From Paper Mill to Playhouse: A Journey Through History

This article explores the intertwined histories of two seemingly disparate locations: the Alumni Hall at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), formerly known as Breezedale, and the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. By examining their origins, transformations, and significance, we uncover a rich tapestry of societal evolution, artistic expression, and community engagement.

Breezedale: From Private Estate to University Landmark

Breezedale's story begins in 1789 when the state of Pennsylvania granted the land to James Brison. However, the narrative truly takes shape with James Sutton (1815-70), a prominent businessman and financier in 19th-century Indiana. Sutton, along with his brother John (namesake of John Sutton Hall), ventured into business with the J&J Dry Goods Store.

The Sutton Era: Building a Legacy

James Sutton's acquisition of land in West Indiana, located between the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks (present-day Eighth Street) and the Pittsburgh Road (now Oakland Avenue), marked the beginning of Breezedale's construction. The estate featured an orchard, gardens, and a two-story wood frame house. The meticulously planned structure, built in the Italianate style popular during the later Victorian era, became one of the largest and most elegant homes in Indiana. The interior was lavishly decorated with rich patterns and colors, reflecting the sophisticated tastes of Mrs. Sarah Sutton (1816-99).

Sarah Sutton, born in Mercer, PA, and educated in Steubenville, Ohio, played a crucial role in designing the mansion's interior. A passionate shopper, she acquired furniture, household goods, and artwork, including Louis Quinze chairs from France, a white marble statue from Italy, and a portrait of herself painted in Germany. Her vision contributed significantly to the mansion's unique and eclectic elegance.

James Sutton's life in Breezedale was short-lived, as he passed away in 1870, just a year or two after the house was completed. Sarah Sutton outlived her husband by nearly three decades, witnessing the estate's transition into a new era.

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The Elkin Years: A Transformation

In 1899, John Elkin (1860-1915) and his family moved into Breezedale. Elkin, born in West Mahoning Township, Indiana County, and educated in Smicksburg, PA, and Ohio, graduated in 1880 and earned a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1884. Even before obtaining his law degree at twenty-four, he was elected to the Pennsylvania state legislature while still a student at Michigan. He quickly gained a reputation for integrity and intelligence.

The Elkins brought a youthful vision to their new home. They added wide Edwardian verandas on the east and north sides, replacing the original small porch at the main entrance. Other additions included a law library (which also served as a solarium) and the Turkish Room. The orchard and gardens were replaced with a more fashionable lawn.

Elkin's rise in state government was facilitated by Senator Matthew Stanley Quay. Elkin's popular appeal ensured his political future. However, Quay later supported Judge Samuel Pennypacker instead. Despite Quay's suspected activities, Elkin's support was so overwhelming that few acknowledged a serious threat from Pennypacker. The "Great Elkin Army," including the Elkin Sink or Swim Club, prepared for the June convention in Harrisburg, with Elkin clubs from around the state assembling in the capital.

Despite the political maneuvering, John Elkin maintained his integrity. After his term as attorney general ended in 1903, Elkin returned to Indiana to practice law. The following year, he was nominated to a seat on the state Supreme Court and was elected in November.

Breezedale, with its rich history and architectural significance, stands as a microcosm of late 19th- and early 20th-century upper-middle-class America.

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Paper Mill Playhouse: From Industry to Art

The Paper Mill Playhouse, located in Millburn, New Jersey, has a history rooted in industry before becoming a renowned theatrical institution.

The Thistle Paper Mill: An Industrial Beginning

In 1795, Samuel Campbell established The Thistle Paper Mill on the site of the current Paper Mill Playhouse. The factory produced various paper products, including binder board, wallpaper, tissue paper, newspaper, and books.

The Birth of a Theater: Carrington and Scudder's Vision

Frank Carrington, an actor and director from California, and Antoinette Scudder, an artist, playwright, and socialite from New Jersey, formed a partnership as members of the Short Hills Poetry Society/Newark Arts Club. Their collaboration blossomed when Frank starred in Antoinette's play at a small theatre in New York City.

