Philip Wm. McKinley Biography

returns to Paper Mill, where he directed the World Premiere of Rhythm Ranch. He recently conceived/directed/choreographed the 128th Edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s The Greatest Show on Earth at Madison Square Garden. He also directed the wonderfully zany Off-Broadway musical Zombie Prom and the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Eighth Annual Easter Bonnet Competition at the Minskoff Theatre. Regional directing/ choreographing credits: Phantom (Kansas City Drama Desk and People’s Choice Award for Best Director), The Wizard of Oz starring Phyllis Diller, Sayonara, Peter Pan starring B.D. Wong and David Ogden Stiers, and A Little Night Music starring Betty Buckley. As an international director, his production of Phantom was hailed as "the most successful tour in Germany." In Japan, he directed and choreographed Hair and the World Premiere of William Luce’s five-character drama Chanel. As a performer, Paper Mill audiences may remember Phil as the comic Bennie-Bennie in The Desert Song, which he also performed with The New York City Opera. This winter he will conceive/direct/choreograph the 129th Edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, elephants, clowns, and all. "Ain’t Showbiz great!"