Quality of Paper Mill Playhouse (Updated with new Question)

[Cowboysfan84]

Posted: 5/11/13 at 8:20pm

Hello! First off I apologize for not being as "up to par" on most broadway topics as mostly all of you. That being said, I wanted to take my fiance to "The Little Mermaid" at the Paper Mill Playhouse but was wondering what the quality of their shows were. I have taken my fiance to "In the Heights" and "Newsies" on Broadway and she enjoyed them both very much. She loves "The Little Mermaid" and I was thinking of taking her to see it at the Paper Mill Playhouse. I was wondering what the quality of the shows there are? She has seen a few Broadway shows and I was just wondering how their shows rate with production values and what not. I also know "The Little Mermaid" was not received well but she does like the movie and music so it is something show would enjoy. Thanks. All help would be appreciated.

UPDATE

Hey everyone! So I purchased my tickets to "The Little Mermaid" for June 28th and was very happy with my seats. (Row K, Dead Center). I bought them on Sunday, and just now looked at what tickets were still available for June 28th (out of curiosity) and now they opened up lots of seats in rows F, G, H, and J. This might seem silly, but do you think I should call the box office to see if they will move me up to the new seats that opened up, or do you think that moving forward anywhere from 1-4 rows forward really wont make that much of a difference to go through the hassle of trying to switch the seats. Also, there is no row "I", so that means as of now, being in row K means I am 10 rows back, centered.

Again, sorry if this seems stupid to ask, but its for my fiance and I want to make it perfect! Thanks so much! Updated On: 5/16/13 at 08:20 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/11/13 at 8:32pm

Look at it this way-it couldn't be any worse than Broadway. The cast is very good and all the songs your girlfriend loved are in the show. I say its worth seeing, especially if she likes it.

[ljay889]

Posted: 5/11/13 at 8:32pm

Papermill is high quality regional theater (with Broadway performers) in a wonderful suburban setting.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/11/13 at 8:33pm

That's so sweet! I want a boyfriend who takes me to the theatre. Who's jealous? <--- This guy.

Anyway, their production values are usually pretty high. Two of their shows have been filmed for broadcast on PBS. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this production is also receiving a bit of "enhancement" money from Disney. That doesn't necessarily mean that it will be brilliant, but since she likes the movie, I'd say it's a pretty safe bet.

[Cowboysfan84]

Posted: 5/11/13 at 9:58pm

Thanks everyone for the help!

[madbrian]

Posted: 5/11/13 at 10:05pm

The shows there are truly high quality. We usually go to a couple of shows a season. One caveat: it's a huge house, and the mezz is set very far back. I'd avoid the mezz, as well as the rear of the orchestra.

Also, not sure where you're traveling from/to, but the theater is walking distance from the Millburn NJ Transit train station.

[Cowboysfan84]

Posted: 5/11/13 at 10:13pm

Last question! I notice that the first few weeks of the show, the prices are more expensive then the last few weeks? Why is that? Just curious?

Also, I think I am going to purchase tickets for the center section, row K. They look like great seats. Anyone have any input on those seats?

Thanks everyone!

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/11/13 at 10:42pm

I would not be surprised if Disney's money is in this. I knew from someone who worked for Disney Theatricals that they were looking to build an entirely new production from the ground up with a regional theatre, A new "vision" that would serve as the standard, premiere version of the show--that might even tour. They are as eager to forget the Broadway engagement as anyone is.

And of course, there is the precedent set by Newsies.

[stevenycguy]

Posted: 5/11/13 at 11:26pm

I sat in the rear orchestra and I felt so far away that I would have been better off staying home and renting a DVD. Unless you live very close in NJ, I don't think it's worth the travel time or expense (exorbitant tolls and/or NJ Transit suburban railroad fares). The shows are not of bad quality, but I always enjoyed Broadway shows much more.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 12:19am

Are you a lesbian?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 12:31am

^He's a guy.

[ARTc]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 12:40am

The Papermill Playhouse is a truly great regional theater. Their history includes many important productions, most recently it's where Newsies got its theatrical start.

The theater is large, but row K center will be great.

