When Samuel Campbell opened The Thistle Paper Mill in Millburn in 1795, he never could have imagined that it would one day be a beloved place in the community and in the entire state to see Broadway-level shows.
“It’s the best of Broadway in your backyard,” says Cody Andrus, director of marketing and communications for Paper Mill Playhouse. “You don't have to get on a train into New York City. You can come to Millburn and enjoy the lovely setting of the town and the restaurants along with a great show.”
The tickets are also much more affordable, which allows people from all walks of life to enjoy the arts. “The arts are important at any age, and as you get older, they give you the opportunity to escape day to day life for a few hours,” he says.
In addition to the plays, Paper Mill offers many classes and summer programs for people of all ages. “Even if you don't go into this business, it gives you social skills and an appreciation for the world that we live in,” says Cody.
It’s also a great place to get into the holiday spirit. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The Musical, based on the 1954 holiday film, is playing through the holidays. “What we're doing here at Paper Mill is a complete experience where The F.M. Kirby Carriage House Restaurant will have a Christmas menu that’s based around the show, and the whole campus is going to be decorated with lights, snowflakes and Christmas decorations.” You’ll be fully immersed in the Christmas spirit.
Adds Mark S. Hoebee, the director of White Christmas, "I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this joyful musical to our stage for all families to enjoy. It has some of the best dancing you’ll ever see, and the infectious Irving Berlin score has truly become a part of America’s holiday soundscape. We have an incredibly talented company of performers, ready to deliver a dynamite experience for everyone who visits Paper Mill Playhouse this December."
Before the show opened, The Carriage House also hosted Christmas trivia and a murder mystery called Murder Under the Mistletoe. “We also had a Christmas piano bar with Christmas music, and holiday songs to sing along to.”
The restaurant will continue to offer other themed programming geared towards upcoming shows. The Playhouse offers five shows a year, usually lasting for four to five weeks each. The best way to see them all, or even a few of your favorites, is to get a subscription, which offers lower prices per ticket, a fixed seat, and the ability to exchange tickets if you can’t make a scheduled show.
There are still plenty of fantastic shows coming up. Mystic Pizza, based on the popular 80s movie with Julia Roberts, will open in January. It will be followed by the world premiere of Take the Lead, a brand new musical based on the true story of a former professional dancer who brought ballroom dance into New York City public schools. Closing out the season will be the unforgettable Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
From an actual paper mill to a power-packed playhouse, the building has gone through many changes over the years, and now more are coming. “In October, we kicked off a $43.7 million dollar capital campaign,” says Cody. Along with renovating the dressing rooms and offices, the Carriage House will be completely redesigned and expanded in order to fit more people and host more events.
“The summer after that we start a full renovation of the lobby spaces, so there will be a beautiful open lobby that looks out onto the courtyard, expanded bathrooms and more accessibility.”
Through state and city funds, generous board members and other donors, the playhouse has raised over $30 million so far, but there is still a long way to go. They’re reaching out to other donors, subscribers, and single ticket buyers in order to complete the renovations in the next three years.
To get your tickets for a great show, make a reservation at the Carriage House, sign up for one of the events, and find out more about Paper Mill Playhouse’s capital campaign, go to PaperMill.org or call 973-376-4343.
"You don't have to get on a train into New York City."