Inspired by their involvement with the Newark Arts Club, Carrington and Scudder founded The Newark Arts Theater in 1929. By 1933, the theater's success led them to seek a permanent home. After exploring various locations, they discovered an ad for the defunct Diamond Paper Mill in Millburn.

In preparation for their new venture, Carrington and Scudder traveled to Europe to study theater design. Antoinette enlisted her cousin, Henry D. Scudder, an architect, to transform the old paper mill into a theater. The project took four years and $1.5 million, funded by Miss Scudder.

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The vision was to create a community theater where members could participate in all aspects of production. The renovated Paper Mill Playhouse presented concerts, dance recitals, and dramatic sketches. An art gallery featuring Antoinette Scudder's paintings, and later works from local and national artists, was located upstairs.

Early Years and Growth: The New Jersey Theatre Festival

In 1939, Frank Carrington launched The First New Jersey Theatre Festival. The following year, Paper Mill Playhouse became a permanent repertory theater, experimenting with year-round productions. Carrington secured sponsorships from prominent figures like Eleanor Roosevelt, George Abbott, Joan Crawford, and others.

Carrington also established a theater school for young students. Modern dance pioneer Charles Weidman joined the faculty and served as resident choreographer for many productions. During its initial seasons, Paper Mill primarily presented straight plays until the 1940 season, when it introduced Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, such as H.M.S. Pinafore.

The Rise of Operettas and Expanding Popularity

Throughout the 1940s, Paper Mill Playhouse gained recognition for its operetta productions. Scudder's connections with the local press and Carrington's network in the art world helped attract prominent stars and expand the theater's visibility. Operating as a repertory company, Paper Mill featured the same performers in different roles.

The popularity of Paper Mill's operettas led the local railroad to create "The Paper Miller," a special train line that coordinated with the theater's schedule, addressing travel limitations during the war years.

Evolution and Challenges

By the early 1950s, Paper Mill began incorporating more musicals into its repertoire. In 1956, Carrington and Scudder collaborated with John H. Bosshart of the New Jersey Symphony to produce the state's first Summer Music Festival. Angelo Del Rossi was hired as Paper Mill's casting director in 1964, later becoming Associate Producer.

In 1971, the New Jersey Ballet began its residency at Paper Mill, staging annual productions of The Nutcracker. On June 20, 1972, Governor William Cahill designated Paper Mill Playhouse as the State Theatre of New Jersey. Following Frank Carrington's death in 1975, the theater continued to attract star power, with performances by Bernadette Peters, Mickey Rooney, and Helen Gallagher.

A Devastating Fire and Rebirth

On January 14, 1980, a catastrophic fire devastated Paper Mill Playhouse. During reconstruction, the theater upgraded its technology, expanded the stage and seating, and improved accessibility. Paper Mill Playhouse reopened on October 30, 1982, with a production of Robert and Elizabeth and a gala celebration.

The National Endowment for the Arts recognized Paper Mill for its production of Candide in 1986, ranking it second in the nation for theater and opera excellence, after the Metropolitan Opera. The theater's production of Show Boat was televised on PBS's Great Performances in 1989.

The Musical Theatre Project and the 1990s

From 1985 to 1991, Paper Mill established The Musical Theatre Project, a developmental program for new theatrical works. The 1990s saw a focus on high-quality revivals of Broadway musicals, as well as a return to operettas and literary adaptations.

The Rising Star Awards were created to encourage excellence in New Jersey's high school musicals. The Summer Musical Theater Conservatory was established, and the annual New Voices concert debuted. Notable performers such as Kristin Chenoweth, Rob Marshall, Anne Hathaway, and Laura Benanti gained recognition through Paper Mill's programs.

The 21st Century: Challenges and Triumphs

In 2003, Michael Gennaro became Paper Mill's President and CEO. A financial crisis in 2007 led to a "Save the Theater" campaign, which successfully raised over one million dollars in four weeks. In 2008, Millburn Township purchased Paper Mill Playhouse's site for nine million dollars, marking a significant level of municipal support for an arts organization.

