My review has nothing to do with the quality of the performances but rather the service (or lack thereof) that I encountered. One month prior to Covid (1/2020) I won a raffle entitling me to 2 tickets to a show in mid-April. Since, of course, the theater was closed, I called the box office a while later and asked about seeing a show in the future - and as I recall the discussion there didn't seem to be an issue regarding this. Today I called to see if they would honor my tickets to see a different show. It is 3 hears later, but Covid interrupted the theater's performances for most of that time. I was told that their policy was not to honor tickets that were three years old. First of all, I couldn't find wording in this regard on their website, but more to the point, I would expect them to be more considerate of the circumstances and as a show of good customer relations allow me to see a show on 6/17. I have been to numerous shows there but I will never frequent that establishment again. They will lose all my future business while giving me tickets would have cost them nothing (assuming the theater was not 100% booked). Bad business and worse customer relations. read more

What's not to love about my hometown theater? (And springboard for hometown gal Anne Hathaway!) Great sight lines, friendly staff, not too expensive. Parking can be dodgy, but you'll be ok if you dine downtown and walk off dinner up and down the hill to the theater. Productions are well staged, and the ambiance is terrific! read more

What a beautiful setting! The outside ambiance refreshed our souls. We attended a summer cabaret and thoroughly enjoyed the performance. However, I would like to offer a few tips to the leadership of the playhouse for improvement. 1. Please train the wait staff. They were dressed hapharrazedly. We didn't know who worked at the place and who were patrons. Uniforms might be a good idea. Also, we had to hunt down our wait person. I felt sorry for them. They were running helter-skelter. The manager needs to address this. Professionalism would go a long way. Consultants are available. 2. Hire a culinary consultant. The food is mediocre at best. Please work on upscaling the menu and hire higher quality chefs. I would advise patrons to stick with the drinks and simply enjoy the shows. 3. Wine. The wine list was ok. Actually, it was better than expected. We ordered two bottles. Affordable. Maybe offer more upscale options, as well. 4. Politics. A BLM banner--really?! What a downer. I don't care about your politics. Keep it to yourselves. I want to enjoy my evening without being assaulted. Take it down. Also, the PSA was the "our first priority is your safety so wear masks in our building to use the bathroom." Well, I would hope that an arts venue would hold its first priory as performing arts. So, overall a good evening out on the town. I really hope Paper Mill Playhouse can up their game! There is so much potential. Please, don't waste the opportunity. read more

Really great quality theater out of the Paper Mill! They have actors that have been broadway stars, as well as other notables. Recently I saw Harry Conic Jr. perform his play, 'The Sting' there. I also love that there are so many restaurants within walking distance of the theater. It makes it really easy to grab a bite before the show. If you come straight to the theater, there is a concession stand where they sell snacks, ice cream, and drinks. The restrooms are also very clean - but get SO packed during intermission. read more

See all

We had planned to go see a performance of "Hercules" but we came down with Covid in our house. I am from Massachusetts and planned to travel to NJ, especially to see a friend in the show. Beware that this is no contingency for a ticket refund, even in the case of Covid. I wasn't able to reschedule our visit before the show closed. I understand that the refund policy is very clearly spelled out but Covid makes the world a different place and exceptions should be put in place for this. Theoretically, it seems like they would rather have someone attend the performance with Covid than offer a refund. I opted for an account credit but who knows when I will be in Milburn NJ to see a show. I am very disappointed on so many levels. read more

great theater and great downtown so close. my boyfriend and i say the jersey boys. it was amazing

One of the best regional theatres in the country, how fortunate we are to have it in our little garden state! Wonderful performances of spectacular quality! read more

Paper Mill Playhouse is very nice place for visiting. I was truly amazed by performances. The actor played very well, decoration's always beautiful!!! The atmosphere is always pleasant!!! read more

Super safe and covid precautions in place. Performance was great ! Loved the show and venue was very clean and organized

Absolutely the best place to see a Broadway-style play outside of NYC. Parking is $10 and a short walk to the playhouse. Inside you'll encounter a bar, snack bar and a ticket window. Once inside, the playhouse is small enough that all seats are great - lighting, music and acting is on par with a NYC show. Prices are reasonable and shows are great. Please note this place attracts an older crowd, with plenty of walkers and wheelchairs (hey, we'll all be there one day) and many patrons purchase season tickets so know each other and the folks sitting around them. Don't be worried, you'll feel right at home and love the show you go to see. Great date spot or night out. If you buy the reusable cup at the bar you can bring your cocktail into the show and get a discount on your next drink. read more

