Paper Mill Playhouse is bringing one of the most beloved musicals in theater history back to the stage as the final production of its 2025-2026 season. The Regional Theatre Tony Award-winning institution has announced the full cast and creative team for West Side Story, which begins performances on May 28 and runs through June 28 in Millburn, New Jersey.
Directed by Paper Mill Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, the production features a mix of rising stars and seasoned stage performers. Leading the cast are Noah Henry as Tony and Sarah-Anne Martinez as Maria, the young lovers at the heart of the timeless story. Joining them are Mikaela Secada as Anita, Antony Sanchez as Bernardo, Sean Harrison Jones as Riff, Hugo Pizano Orozco as Chino, Nick Alvino as Action, Stuart Zagnit as Doc, Adam Monley as Schrank, and Adam Kozlowski as Krupke.
Based on a conception by Jerome Robbins, West Side Story reimagines William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet amid the gang rivalries of 1950s New York City. The musical follows Tony and Maria as they fall in love despite tensions between the Jets and the Sharks, two groups battling for territory and identity. The show remains one of Broadway’s most enduring classics, featuring music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents.
The production will feature the original choreography conceived by Robbins, with choreography by Alex Sánchez and music direction by Ben McNaboe, who will lead Paper Mill’s 19-piece orchestra. The creative team also includes costume designer Antonio Consuegra, lighting designer Charlie Morrison, sound designer Matt Kraus, and fight and intimacy director Rick Sordelet.
Beyond the performances themselves, Paper Mill Playhouse continues its commitment to accessibility and audience engagement. A cast question-and-answer session will follow the June 13 matinee performance, giving theatergoers an opportunity to hear directly from members of the company.
The theater will also offer a range of accessibility services during the run, including audio-described performances, autism-friendly performances, open-captioned performances, and American Sign Language-interpreted performances. These initiatives are part of the organization’s broader mission to make live theater accessible to all audiences.
Since its founding in 1938, Paper Mill Playhouse has earned a national reputation for producing acclaimed revivals and developing new musicals that have gone on to Broadway and national tours. With West Side Story, the theater closes its season with a powerful tale of love, hope, and division that continues to resonate with audiences generations after its debut.
Tickets for West Side Story are available through Paper Mill Playhouse and the Millburn box office.