New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse announced their upcoming 2025 – 2026 season. Five musicals are scheduled to be presented. The new season marks the Paper Mill’s 87th season of world-class theater in Millburn, New Jersey.
“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.”
Schedule of Shows for 2025 – 2026 Season
Bull Durham – Thursday, October 2 – Sunday, November 2, 2025
Frozen – Wednesday, November 26, 2025 – Sunday, January 4, 2026
Come From Away – Wednesday, February 4 – Sunday, March 1, 2026
1776 – Wednesday, April 1 – Sunday, April 26, 2026
West Side Story – Thursday, May 28 – Sunday, June 28, 2026
Performance Times and Purchases
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.
Paper Mill Playhouse offers three-, four- and five-show subscription packages, available now starting at just $120 per person. Each subscription package includes a different level of special benefits – see www.PaperMill.org for details.
Accessibly priced youth subscriptions are available for those 18 years old and under with the purchase of an adult subscription. Access Services pricing is available exclusively for those patrons using wheelchair seating, audio-description, open-captioning, or ASL-interpreting services.
Subscriptions may be purchased online at 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.
Blake Morris and Doug Harris in King James at George Street Playhouse – Photo credit – T. Charles Erickson
King James – George Street Playhouse – Review
One of the great gifts a person can have in life is a good friendship. Once found, we are fortunate if it continues to develop and thrive for a long time. This is what happens in the play King James, currently playing at George Street Playhouse. Written by Rajiv Joseph, the show centers around a friendship which develops due to the amazing career of NBA superstar LeBron James. The friendship is between two young men who both love basketball. But it becomes more than that as it goes on.
Under the direction of Ryan George, the play is entertaining, clever, and heartwarming. Prepare to bring out your tissues as the issues the friends face reach their dramatic conclusion.
The setting for King James is at several locations in Cleveland, Ohio in 2004, 2010, 2014, and 2016. The play is divided into four scenes which correspond to those four years.
Great Sets and Video Enhance the Production
If you are a fan of LeBron James, you will enjoy seeing some of his career highlights on videos that play on a large drop down screen, center stage. It starts with the time when LeBron was finishing up his high school career. A sports commentator comes on and says “LeBron is the best high school player he has ever seen.“
He was highly regarded as a fabulous player coming into the NBA. So when he signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, excitement runs high especially since the team had not had a major championship in many years.
The Story Begins in LeBron’s Rookie Year
Many of the selected scenes correlate to the moments which help develop the friendship between Matt (Doug Harris) and Shawn (Blake Morris). These two actors both turn in very fine performances as they bring the story to life.
The two meet in a wine bar owned by Matt and his family. Matt has a set of season tickets to the Cavalier’s games. Suddenly, these tickets are in demand at high prices because of the notoriety that LeBron brings. Shawn comes in hoping to make the purchase.
They work to negotiate a price. Shawn gets the tickets then confesses that he has never been to a game. And so the two begin their friendship. The two scenes which make up the first half of the show cover 2004 – 201o.
Classic scenes of LeBron‘s attempts with the Cavaliers to win the NBA championship are shown on the screen. It’s frustrating to watch how close they come. Not only do Matt and Shawn share their love of basketball, but they get to know each about each other’s lives. All seems well. However, eventually they both realize they have to move on from their devotion to LeBron.
Photo Credit – T. Charles Erikson
LeBron James Move to Miami
The frustration of not winning leads LeBron to accept an offer to move and join the Miami Heat. People will remember that time as very controversial. It would be fair to say that people in Cleveland were stunned that he walked away.
Thankfully, for the two friends, they have each other to go through this time together. And this really shows the impact of the importance of friendship can have. The two men grew closer over the years. They’ve gone to games together and they know each other’s families so when this disappointment occurs, they’re able to handle it together.
The play is cleverly constructed to show the advancement within the friends lives as LeBron is seeking his own. Matt eventually takes on the responsibility of his parents of his mother‘s antique shop. Shawn moves on to college and he wants to get into film work. And the audience can’t help but root for both of them because they both show how hard they work.
The King Returns to Cleveland
Finally, the moment comes when LeBron announces that he’s coming back to Cleveland to play ball. It has been 50 years with no championship. Will LeBron bring the hope of a win on his return?
People wonder if he will be accepted back by the public. When the two friends discuss it, Matt says “LeBron lacks class. He should’ve known his place.” At that moment the friendship is injured. Shawn takes the remarks to heart. He decides it is time for him to move to Los Angeles in order to pursue his writing career.
If you follow basketball, you know that LeBron James returned to Cleveland in 2014. He lead the Cavaliers to their first-ever championship in 2016. These are the years covered in the second part of the play.
Eventually Matt and Shawn get together again. There are bumps to overcome. Both have changed in those years perhaps in a sense paralleling LeBron James as well.
Go to See King James
The gift of a good friendship is one that is a blessing. The end of this play displays that very concept. You will want to see how the friends overcome time, distance, and big changes in their lives. But through it all, their friendship wins out.
King James runs now through Sunday April 6, 2025 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center at 11 Livingston Avenue , New Brunswick, NJ. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit George Street Playhouse’s website.
Daniel Marconi in a scene from Mint Theater Company’s New York Premiere of GARSIDE’S CAREER by Harold Brighouse, directed by Matt Dickson. Photo credit: Maria Baranova
Garside’s Career – A Review
The Mint Theater Company is presenting the New York Premiere of Garside’s Career. Written by Harold Brighouse, the play has a limited engagement run at Theater Row through March 15.