I LOVE this theater. Been twice in a month. Once for My Very Own British Invasion (which I enjoyed tremendously---far more than I expected, because of the truly outstanding cast, sets, and choreography). But I just love the whole place. Broadway theaters need to get trained by the folks at Paper Mill. They are *unbelievably* nice, doing everything in their power to accommodate you. Also the wine is cheap. 10 bucks for a very large pour in small sippy cup. I get it, it's New Jersey (but a fancy Jersey town) and it's a 3-5 min walk from the train stop. NJT is a horrible transit system but it's not such a bad ride from Penn Station. I saw Benny and Joon last night. Not perfect, but Bryce Pinkham is a genius and Hannah Elless delivers a star turn as Joon. Two of principals badly miscast (Andrew Kober should play Benny). But it's a beautiful, charming (and large) theater and I love everything about it. Expensive if you're not a subscriber. I'm a Show-Score member so paid only 30. read more

My review is not about the theater itself. They ah e always presented Broadway quality productions. But tonight we left the show at intermission. RENT was playing and we were excited to go. It's bad poetry out to bad music. The funny scenes weren't funny and the audience reacted as such, except for a cheering section on the back right side of the room. Must be family and friends. A couple of decent scenes but the group dancers were amateurish, but the main issue was it's just not a good play. The play would be zero stars but the theater 5, so I gave 3 stars. read more

Very nice theater for regional! Big and seating is pretty spacious and what was especially nice is the stadium seating that made is easier to see for my daughter who usually complains she can't see over people's heads! The ushers were friendly and helpful. I was a little surprised we had to pay $10 cash for parking (had not brought a lot of cash with me) but now that I know that's the deal, I'll make sure to bring! read more

Paper Mill Playhouse - Music Venues Near Me - Millburn, New Jersey

The place is a gem. They're home to copious world premieres that you can see just a stone's throw away from NYC. And even their productions of classics are worth seeing for the high-caliber Broadway talent they attract. Plus the surrounding town of Millburn is too cute for words. Arrive early to explore the grounds, have a bite to eat, and peruse the historic production photos that line their walls. They also get bonus points for having some of the most friendly ushers around - and for always having creative and clever merch! read more

See all

Loved, loved, loved my experience at the Papermill Playhouse. I went with my family to see Newsies, the new Disney musical, in Fall of 2011. It was a perfect day...we were able to walk around outside the theater for awhile, and noticed there was a really nice restaurant in a Carriage House right there. We made a mental note for our next trip! This theater is gorgeous, with spacious seating, a lovely lobby, clean and ample bathrooms, and its very accessible to NYC. I took the train out and was able to walk over to the theater from the Millburn Station (it only took 10 minutes). The show was incredibly professional, and I was just overall very impressed. read more

I heard about "1776" playing at the Paper Mill Playhouse on a positive reviews and found myself seeking time to go. The playhouse is located in a staid, rustic part of Millburn, NJ. Recently, the state took over the facility to prevent its demise; so, by buying tickets, this was a way to support it. Only 45 minutes from Penn Station, I took NJ transit directly to Millburn and found out quickly, Paper Mill is just a ten minute walk. Luckily as well, I purchased the tickets for about 26.50 a piece. I had about two hours to kill afterwords to mill about Millburn (excuse the pun). The facility is laid out very deceivingly. The landmark structure houses the administration, box office and the refreshment bar. Looking closer is the theater itself embedded behind and seats 1200. There's a picturesque brook besides the theater for which you can view besides the row side seating. Parking is very plentiful and accommodates buses and RV's. My seats were in the mezzanine, unobstructive and satisfactory. The production was wonderful and, in spite of the modest orchestra, they were ably capable. I would recommend coming again for another production. read more

Paper Mill Playhouse - Paper Mill Playhouse Front facade - Music Venues Near Me - Millburn, New Jersey

