982 Alice Walker novel, will run from Sept. 26 to Oct. 21. Casting has not been announced yet.

For information, visit PaperMill.org. According to the press release: “Subscribers who have chosen ‘Unmasked’ as part of their series will automatically have their seats transferred to ‘The Color Purple.’ If subscribers would like add tickets to ‘The Color Purple’ or modify their subscription, they can call the Paper Mill Playhouse subscriptions office at 973.379.3717.”

Explore more articles:

Leave a Comment

Sign up for our Newsletter