Full Cast Set for Paper Mill’s Carnival

Charles Pollock and Jennifer Allen have joined the cast of the Paper Mill Playhouse production of the 1961 musical Carnival, which is set to run March 8-April 19. Directed by Erica Schmidt and choreographed by Peter Pucci, the show will open officially on March 12.

Pollock, who has starred Off-Broadway in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, will play Paul; he replaces the previously announced Michael Hayden, who withdrew to star in the Broadway production of Festen. Allen, who will play Rosalie, appeared on Broadway as Adelaide in Guys and Dolls and was recently seen Off-Broadway in Almost Heaven.

Carnival‘s other leads are Elena Shaddow (Lili), Paul Schoeffler (Marco the Magnificent), Eric Michael Gillett (Jacquot), and Nick Wyman (Schlagel). The show’s ensemble includes Jason Babinsky, Alexander Cassens, Albert Christmas, Michael Fielder, Hector Flores, David Garry, Vincent German, Nikka Lanzarone, Richard Pruitt, Benji Randall, Julia Sann, Mam Smith, and Mindy Wallace. The design team consists of Christopher Barreca (sets), Michelle R. Phillips (costumes), Donald Holder (lighting), Randy Hansen (sound), Jason Hayes (hair, wigs, and make-up), and Jesse Mooney Bullock (puppets). Tom Helm is the show’s musical director.

Based on the 1953 film Lili, the show has a book by Michael Stewart and a score by Bob Merrill. It tells the story of a lonely orphan who wishes to join the glamorous world of the carnival. The original Broadway production ran for more than 700 performances and received seven Tony Award nominations, winning two (including one for star Anna Maria Alberghetti). In 2002, Carnival was presented as part of the City Center Encores! series with Anne Hathaway, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Douglas Sills, and Debbie Gravitte in the leads.