Wheelchair-Bound Actress Ali Stroker Stars In "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"

New Jersey native Ali Stroker warmed the hearts of our entire studio this morning with her courageous story and million-watt smile. She is playing the lead role of Olive in Paper Mill Playhouse's production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"... and she is in a wheelchair.

Ms. Stroker says she, "may be the first actress in American Musical Theatre to have a leading role in a professional musical." She is a graduate of Paper Mill Playhouse's Summer Musical Theatre Conservatory, and has long been a champion for the Christopher Reeve Foundation. "As a kid growing up in New Jersey, it has been my life long goal to perform at Paper Mill Playhouse," said Ali Stroker. "Now my dream has come true."

Paper Mill Playhouse's production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" runs through February 13th with the following performance schedule: Wednesdays at 7:30pm, Thursdays at 1:30pm & 7:30pm, Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 1:30pm & 8:00pm and Sundays at 1:30pm & 7:00pm. Single tickets are now on sale and range in price from $25 - $2. Tickets may be purchased by calling (973) 376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office on Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.papermill.org.