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Mark S. Hoebee

The Sound of Music (Paper Mill Playhouse)

December 5, 2022

The new production of "The Sound of Music" at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse is such an utter delight, you shouldn’t be wasting time reading this review, you  should be ordering tickets right now (www.papermill.org).  I’ve seen countless productions at Paper Mill since the 1970’s.  This production, running through January 1st, is one of the most satisfying productions I’ve ever seen at that theater—which is saying plenty.  Director Mark S. Hoebee tells the familiar story—rich with honest sentiment--clearly and well.  The show, with more than 30 actors on stage and 16 musicians in the pit, is handsomely produced. [more]

ON THE TOWN with Chip Deffaa …. for July 5th, 2016

July 5, 2016

I’ve always liked Andrew Keenan-Bolger's work. He was a memorable child actor, playing leads on Broadway in shows like "Beauty and the Beast" and "Seussical," when he was around 13 or 14 years old.  I admired  his sunny, open-hearted work then.  And he's even more successful today (at age 31)  as an adult--not every child actor can make such a transition. He conveys the same sort of buoyant spirit on stage now as he did when I first saw him in those  shows he did so well as a youth.. (His whole family is talented.  He and his sisters, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Maggie Keenan-Bolger, are all making their contributions to the arts.) [more]