From what I understand, via numerous press statements and other articles, Papermill has raised about $200,000 as far, quite far from its goal of reaching $1.5 million by tomorrrow.
NJ lawmakers have proposed an emergency grant of about $400,000, but that would not come through till August.
A rally will take place outside the theater on Monday, regardless of whether the doors close tomorrow.
What's my take? Unless they find some funding super fast, the theater supposedly will close tomorrow and SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, which I was supposed to go to see next Sunday night for review, won't happen. Likewise, PIRATES! probably wouldn't happen either. However, I do think that the 2007-08 season will happen, albeit maybe in an abridged or modified form.
A lot of criticism is being levied against Papermill for supposedly having gone from classical musical theater shows (i.e. MY FAIR LADY, CAMELOT, CAROUSEL) to more unusual fare (i.e. HAROLD AND MAUDE, ROMANCE ROMANCE, SUMMER AND SMOKE). But it wasn't an artistic decision - it was purely economic, at least from how I see it. What's the difference between MY FAIR LADY and ROMANCE ROMANCE - a 30 person chorus and a 25 person orchestra. With dwindling subscriptions, Papermill attempted to create seasons that combined smaller shows (ROMANCE ROMANCE, GODSPELL) with larger ones (SEVEN BRIDES, PIRATES). Unfortunately, its subscribers smelled trouble, and the problems thereby worsened.
This is next year's season at Papermill, if it happens, which is said to be only of crowdpleasers: FRANKENSTEIN, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, THE MIRACLE WORKER, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, KISS ME KATE, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.
If I were them, I'd axe FRANKENSTEIN (a world premiere) and replace with something like YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN or SEUSSICAL or BYE BYE BIRDIE.