Matt Dickson directs a splendid cast in a show that scores high marks for the acting and overall production. Written in the earlier part of the 1900’s, the play had an extended run in Boston in 1919. Shortly after, a New York production was announced, but never happened. Even in the U.K. this political satire seems to have completely disappeared.
But as the Mint Theater Company does so well, it identifies a play whose theme rings true today. As stated by the Company’s Artistic Director, Jonathan Bank,
One of the reasons I was drawn to producing older plays in the first place is they can show how today’s ‘alarming issues’ have usually been around for ages. Working on them (or seeing them) helps put things in perspective.
Although Garside’s Career was written 110 years ago, the characters, story, and theme are remarkably visible today. The main character, Peter Garside ascends the society and class structure very rapidly. He does it with the substantial well earned university degree in engineering. But his secret weapon is his ability to do public speaking and have an impact on his audiences. He sees himself as a man on the rise due to his oratory skills. They later become part of his downfall.
The Story of a Man Aiming for Success
The play opens in the Midlanton cottage of Mrs. Garside (Amelia White) and her son Peter (Daniel Marconi). There is an air of anticipation as Mrs. Garside and Margaret Shawcross (Madeline Seidman) wait for Peter to bring news about a recent exam he took. Mrs. Garside is very enthusiastic about her son’s chances of success with this exam; Margaret not as much.
These two attitudes become important to the plot of the show because Margaret provides a very needed balance in Peter’s life. Mom keeps him well supplied with compliments and Margaret brings him back to real life.
The news they are waiting to hear is good. Peter arrives to tell the ladies that he is now an honors man of Midlanton University. As they celebrate, mom lets Peter know that Margaret doubted his abilities to pass but she never did. Such a good soul to pass that information along!
Daniel Marconi and Amelia White in a scene from Mint Theater Company’s New York Premiere of GARSIDE’S CAREER by Harold Brighouse, directed by Matt Dickson. Photo credit: Maria Baranova
The Celebration Continues as More People Arrive
Good news gets to travel quickly as a group of men from a labor group arrive. The group includes Denis O’Callaghan (Erik Gratton), Karl Marx Jones (Michael Schantz), and Ned Applegarth (Paul Niebanck). They celebrate Peter’s success and ask him to run for Parliament to represent their Party.
Michael Schantz, Erik Gratton, Paul Niebanck, Daniel Marconi, Madeline Seidman and Amelia White GARSIDE’S CAREER Photo Credit: Maria Baranova
The men stress that Peter has a grand specking ability which is important to getting out with the public. And that speaking ability is already something that Margaret is concerned about as she previously urged Peter to do more writing rather than speaking.
However, Peter feels confident about his “silver tongue” which brings with it an insatiable fascination with his power to persuade: “You don’t know the glorious sensation of holding a crowd in the hollow of your hand, mastering it, doing what you like with it.” Margaret summarizes her concern “The itch to speak is like the itch to drink, except that it’s cheaper to talk yourself.”
As Peter wins his seat he moves to London. His ability to provide powerful orations is still a driving force inside of him.
London Brings New Opportunities and New Challenges
Arriving in London, Peter meets the Mottram family including somewhat flirtatious Gladys (Sara Hader), Freddie (Avery Whitted) and Lady Mottram (Melissa Maxwell). He makes visits out frequently earning money for his speeches. And this sits well with this new crowd in London.
The sets here are more lavish and Peter’s quarters are also more elaborate than his home area. When his mother arrives, the differences of class and status are on display. Peter’s preference for a higher life cause him to go out on these more frequent speaking engagements. Is it the money he makes or the thrill of igniting the crowd? Perhaps both.
Sara Haider, Avery Whitted, and Melissa Maxwell in a scene from GARSIDE’S CAREER by Harold Brighouse, directed by Matt Dickson. Photo credit: Maria Baranova
It backfires on him when he is confronted by the group who backed his run for the Parliament seat. His lack of attendance in Parliament due to these speaking engagements does not sit well. He resigns his seat and returns home and back to Margaret.
Mint Theater Company’s Superb Production Brings the Story Home
The design and execution of the production of this play by Mint Theater Company adds much to the story. Their sets, acting, and even the way they move the scenery allow audience members to see the plot unfolding very carefully.
Several songs are used to emphasize what is happening. One very strong one is a song about Solidarity which the group who is backing Peter sings with great vigor.
Casting for this play brings together a strong ensemble of actors. Leading is Daniel Marconi who provides a very convincing depiction of Peter Garside, a man who wants it all and loves to ignite a crowd. Amelia White’s portrayal of Mrs. Garside provides many amusing moments throughout the play. Madeline Seidman plays Margaret Shawcross as a sensible and level headed individual throughout the entire play. She gives that stability that Peter needs.
Go to See Garside’s Career
If you are a theater lover who enjoys well produced and well acted plays, then make it a point to attend a performance of Garside’s Career. The play runs until March 15, 2025.
Tickets may be purchased online at minttheater.org, by phone by calling 212/714-2442, ext. 45 (Tuesday – Sunday from 12 noon to 5PM), or in person at Theatre Row Box Office (located at 410 West 42nd Street). Service fees will apply for online or phone orders.
Performances will be Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings at 7pm with matinees Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2pm. Added performances Wednesday evenings 2/19 & 3/12 at 7pm and Thursday matinee 3/13 at 2pm. No performance on 2/21; no evening performance on 3/15.
Theatre Row, is located at 410 West 42nd Street (between 9th & 10th Avenues),
For more information, visit the Mint Theater Company website.
