New musical Take The Lead to make world premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse

A musical adaption of the 2006 film Take The Lead is to make its world premiere in 2025.

Paper Mill Playhouse will stage the debut of the show, based on the movie that starred Antonio Banderas.

Running March 29 – April 27, 2025, the musical has a book by Robert Cary and Jonathan Tolins (Schmigadoon!) and a score by Elliah Heifetz and Zeniba Now. Take The Lead will be co-choreographed by Jennifer Weber (& Juliet) and Maria Torres and directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli (Newsies).

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.

Take The Lead will join Paper Mill’s 2024/205 season alongside Jersey Boys, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas and Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

The venue will also stage musical Mystic Pizza which first made its premiere in 2021. Based on the beloved 1988 MGM rom-com, it features a jukebox score of songs by the likes of Cyndi Lauper, John Cougar Mellencamp, Wilson Phillips, The Bangles, Belinda Carlisle, Huey Lewis and the News, Debbie Gibson and Bryan Adams.