Check out Milburn while you're there. Its an adorable little town with some nice restaurants and yes, it is walking distance from the train.

Go!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 12:49am

DISNEY should buy this joint.

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 12:58am

I've only seen one production there, "A Chorus Line" with Rachelle Rak, but it was a phenomenal production and a great afternoon of theater. I got student rush tickets (they didn't check ID), and they were mid-orchestra, slightly to the right. It was a packed house, so I think they were the best seats available.

I've also heard wonderful stories about the staff, and that they try to please the patrons, even when they don't have to. For example, a friend once drove from Boston to see Betty Buckley in Gypsy. She was out that day, and when my friend mentioned to the box office staff how disappointed he was, having driven five hours specifically to see Buckley, the box office staff apologized, and upgraded their rear-mezz seats to prime house seats with no charge.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 2:25am

I sat in the rear-mezz for Sound of Music. I'll be honest, it was pretty far back, but I didn't mind. I mean, if you routinely see shows at some of the "road house" of the national tours, it's no different. I feel like it would be weird to see a play there though, or something as small as Chorus Line.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 5:18am

I was a visitor-caught the train[an adventure in itself]saw Ms Buckly in Gypsy--impressed by everything[an easily impressionable,excited tourist].

[Cowboysfan84]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 9:56am

Thanks everyone for the help. I think I am going to go ahead and get the tickets today! Has anyone gone from Manhattan to the Paper Mill Playhouse? I have recently moved to Manhattan so I am not too familiar with how to get there by train, if that is even a possibility. Does anyone know if their is a way to get there and back by train?

I truly appreciate the help everyone. :)

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 10:50am

I sat in Orchestra Row Q, on the side, for Millie and I was shocked at how great the seat was. I could see everything and it did not feel like Row Q at all. That said, I sat Row E center for Les Mis, which was also great. I'd actually argue, in regards to the orchestra, that there's not a bad seat!

I'm from Long Island and I'll be making the Paper Mill trip once again for The Little Mermaid...I'd say go for it; have fun!

As others have mentioned, from the Milburn train station (if you're taking the train), it is a quick walk. There a pathway that bypasses Main Street and saves some time.

[Cowboysfan84]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 11:22am

So I did some research and it looks like I can take a train from Penn Station to the Millburn station and then walk from there. Plus I checked the return times and there is a train at 10:13pm which should work nicely. Looking forward to the trip. Thanks everyone! :)

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 12:45pm

The train and walk are VERY easy.
When you arrive at Millburn station, walk to your left as you step off the train, down the platform. There is map on the platform with walking directions from the platform. The path starts at the very end of the platform and is quite easy.

Yes, a large theatre - only 1,200 seats and laid out in a spacious manner, but the sightlines are great. The staff is always friendly and if you arrive early, you can grab a sandwich at their carriage House restaurant and a cocktail at the bar.. or just enjoy the courtyard.

The diner near the train station is also great.

[Hank]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 8:45pm

Millburn is so near to the city, yet a world away. Pretend you're on a trip, even if only for a few hours. Be sure to check out the fish pond next to the brook. Enjoy!

[madbrian]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 9:28pm

Make sure you take the time to check out all the photos in the lobby from prior productions, going back decades. You'll be astounded at the number of big stars who have graced the Papermill stage.

[McBroadway2]

Posted: 5/12/13 at 10:23pm

My first and only visit thus far to Papermill was to see Newsies and I was very impressed with my experience. I thought the theater was great and even though my seats were far back I still had a great view. I also thought the town of Milburn was so cute and it was very easy to walk from the train. I was there on a gorgeous fall day and had lunch at a cute deli before the show and it was lots of fun!

[Cowboysfan84]

Posted: 5/16/13 at 11:47am

Thanks in advance of the help!

[broadwaydevil]

Posted: 5/16/13 at 6:55pm

Give them a call, it can't hurt. I've always found the Paper Mill box office to be incredibly nice. They may switch the tickets for you.

That said, I wouldn't stress stress. Sounds like you have very good seats already and if it's staged anything like The Little Mermaid was staged on Broadway, sitting a bit further back is probably better.