Attended the Color Purple om it's opening matinee. Wow! The show was fabulous! The cart and ensemble were excellent especially The UNDERSTUDY for Celie and the actress who played Sophia! Excellent! I hope more and more people see it. There were lots of empty seats sadly. And I wish folks had been a little more enthusiastic during the performance-- it was a high energy show and I bet the performers would have appreciated a little energy back from the audience. It was definitely a suburban NJ audience and not the more diverse crowds one would come to expect from theatre in NYC. And the PMP is a beautiful venue. The new seats are comdortable and the sound and acoustics were amazing. The women's bathroom had an attendant with a tip jar. She was lovely. The bathroom was clean. The theater sets along a Creek with a outdoor paved terrace with tables and eats and drinks. It was quite festive and lovely. I would go there again. There is loads of parking for the venue which is always important and the entire town seems to project pride in the streets when the theater patrons are mulling about the town. The parking attendants were kind and friendly. The police helped with managing traffic which can swell and move slowly down two-lane road whee the theatre is located. I look forward to sampling their eats and drinks next time. The only issue I had with the experience was that I believe the PMP could have better highlighted the fact that the original author of THE COLOR PURPLE is Alice Walker, who is a national treasure and on whose work this playwright developed her play. I really feel like Alice Walker's name could have been more prominently displayed in the playbill. But I am sure she was cited in accordance with industry standards. The PMP STAFF impress me as real professionals. Happy 80th Anniversary! You make Jersey and regional theatre proud! read more

This is a great venue to visit to see theater before it makes it to the big time. This place is often a testing site for shows which are intended for Broadway. The performances are top notch and you are unlikely to be disappointed. read more

What a great theater! It's located in the quaint town of Milburn, NJ, not too far from New York. It's a nice theater that seats about 1200. The tickets are reasonably priced since you can get a good view from all the seats in the orch level starting as low as $25. And the show was phenomenal! Plus, everyone there was so nice- from the bar tenders, the workers, and even the people living there! If you live nearby and love the arts, visit the Papermill Playhouse and see one of their shows! They're great! Note: The show I went to didn't start on time (started about 7 minutes after) which is good if you always run late :) read more

Paper Mill Playhouse - Papermill Playhouse - Music Venues Near Me - Millburn, New Jersey

See all

I went to see the production of Annie with my boyfriends family and what an absolute delight. I was unsure what to expect from an unfamiliar place in New Jersey. The actual theater is very nice and decent size. The ticket prices for a matinee were around $100, but for the quality of show- worth every penny. Many of the actors have been on broadway and it showed. The songs and dances were basically flawless. Scenery was smooth and very professional and high quality. The concessions were reasonable, but the stuffed dog and other "gifts" were outrageous ($30 for a stuffed animal). The parking was a bit of a mess just piling in way too many cars and you're hoping you don't get stuck in there for 30 mins waiting to pull out after the show. Still beats paying for travel to New York. All in all the whole family enjoyed the show, and I would certainly return for another production. read more

See all

I Iike the Paper Mill mainly because I don't like going into Manhattan on a Saturday night and it's close and convenient and lots of good places to eat close by, Shows are usually good enough and we saw Half Time. It was not a bad show but I don't think it's Broadway quality. We sat in the orchestra way in the back behind 2 fidgety adults who continually squirmed like children. After intermission, we found 2 empty seats also way in the back but no other issues. Now, we both thought that the first set was meh and the second set much better. But, I don't think it was the seating issues, I think it was the play. I find the seats in the theater are wider and have more legroom than the average Broadway theater which is a big deal for me. There are paid parking lots close by but we prefer to park on the street near one of the restaurants we'll eat in and walk a few blocks. It also makes getting out much easier if it's nice weather which it was. Lots of people leaving the theater at the same time getting into cars while others are walking to their cars on a small narrow street always causes congestion. read more

Amazing comfortable theatre, Broadway quality shows, and super close to the train if you're coming from the city. Really cute downtown area too with plenty of places to eat before the show. Amazing experience! read more

Came here to see Ever After: The Musical although I don't think the music was spectacular enough to change the movie version into a musical, but it was decent. I think the actors were good but the songs didn't have a lot of range for anyone to show off much. On the one hand, it's nice to have a good theatre outside Manhattan for reasonably priced tickets. On the other, you are going to get a less "epic" experience. The theatre itself looks great but was built too big for considerations for anything else. The parking lot is so tiny it's a joke, so we ended up parking half a mile away in a free lot. The sitting area outside was so packed it was hard to make my way through the crowd to get to the box office, and at intermission I was accidentally in the bathroom line instead of refreshments because it was so long it bent back on itself. Seems like it would be nice if there was a bigger lobby area so I didn't feel so claustrophobic and probably could use more bathrooms. Looking at their upcoming schedule, I saw at least one show I'd like to see, so I'll be back, but if I realize I'm not in NYC, but I'm also getting a reasonably enjoyable afternoon out of it. read more

Paper Mill Playhouse - Waiting for Ever After to start. - Music Venues Near Me - Millburn, New Jersey

