Judi: Who needs Broadway when we’ve got New Jersey!

I'd love to shove this in the faces of people who think that all New Jersey is is refineries and big hair (Believe it or not that old stereotype still exists.)

On the contrary, There's never any need to go to Philadelphia or New York for a cultural or artistic fix when you live in New Jersey! We've got everything from cool artist enclaves to indie music spaces to Broadway caliber theater. And speaking of the latter I have had the great fortune to be in the audience at several shows produced by the renowned New Jersey theater the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn.

I dragged Dennis along with me for his first-ever theater experience to see The Bandstand last year (which is now headed to Broadway.) Before you know, it he was hooked! Now we are regular theater-goers, the two of us. When he was unable to attend with me last week, I dragged my reluctant husband along with me to see the critically acclaimed hit musical, The Producers.

Neither of us had ever seen the show, but of course, we knew enough about it to know that we were in for a night of laughs and good entertainment. Nothing could have prepared us, however, for the great time we had, the quality of acting and the caliber of singing dancing and music. After visiting the Paper Mill Playhouse, I can hardly understand why anybody would drive through a tunnel or over a bridge to see a Broadway show when we have something just as good right here in our own backyard.

I urge you to take advantage of one of New Jersey's finest cultural institutions. And specifically, try to catch The Producers before it closes at the end of October. If you've never seen it, you're gonna love it. From the reaction of people I spoke to at the show that night, even if you have seen it before, you'll love this production more.

For tickets and information about The Producers at the Paper Mill Playhouse, click here.

You can thank me later.

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