A Perfect Slice! Mystic Pizza at Paper Mill Playhouse

By Joely DeMonte

Based on the beloved 1988 film of the same name, Mystic Pizza: The Musical brings the charm and heart of the original movie to the stage, offering a fresh yet nostalgic take on the lives of three working-class women navigating love, family, and the complexities of growing up in a small-town pizza parlor. Set to a score featuring megahits from the 80s and 90s, including “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” and “Hold On”. The musical is a joyful celebration of friendship, love, and finding your place in the world.

Set in the picturesque seaside town of Mystic, Connecticut, the story follows Daisy Arujo (Krystina Alabado), Katherine “Kat” Arujo (Alaina Anderson), and Josephine “JoJo” Barboza (Deánna Giulietti), three young women working at Leona Silvia’s (Jennifer Fouché) Mystic Pizza as they navigate their own personal challenges and romantic entanglements. The show shines with its relatable characters, brought to life by a talented cast that includes Ben Fankhauser as Tim Travers, F. Michael Haynie as Bill Montijo, and Vincent Michael as Charles “Charlie” Gordon Windsor, Jr. Their chemistry is electric, especially between the three leading women, whose emotional journeys resonate deeply with the audience.

The performances are top-notch, especially Giulietti’s comedic timing as JoJo is a standout, delivering humor with such a punch that keeps the audience laughing, but the strong bond between Daisy, Kat, and JoJo is truly the heart of the show. It’s the kind of show that makes you appreciate your friends and family even more, and makes you want to give them a hug, reminding you of the importance of those connections in your life.

Directed by Casey Hushion (Mean Girls), with a book by Sandy Rustin and music supervision by Carmel Dean, Mystic Pizza: The Musical is a delightful and heartwarming theatrical experience. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the movie or new to the Mystic Pizza universe, the musical captures the magic of the film while adding a new layer of musical joy. It’s a feel-good celebration of friendship, love, and finding your path in life; all served up with a slice of pizza-flavored fun.
For tickets or more information, visit https://papermill.org/.