"Paper Mill Refuses Subscription to One of It's Oldest Patrons & Contributors ! ! !" The callus disrespect of the Paper Mill to sell a set of subscription seats out from under a loyal couple who has supported The Playhouse as patrons & contributors since the 1960's is beyond belief. Though The Theater cites an April "expiration" on subscription renewal as the reason for it's mistreatment of the couple, the mystical date does not appear anywhere on either it's preliminary offering for the season or on it's website. The utter disregard of Ticketing Staff Ethan Ubell and Samone Rowe to correct The Theater's negligence concerning this matter is a statement as to how disconnected The Paper Mill has become with the people who have supported them for over a half a century. I doubt there is anyone on it's Staff, Board of Directors or many in the audience who have had a relationship with The Playhouse and supported it for such a lengthy period of time. Therefore, I implore those interested to contact Managing Director Todd Schmidt, Managing Associate Christopher Slavik or Ticketing Manager Ethan Ubell and voice your opinion about the ill treatment of some of it's oldest patrons. In addition, having contributed thousands over the years, I will never contribute another dime or attend a performance at an establishment that has proven a total disregard for it's benefactors who have sustained and promoted The Theater for over 50 years, and suggest you do the same. YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN ANY MORE PAPER MILL ! ! ! read more

Really great quality theater out of the Paper Mill! They have actors that have been broadway stars, as well as other notables. Recently I saw Harry Conic Jr. perform his play, 'The Sting' there. read more

Had a good time seeing Junie B. Jones play with the kids today (Saturday), especially on such a nice day. Good to get there at least 20-30min before start to get a parking spot. They have 4 lots; all of which are within walking distance of the playhouse. Today we paid $5, but the sign says $9 for weekends. The auditorium is two levels. We sat in row V towards the right and still were able to see the stage. They have boosters for the kids, which was great since my kids were short and the people in front were tall. It's funny that at the start, the announcer says no food or drink in the seating area and yet ushers let patrons in with drinks in hand. The cast of the play had 6 actors where 5 rotated through different characters. Overall it was quite entertaining for the kids and myself. There wasn't too much lag between scene changes and the lighting and sound were good and clear. The show was about an hour, which was a good length especially if you had kids that get antsy easily like my 3yo. read more

The best part of the Paper Mill is it often has tryouts for Broadway Bound musicals. Other times, it features revivals of comedies and musicals. The quality is always very good to excellent. Parking is not difficult and many restaurants are within walking distance. I wish they sold seats through TDF more often. read more

This playhouse is as good as it gets outside of NYC. The talent is terrific and the acoustics are good. Seats are comfortable. We saw "Unmasked," the Andrew Lloyd Weber revue created especially for the PPH and it didn't disappoint. The only downside, and this is the same at any theater, is the ladies room which always has a humongous line at intermission. We can't wait to see the next production. read more

Millburn' s renowned theater is an "under the radar" delight for Tri-State theater goers. We saw a fantastic musical comedy adaptation of the iconic "Honeymooners"sitcom that originally starred Jackie Gleason as Ralph and Art Carney as Norton. The show is upbeat And filled with humor nostalgia music and a charming love story .Highly recommended . Limited run! Theater offers excellent non obstructed seating and highly professional staging and sets. Parking conveniently located near to theater as well as great places to eat in walking distance. Worth the ride! Kudos to the fabulous cast and to Bill Nuss and Dusty Kay for a great script read more

Paper Mill Playhouse exceeded my expectations. We saw The Sting. Harry Connick Jr. Was fantastic as was the rest of the cast. We absolutely loved our experience. The staff was great from the parking attendants to the ushers. Bottled water was only 2 dollars. It was such a great experience and wonderful to see a musical with my favorite Harry Connick Jr. So close to home! read more

Paper Mill Playhouse - Music Venues Near Me - Millburn, New Jersey

Great place, been subscribers for years now. In some cases, it's neat to see shows that are on their way to Broadway. Interesting 'lobby' upstairs with info about the history of the building and shows that have been there. FYI - the first lot to the right of the theater is privately owned. The other lots likely benefit the Papermill. They or the town owns those other lots if you want your parking fee to go more to the theater. Or park cheaper / free in the lots on the other side of the train tracks or by the library. read more

Awesome theater!!! We saw The Wanderer and it was AMAZING!!! Cast was brilliant, I'm sure this show will be Broadway bound. Absolutely loved it read more

