Paper Mill Playhouse Juniors Perform For Holidays

The Paper Mill Playhouse Theatre School Junior All-Stars performed at the Springfield YMCA Wednesday with a holiday-themed performance in front of several dozen local children and their families. 

Their 2009 program is called "North Pole Exposure." A curious group of young people make a visit to the North Pole wanting a first hand look at the intense year-round training of the famous characters that make the holidays happen. Along the way they meet comical but determined reindeer, very tired holiday elves, snowmen who only want a Hawaiian vacation and magical hip hop dancing toys including Jack in the Box. Witnessing all of this, the young visitors discover the actuality of the true spirit of Christmas, along with an appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Performing from Millburn-Short Hills were Samuel Dantowitz, Alexa Kerner and Carly Maitlin. Performing from Basking Ridge was Adina Triolo and from Springfield was Stephanie Ranieri. From Westfield were Jackie Napolitano, Victoria Napolitano and Emma Ohlig.

The Paper Mill Playhouse Juniors will be performing this program again Friday at the Children's Institute in Verona at 10:30 a.m.

The Paper Mill All-Stars have shared the gift of their talents with school children, seniors and special needs centers throughout the community for the past 20 years. And members of the troup go above and beyond "just" performing—one young All-Star student was so moved by the children in one special needs facility that over her Christmas vacation she initiated a fund raiser and raised $6,000.  She wanted to give other special needs children the opportunity to experience more live theatre.

Heading into the 2010 season, the group has several dates already planned and will be performing throughout the area at venues such as the Stepping Stones School for Special Needs,  the Livingston Library, the C.P. Center in Belleville, the Jardine Special Needs Academy in Cranford and the Green Hill senior facility in West Orange.