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Paradise Square
Broadway promotional poster
Music Jason Howland
LyricsMasi Asare
Nathan Tysen
Book Christina Anderson
Larry Kirwan
Craig Lucas
BasisHard Times
by Larry Kirwan
PremiereJanuary 10, 2019 (2019-01-10): Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Productions2012 Off Off Broadway
2019 Berkeley
2021 Chicago
2022 Broadway

Paradise Square is a stage musical, with music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Masi Asare and Nathan Tysen, and a book by Christina Anderson, Larry Kirwan and Craig Lucas. Set in New York City during the Civil War and the New York City draft riots, the musical follows conflict between Irish Americans and Black Americans. The production is directed by Moisés Kaufman and choreographed by Bill T. Jones, with intimacy direction by Gaby Labotka. [1] The musical opened on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on April 3, 2022.

The show received mixed reviews from critics, and earned 10 nominations at the 75th Tony Awards, including Best Musical, with Joaquina Kalukango winning Best Actress. [2]

Background

The musical is based on Hard Times, conceived by Kirwan, which was originally presented Off Off Broadway in 2012 at Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre, under the direction of Kira Simring.

Production history

Berkeley (2018)

The musical premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Berkeley, California on December 27, 2018, for a limited run which was extended to March 3, 2019. [3]

Chicago (2021)

It had a pre-Broadway run at the Nederlander Theatre in Chicago from November 2 to December 5, 2021. [4] The production opened to mostly positive reviews. [5]

Broadway (2022)

The musical began previews at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City on March 15, 2022, prior to an official opening on April 3, 2022. [6] It received mixed reviews and was subsequently closed briefly due to widespread COVID-19 issues amongst the cast and crew.

On July 11, 2022, it was announced the musical would play its final Broadway performance on July 17, due to low ticket sales. [7] After several cast members and stage managers spoke out against the working conditions and unpaid benefits, Actors' Equity announced plans to put producer Garth Drabinsky on the "Do Not Work" list, effectively banning him from producing any future Broadway shows. [8]

An Original Broadway Cast Recording was expected to be released in September 2022, with a national tour currently in development for the 2023-24 season, and international productions also in the works. However, due to financial and legal dealings with Drabinsky, the album is currently on hold with no date determined for the album release at this time. [9]

Musical numbers

Berkeley (2018) [10]

Chicago (2021) [11]

Broadway (2022) [12]

Cast and characters

Character Off Off Broadway (2012) [13] Berkeley (2018) [14] Chicago (2021) [15] Broadway (2022) [16]
Nelly O'Brien Almeria Campbell Christina Sajous Joaquina Kalukango
Annie Lewis — Madeline Trumble Chilina Kennedy
Frederic Tiggens — John Dossett
Washington Henry — Sidney DuPont
Owen Duignan John Charles McLaughlin A.J. Shively
Reverend Samuel Jacob Lewis — Daren A. Herbert Nathaniel Stampley
Angelina Baker — Gabrielle McClinton
'Lucky' Mike Quinlan — Kevin Dennis
Milton Moore Jed Peterson Jacob Fishel
Willie O’Brien — Brendan Wall Matt Bogart
Nova/“Paradise Square” Dancer — Chloe Davis
Provost Marshal/Daniel Jenkins — Ben Michael
Sarah/"Paradise Square" Singer — Hailee Kaleem Wright
Blessed — Kayla Pecchioni
Amelia Tiggins — Erica Spyres
Elmer Woods — Mark Uhre Colin Cunliffe
Notification Officer/Way Station Attendant — Josh Davis
Janey Foster Erin West Kennedy Caughell —
Camp Butler — Bernard Dotson —
Levi Butler — Jacobi Hall —
Patrick Murphy — Chris Whelan —
Thomas Jefferson Stephane Duret —
Michael Jenkins Philip Callen —

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee Result
2022 Drama Desk Awards [17]
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Joaquina Kalukango Won
Outstanding Choreography Bill T. Jones, Garrett Coleman, and Jason Oremus, Gelan Lambert and Chloe Davis Won
Outstanding Music Jason Howland Nominated
Outstanding Wig and Hair Design Matthew B. Armentrout Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards [18] Outstanding New Broadway Musical Nominated
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Joaquina Kalukango Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical A.J. Shively Nominated
Outstanding Director of a Musical Moisés Kaufman Nominated
Outstanding Choreography Bill T. Jones, Alex Sanchez, Garrett Coleman, and Jason Oremus Nominated
Outstanding Score Jason Howland, Masi Asare and Nathan Tysen Nominated
Outstanding Orchestrations Jason Howland Won
Tony Awards [19] [20] Best Musical Nominated
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical Joaquina Kalukango Won
Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Sidney DuPont Nominated
A.J. Shively Nominated
Best Book of a Musical Christina Anderson, Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan Nominated
Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Jason Howland (music), Marcus Gardley and Nathan Tysen (lyrics) Nominated
Best Scenic Design of a Musical Allen Moyer Nominated
Best Costume Design of a Musical Toni-Leslie James Nominated
Best Lighting Design of a Musical Donald Holder Nominated
Best Choreography Bill T. Jones Nominated

References

  1. ^ "Check Out New Photos of the Broadway-Bound Paradise Square in Chicago". Playbill.com. November 9, 2021.
  2. ^ Paulson, Michael (May 9, 2022). "Highlights of the 2022 Tony Nominations: 'A Strange Loop' Has a Strong Showing". The New York Times.
  3. ^ "Berkeley Rep Extends PARADISE SQUARE Again!". Broadwayworld.com.
  4. ^ "Paradise Square". Broadwayinchicago.com.
  5. ^ "Review Roundup: Pre-Broadway Run of PARADISE SQUARE Opens in Chicago". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  6. ^ "Odds & Ends: New Musical Paradise Square Shifts Broadway Dates".
  7. ^ Paulson, Michael (July 11, 2022). "'Paradise Square' Will Close on Broadway After Winning One Tony". The New York Times.
  8. ^ Huston, Caitlin (July 14, 2022). "Actors' Equity to Add Producer Garth Drabinsky to "Do Not Work" List After 'Paradise Square' Cast Speaks Out (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  9. ^ https://playbill.com/article/paradise-squares-broadway-cast-album-sees-digital-release-kind-of
  10. ^ "Paradise Square Songs at Berkeley". issuu.com. Berkeley Rep. December 27, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  11. ^ "Paradise Square Songs in Chicago" (PDF). broadwayinchicago.com. Broadway in Chicago. November 1, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  12. ^ "Paradise Square Songs on Broadway". playbill.com. Playbill Vault. April 3, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  13. ^ "Back to a Simple Time, When Things Were About to Become Difficult". The New York Times. September 20, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  14. ^ "Paradise Square Cast at Berkeley". issuu.com. Berkeley Rep. December 27, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  15. ^ "Paradise Square Cast in Chicago" (PDF). broadwayinchicago.com. Broadway in Chicago. November 1, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  16. ^ "Paradise Square Cast on Broadway". playbill.com. Playbill Vault. April 3, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  17. ^ "66th Drama Desk Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  18. ^ "71st Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle Awards. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  19. ^ "2022 Tony Award Nominations". Tony Awards. May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  20. ^ Lewis, Hilary (June 12, 2022). "Tony Awards: Winners List (Updating Live)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 13, 2022.

External links

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