Show Finder
Take the Lead
First Preview: Mar 29, 2025
Opening Date: Apr 6, 2025
Closing Date: Apr 27, 2025
Playing @
Paper Mill Playhouse
22 Brookside Drive, Milburn , NJ 07041
Set in the pulsating heart of New York City, Take the Lead is a joyful new musical based on the 2006 dance film that starred Antonio Banderas. This electrifying tale is the true story of Pierre Dulaine, a former professional dancer who, against all odds, brought the art of ballroom dance into New York City public schools. This world-premiere musical spotlights a dynamic fusion of ballroom and hip-hop in its music and choreography with a book by Robert Cary and Jonathan Tolins (Schmigadoon!) and a score by Elliah Heifetz and Zeniba Now, with music production by !llmind. Take the Lead will be co-choreographed by Jennifer Weber (& Juliet) and Maria Torres (So You Think You Can Dance) and directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli (Newsies).
Performance Schedule
WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY @ 7:30 PM
THURSDAY & SATURDAY @ 1:30 PM & 7:30 PM
SUNDAY @ 1:30 PM & 7 PM
No 7 PM performance March 30
Cast
- Adrienne Bailon-Houghton
- Vincent Jamal Hooper
- Savy Jackson
- Tam Mutu
- Matthew Risch
Music
- Elliah Heifetz & Zeniba Now
- music Production by !llmind
Lyrics
- Elliah Heifetz & Zeniba Now
Book
- Robert Cary & Jonathan Tolins
Director
- Christopher Gattelli
Choreography
- Jennifer Weber
- Maria Torres & Christopher Gattelli
TDF Tickets Offers:
TDF Member tickets:
Not currently available for this show
Listed at 
Never
Full-price tickets:
$35.00 - $148.00
Accessibility
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Assisted Listening System
Assistive listening devices are available for patrons who are hard of hearing to assist with amplification and clarity of the performance. Headsets and devices, cleaned between each performance, may be obtained at the access services window of the box office in the lower lobby. A name and phone number are required to check out the devices. A limited number of devices are compatible with T-coil hearing aids, and looped T-coil mats are installed at our box office. -
Elevator\Escalator
Elevator access is available to the upper lobby, lower gallery, and upper gallery levels. The men’s restroom and the entrance to the orchestra level of the auditorium are located at the upper lobby level. An additional concessions bar and the donor lounge are located at the lower gallery level. The upper gallery level includes additional restrooms and the entrance to the mezzanine level of the auditorium. -
Entrance
The lower lobby is wheelchair accessible through the front entrance of the theater only. The lower lobby includes the box office & access services window, women’s restroom, and main concessions bar. -
Folding Armrests
Seats in the orchestra are designated as transfer seats for patrons in wheelchairs, where the outer armrest is removable to allow patrons to transfer. Visit https://papermill.org/access-for-all/ for seat locations. -
Parking
Designated accessible parking spaces are located in Parking Lot A and E. Lot A is situated at the rear of the building and accessible to the front entrance via our brick courtyard to the side of the building and contains 6 designated accessible spots. Lot E is next to the courtyard at the front entrance of the building and contains 8 designated accessible spots. -
Restroom
Gender diversity is welcome at Paper Mill Playhouse. Please use the restroom that best aligns with your personal gender identity or expression. The women’s restroom is located in the lower lobby, directly to the right of the box office. The men’s restroom is located in the upper lobby, to the left and around the corner from the entrance to the orchestra. A single-use, accessible bathroom is located directly next to the elevator at the upper lobby level, across from the gift shop. -
Telephone
None on premises -
Visual Assistance
A limited quantity of Braille and large-print programs are available for each Mainstage performance. Programs may be obtained from the access services window of the box office. Audio description for patrons who are blind or have low vision is available for each Mainstage production. Headsets and devices, cleaned between each performance, may be obtained at the access services window of the box office in the lower lobby. A name and phone number are required to check out the devices. -
Water Fountain
Near men's restroom on orchestra level. Wheelchair accessible. -
Wheelchair Info
There are no steps required to reach any row in the orchestra level. Free-standing chairs are located in the last row of the left- and right-side sections that are designated for patrons in wheelchairs or with other mobility disabilities and their companions. Patrons who transfer from their wheelchairs or mobility devices will be able to have their chair or device stored with house management for the duration of the performance; ushers will be available to assist patrons in retrieving.