Mark S. Hoebee was promoted to Producing Artistic Director in 2008, and Todd Schmidt joined as Managing Director in 2010. In 2011, Paper Mill partnered with Disney Theatrical Productions for the world premiere of Newsies, which later opened on Broadway. The theater continued to produce world-premiere productions, including Honeymoon in Vegas, A Bronx Tale, and The Bandstand, which also transferred to Broadway.

Adapting to a Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Paper Mill adapted to an all-digital season in 2020-2021.

Papermill Plaza

Papermill Plaza, located at the intersection of Papermill Road and Kingston Pike in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a retail location anchored by Whole Foods Market, REI, and Ulta Beauty.

Notable Alumni of Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse has nurtured the talents of numerous performers who have achieved success on Broadway, in film, and on television. Some notable alumni include:

Anne Hathaway: Academy Award and Golden Globe winner for Les Misérables.
Laura Benanti: Tony Award winner for Gypsy.
Ali Stroker: Broadway revival Spring Awakening (Deaf West).
Julia Knitel: National Tour of Beautiful: the Carole King Musical.
Jelani Remy: Broadway, National, Australian and European Tours & Las Vegas Company of Disney’s The Lion King.
Kathryn Allison: Broadway’s Disney’s Aladdin.
James Ignacio: Broadway’s The King and I.
Julia Udine: Broadway, National Tour of 25th Anniversary Phantom of the Opera.
Adam Bashian: Broadway’s In Transit.
Tori Murray: Off-Broadway’s Ruthless.
Elizabeth Egan Gillies: Star of FX TV series “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll”.
Frank Dolce: Broadway’s Billy Elliot.
Daniel Marconi: Broadway’s Mary Poppins.
Kelsey Kurz: Broadway’s The Merchant of Venice.
Lael Van Keuren: Broadway & National Tour Sister Act.
Leah Greenhaus: Broadway’s Shrek The Musical.
Antonio D’Amato: Broadway’s Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Ben Liebert: Broadway & National Tour of Wicked.
Trevor Braun: Broadway’s Billy Elliot, The Little Mermaid, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Renee Marino: 2014 “Jersey Boys” film directed by Clint Eastwood.
Matt DiCarlo: Broadway’s The Color Purple, Rock of Ages - Production Stage Manager.
Morgan Weed: Broadway’s American Psycho.
Zachary Infante: Brooklyn Academy of Music’s A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Julie Taymor.
Natalie Weiss: Broadway’s Everyday Rapture.
Daniel Belnavis: National Tour of Hamilton.
Alyssa McAnany: National Tour of Love Never Dies.
Chloe Garcia: National Tour of School of Rock.
Matthew Lowy: National Tour of 42nd Street (Musical Director).
Morgan Keene: National Tour of Disney’s Newsies.
Peter Surace: National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Tara Tagliaferro: National Tours Sister Act Musical, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Colton Maurer: National Tour and Paper Mill’s A Christmas Story.
Andrew Plinio: National Tour of Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
Vincent DiPeri: National Tour of Dr.
Ben Jacoby: National Tour of 25th Anniversary Phantom of the Opera.
Jose Solivan: National Tour of Susan Stroman’s Oklahoma!
Emily Sheppard: National Tour of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Barry Cavanaugh: National Tour of Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby.
Taylor Leigh Bera: Paper Mill’s production and the National Tour of Little House on the Prairie, The Musical.
Erik Ransom: Off Broadway’s My Big Gay Italian Wedding.
Ryan Malyar: National Tour ImaginOcean, New York City Center Encores’ No, No, Nanette.
Adena Ershow: Paper Mill’s Mary Poppins.
Corrine Munsch: Paper Mill’s Mary Poppins.
Paul Kopfl: Paper Mill’s The Chosen.
- Jessica Bear: Paper Mill’s Kiss Me Kate (Lois Lane u/s).
Morgan Kirner: Paper Mill’s Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Ariel Understudy).
Samantha Kelleher: Paper Mill’s White Christmas.
Amanda Harris: Paper Mill’s The Sound of Music.
Maya Fortgang: Paper Mill’s The Sound of Music.
Sean McManus: Paper Mill’s The Sound of Music.
Jonathan Charette: Paper Mill’s The Sound of Music.
Anna McCarthy: Paper Mill’s The Sound of Music and Elf The Musical.

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