Null Pointer Exception

I have a report that runs on our development server, but not our staging server. The report uses a query that returns the correct record set with complete data and uses three parameters which can also be verified as available and correct. While it runs on the dev server, the browser indicates an error occurred, but not what and the report looks correct and complete. On the stage server, the report generates a null pointer exception error and fails to run at all.

Since all the data intended for the report is available and correct, I can't fathom why it would generate a java null pointer exception error. Can anyone suggest what would trigger such an error in CFREPORT when things seem to be complete and why it would differ from one server to another?

Here is the code for generating the report:
<cfreport template="ordersRpt6.cfr" format="PDF" query="qGetUserOrdersRpt" encryption="none" overwrite="Yes">
<cfreportparam name="startMonthDate" value="#request.startMonthDate#">
<cfreportparam name="toMonthDate" value="#request.toMonthDate#">
<cfreportparam name="period" value="#request.period#">
</cfreport>

I have other reports are similar and run okay. So I am at a loss as to what is missing for this one. Thanks for any help.