With many productions that may have once graced the stages of Broadway, the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn offers a good selection of shows that are open for a limited time. Just a little outside of busy Manhattan, I think this theater in Millburn is worth the trip for your favorite productions. Over the years my family and I have seen a handful of their productions with our most recent trip being after Thanksgiving to see their version of Oliver. We had really good seats with good views of the stage. The audio here was amazing as we could hear each song, crystal clear. The seats were packed and it was absolutely a full show, but we all sat very comfortably without feeling cramped... even with all our winter coats. The shows are more intimate here than on Broadway and I think it is absolutely worth every dime. The sets are always beautiful, and the cast, always super talented! It gets crowded during intermission but the theater food prices are to my recollection, quite reasonable. Get here earlier so you can find a good parking spot. What's great is that there are so many little restaurants for you to go to if you want to grab some dinner before or after your show! I will be back again, as I am anticipating a few of the the theater's upcoming shows... one of which is a production of South Pacific! read more

We went to see The Other Josh Cohen which happened to be our first time ever at the theatre. We parked in a parking garage across from the Millburn Diner and had a 5 minute walk to the theatre. That worked out well because the lots close to the theatre were mobbed and it took forever to leave. The parking lot where we parked was free after 6:00 pm. Their lot you will have to pay. We were very impressed with the overall appearance of the theatre. Each seat has a great view and all the employees were friendly and helpful. Although it was crowded, it was organized. The musical itself was average at best. All of us agreed the $106 ticket price was steep for this show. We knew the musical Grease was coming there this May through June and tickets ranged up to $90. Grease is also playing at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank in July and the max ticket was $29-$39. The Paper Mill is close to Broadway but shouldn't be close to Broadway prices. For the right show and right price, we will be back. read more

Have heard so many nice things about this place and they were all true. It was going to receive 4 stars, but the roomy, comfy seats earned it a 5 star. Every time I go to show on Broadway, I am horribly uncomfortable with no leg room. However, this was definitely not a problem here. The show we saw, Sound of Music, was wonderful. I am looking forward to visiting here going forward. read more

Sets, performers, shows - ALL TOP QUALITY. On par with broadway. The theater attracts many famous broadway performers. All seats have a great view, the theater has an intimate feeling. The surrounding town has many nice restaurants. The tickets are reasonable, and getting there is so much less of a hassle then getting into NYC. I really loved this theater. Get ticket for one of the musicals you will not regret it. read more

I have always heard great things about this place. I went last night for the first time to see Les Miserables. Show: I have seen Les Mis more times than I can count. I'm a hardcore fan....so was excited when I found out that it was coming to Paper Mill. But I have to say, I was VERY disappointed in this production. VERY far from Broadway quality. I don't want to be too harsh... the cast was all very talented compared to me, but this was the first time seeing the show where I was kinda hoping it would just end already. And I never feel that way watching Les Mis...just the opposite. The pacing of the show felt off, scenes felt rushed and lacking. The one notable exception was the actor who played Javert...he was top notch. Venue: I had rear Orch seats and felt very FAR away. I felt quite removed from the "energy" on the stage. The place felt very large and cold....not what I was expecting from a cozy venue in Milburn. Parking: $8 bucks and completely unorganized (in the back lot at least). Overall, maybe my expectations were too high, but I will not return. read more

I saw the bodyguard with my mom last night and it was amazing!!!! this was actually our first time there and we loved it! it's a beautiful theater and you can see everything even from upstairs. friendly staff and very clean. read more

Paper Mill Playhouse - Music Venues Near Me - Millburn, New Jersey

See all

This place doesn't disappoint! If you're looking for a Broadway type experience, but don't want to make the trip all the way to NYC, then this is definitely a great spot to try. It's a decent sized venue, and they recently renovated it so that's a plus. I saw the Color Purple and there were amazing performances by every actor/actress there. I previously went here to see The Body Guard and it was also an amazing performance. They also have a cute little restaurant located right next door, so you can grab a bite to east right before the show. It's a little pricey but great quality and accommodating wait staff! read more

We were here for a memorial service. It is wonderful venue with a local flair for comedy, music, dance and theater performances which is just two blocks from Downtown Millburn. It was an awesome adorable old house with brick-stones giving you a feel of being in the North. It is also a fun place for theater goers to dine or meet for networking events, meetings and parties; and a somber place for memorial services for fallen actors/actresses, historians, sign language interpreters. We were able to enjoy different casual dining establishments in Downtown Millburn before and after the show. Highly recommended for a private reception. read more