Paper Mill Playhouse seating question...

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 3/21/09 at 7:27pm

I've never been there, so can anyone tell me where is the best viewing, especially for something like 1776...?
Thanks :)

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 3/21/09 at 7:38pm

Any seat is great. I prefer mid-center orchestra, but the mezz is also good.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 3/21/09 at 8:33pm

Thanks, KChenowethfan.

[madbrian]

Posted: 3/21/09 at 8:44pm

The mezz is good, but be aware that it is probably a little further back than in many Broadway houses.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 3/21/09 at 8:50pm

Oh...thanks, then, madbrian, because that is where I was going to sit. I really want to be a little more up close to the stage.

[PlayhouseBeauty]

Posted: 3/21/09 at 9:11pm

I definately have to agree that the Front Mezz is farther back then a regular broadway house. I sent in the Front Mezz for Oaklahoma! and did not like sitting there at all. It was very hard to see for me atleast. I love sitting in the middle orchestra. Around row h is my favorite. Hope you enjoy 1776. I will be there on April 19th.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 3/21/09 at 11:25pm

Thanks, PlayhouseBeauty...I shall! There's no way I could not...have you seen the cast...?! It will be a treat to get to see performances, all in ONE show, of so many Broadway veterans!
Thanks, also, for the tip of row "H". I'll check it out

BTW, isn't April 19th "Press Night"...? That should be fun

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 3/22/09 at 12:03am

I was right orch for Ragtime and it was great. I sat on the left for Pirates and that was good too. Its a nice theater.
I'm going to 1776 also.
ENJOY!!

[zorak2]

Posted: 3/22/09 at 12:47pm

I have never sat in a bad seat. It is a great theater layout.

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 4:30am

Jersey Girl2...I LOVE your avatar! Hee, hee
I guess it'll be easier for you to get there than me, then, being in NJ already :) Can you recommend some good eateries in that area, as well as inns (or BB) by the theater? Figured you might be the right one to ask...thanks.

zorak2, good to know anywhere is good. Someone said perhaps the mezz might not be so great...?

[madbrian]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 9:03am

Here's a link to the Papermill's list of local restaurants:

http://www.papermill.org/visit/dining.php

As for inns or B&Bs, I don't know of any immediately near the theater, but you may want to try along Northfield Ave in West Orange.

[PlayhouseBeauty]

Posted: 4/2/09 at 10:50am

April 19th is press night but my family and I are going to the matinee. I went to press night for Oaklahoma! and that was pretty amazing! As for places to eat and sleep I am not sure if you will have a car so the great places to eat within walking distance are Martini Bistro and MC Resturant. Those I think are a little pricey but there is a great pizza place called LaStrada on Millburn avenue. As for a place to sleep there really isn't much. There is the Kenilworth Inn thats probably about 15mins away and then the Crowne Plaza in Clark, NJ which is about 30 mins away. Here are the links to their hotel websites:
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hotel/clknj

http://www.kenilworthinn.com/

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 4:21am

Thanks to both, madbrian and PB for your links.
Now...do you have any info on which train to take from NYC (most likely Manhattan)? I think I am renting a car (most likely at Newark Airport) once in NJ.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 7:07am

I've never seen a show and am highly considering going to see this amazing cast.

[The Glorious Ones]

Posted: 4/5/09 at 9:55am

Bwaybabe - The Midtown Direct stops at Millburn, literally five minutes from the theatre. Total time from Penn Station to Paper Mill is 45 minutes - it's incredibly convenient! There's also signs and a map at the Millburn station that direct you to Paper Mill.

Also, for more affordable dining, I highly recommend Pizzeta (on Main Street in Millburn) or the Millburn Diner (right across the street from the train station).
NJ Transit

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 4/10/09 at 6:12am

The Glorious Ones...I apologize for the delay in thanking you for your post! The funny thing is that I was only able to print out the info that day, and then had to log out =I
Your info helped me out trememdously, and saved me a ton of time that I would have spent trying to figure out the best way to do this!
Also, thanks for the dining recommendations...I'm not into the "high budget dining" thing...I like elegance, but refuse to pay more than it should be worth! So, your suggestions are very welcome

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 3:00am

For those who have not seen "1776", yet...let me recommend, if you go, to sit in the Orchestra section, preferably middle rows of any Orchestra section (right, left , middle, are all great). And, of course, the front rows would be amazing!
I had tickets for front Mezz, and it was like seeing a miniature version of the stage down there...it really felt like you needed a telescope to see the show! =I The "boxes" were a bit closer, but I still recommend the Orchestra section...since I meant to go another time, I figured I would get the Mezz, and then go for the Orchestra the next time.
About the NJ transit, just take it from Penn Station to Millburn, and then walk to Paper Mill. The path is not available at the moment, so you will have to go around to get there, but it is clearly marked, no confusion.
And...yes, if you go for the night show, the Millburn train does not go straight to Manhattan after 10:30PM (show ends about 10:45PM). You have to take the connection (at Millburn) which goes to, I believe, Hoboken? Someone correct me if I got this last one wrong, but this is what they told me at Paper Mill. Then from Hoboken to Penn Station. It leaves Millburn about 11:35PM (and I think this is the last train, at least weekdays). You might want to check with NJ transit before you embark on this trip, if you are going for the night performance, just in case the train might not be operating that night.
Updated On: 5/3/09 at 03:00 AM

[broadfan327]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 3:12am

I sat in the rear mezz for 1776, and I felt like I was in another zip code. It was my first time in that theater.

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 9:07am

We ate at the Martini Bistro on Main street. It was reasonable, service was great and everything was delicious. & The martinis were wonderful!

Have fun.
My favorite part of going to Papermill- the $5 parking.

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 5/3/09 at 11:59am

My favorite part of going to PaperMill: not paying for parking. :)

If you go on a weekday, the NJ Transit train goes to Hoboken not NYC Penn Station. From Hoboken, take the PATH into Manhattan.
This adds lots of extra travel time which is why it really is BEST to see a matinee or a weekend evening performance if you are taking NJ Transit train.

I saw the show from further back in orchestra for 1/2 price by using njartstix.org