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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, March 24, 2025
Paper Mill Playhouse
Announces 2025-2026 Season
Five Musicals Set for
Tony Award-Recognized Theater
MILLBURN, NJ – Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee, Producing Artistic Director; Michael Stotts, Executive Director), recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, is thrilled to announce the five musicals to be presented during the theater’s upcoming 2025-2026 season, marking Paper Mill’s 87^th season of world-class theater in Millburn, New Jersey – Bull Durham, Disney’s Frozen, Come From Away, 1776, and West Side Story.
“We believe in the transformative power of theater to bring people together. This season’s productions illuminate stories of resilience, love, and unity—reminding us that we are always stronger when we join together as a community,” said Mark S. Hoebee. “As The Great Gatsby represents Paper Mill both on Broadway and in London’s West End, we are proud to continue fostering theatrical excellence here in Millburn, proving once again that storytelling knows no bounds.”
“With Broadway ticket prices reaching new heights, Paper Mill Playhouse offers an unbeatable value—Broadway-quality productions at less than half the price,” said Michael Stotts. “Our audiences can enjoy world-class theater without the hassle of congestion pricing or steep parking fees. Subscribers save even more by guaranteeing the best seats at the lowest prices while enjoying a host of other benefits. At Paper Mill, you don’t have to sacrifice quality for affordability—you get both.”
Wednesday-Saturday evening performances begin at 7:30pm, with Sunday evening performances at 7:00pm and matinees on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 1:30pm. Disney’s Frozen will offer family-friendly curtain times at 7:00pm for evening performances beginning November 29.
Subscriptions may be purchased online at http://www.PaperMill.org, by calling (973) 376-4343, or at the Millburn box office. Tickets to individual shows will go on sale beginning August 4, 2025.
ABOUT PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE’S 2025-2026 SEASON
*New Musical*
Bull Durham
Thursday, October 2 – Sunday, November 2, 2025
Book by Ron Shelton
Music & Lyrics by Susan Werner
Based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture written by Ron Shelton
Choreographed by Joshua Bergasse
Directed by Marc Bruni
Bull Durham brings the classic 1988 film to the stage. Veteran catcher “Crash” Davis is tasked with mentoring hotshot rookie pitcher “Nuke” LaLoosh, while baseball muse Annie must choose her seasonal protégé. Directed by Marc Bruni (The Great Gatsby) and adapted by its original screenwriter/director, Ron Shelton, with music and lyrics by Susan Werner, this pitch-perfect musical delivers a winning blend of comedy, drama, and romance as passion, ambition, and America’s favorite pastime collide.
The creative team travels to Paper Mill from last year’s home run production in North Carolina where it was hailed as “fun, original, and filled with unforgettable songs and characters… a smash hit” by the Triangle Arts Review.
Disney’s
Frozen
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 – Sunday, January 4, 2026
Music & Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
Book by Jennifer Lee
Based on the Disney film written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Chris Buck & Jennifer Lee
Disney’s Frozen transforms the magic of the beloved animated film to the stage in an enchanting adventure. When sisters Elsa and Anna are torn apart by a mysterious secret power, they each set out on their own journey of courage, self-acceptance, and a discovery of love in all its forms. With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and book by Jennifer Lee, this timeless tale will melt hearts of all ages.
Come From Away
Wednesday, February 4 – Sunday, March 1, 2026
Book, Music & Lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein
Directed by Richard J. Hinds
On September 11, 2001, the world stopped. On September 12, a small Newfoundland town started bringing people together. Come From Away tells the true story of 7,000 stranded airplane passengers welcomed by a community that turned fear into friendship and strangers into family. Filled with heart, humor, and a spirited score, this Tony-winning musical with book, music, and lyrics by David Hein and Irene Sankoff is “a celebration of the best of humankind” (The Daily Beast).
1776
Wednesday, April 1 – Sunday, April 26, 2026
Music & Lyrics by Sherman Edwards
Book by Peter Stone
Based on a concept by Sherman Edwards
Directed by Mark S. Hoebee
History comes to life in 1776, the Tony-winning musical that brings the story behind the creation of the Declaration of Independence to the stage with witty satire, compelling drama, and a thrilling score. With music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone, 1776 follows John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and their fellow delegates as they navigate fiery debates, political tensions, and personal conflicts in their struggle to unite thirteen colonies. Celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary with us!
West Side Story
Thursday, May 28 – Sunday, June 28, 2026
Book by Arthur Laurents
Music by Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Original Choreography by Jerome Robbins
Directed by Mark S. Hoebee
An enduring masterpiece, West Side Story reimagines Romeo and Juliet in 1950s New York, where young lovers Tony and Maria dare to dream of a future together as rival gangs the Jets and the Sharks clash for control of the streets. With music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by Arthur Laurents, this unforgettable classic captures the thrilling passion of first love and the heartbreak of a world divided.
ABOUT PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE
PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE, recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award, is a nationally renowned not-for-profit theater under the direction of Mark S. Hoebee (Producing Artistic Director) and Michael Stotts (Executive Director). A beloved New Jersey arts institution since 1938, Paper Mill creates and produces groundbreaking new musicals and reimagined classics. Several productions have gone on to Broadway and launched national tours, including The Great Gatsby, Disney’s Newsies, Bandstand, Honeymoon in Vegas, A Bronx Tale, and Les Misérables (25^th Anniversary production). The theater is also the home to an award-winning center for musical theater education and artist training, with outreach programs that impact thousands of students each year. As one of the nation’s premier musical theaters, Paper Mill fosters a creative environment to advance the art form, educate students, develop future theater lovers, nurture inclusion, and provide access for all. Paper Mill Playhouse programs are made possible, in part, by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Paper Mill Playhouse is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the Council of Stock Theatres, and the New Jersey Theatre Alliance.
Paper Mill’s current season of shows continues with the world premiere musical Take the Lead (March 29-April 27), a thrilling mash-up of ballroom dance and hip hop based on the true story of Pierre Dulaine’s experience teaching at a public school in the Bronx; and Disney’s The Little Mermaid (May 29-June 29), based on one of the world’s most beloved stories and the enchanting Disney animated film.
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