Paradise Square
New Musical Paradise Square Created by an Award-winning Crew
Paradise Square
Paradise Square takes us to a critical moment in the history of the United States, raising questions about American identity that are still at the fore of our public consciousness 150 years later.
Tony Taccone, Artistic Director
Paradise Square
New Musical Paradise Square Created by an Award-winning Crew
Why see Paradise Square?
A Powerful Tale Set at a Time Where Black and Irish Americans Walked Hand in Hand
New musical Paradise Square sees its world premiere early next year in San Francisco. With an award-winning and passionate cast and crew, this fresh musical not only entertains but depicts a story that happened over one hundred years ago with topics still relevant today.
Told alongside 19th century music and in between traditional Irish step-dancing and African Juba dancing, the story is set on a Manhattan block in 1863 where black and Irish Americans live and work in harmony before their lifestyles are challenged by the oncoming Civil War.
With whites enlisting and blacks being stopped from serving the country, will racial tensions finally start to come to the surface?
Creative
Directed by Moisés Kaufman
Written by Marcus Gardley and Craig Lucas
Choreographed by Bill T. Jones
Music is composed by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan
Lyrics by Nathan Tysen
Scenic design by Allen Moyer
Costume design by Toni-Leslie James
Lighting design by Donald Holder
Sound design by Jon Weston
Orchestrations and music supervision are by Howland
Reviews
Customer reviews
10 reviews, average rating: (3.1 Stars)
Carol Fusco
One of the best pieces of theater I've ever seen!
I said to my husband as we left the theater "Well, this is certainly headed to Broadway!" I loved everything about it. I'm a New Yorker and I never knew this vibrant part of my city's history. The actor's were wonderful, the singing beautiful. I loved the reworking of Foster's music. The dance is exceptional. I don't understand the criticism of the set - it served the narrative perfectly to my mind. I'm sooooo glad I didn't read the Chronicle review - totally, in my opinion, misses on almost all counts. I believe they also panned An Evening with Miao Miao, which was another Berkeley Rep production a few seasons ago that also as deeply moving as it was entertaining! Paradise Square is amazing. Go see it! ... Read more
JLASF
Not quite Paradise
Like a previous review - " So close" - I wanted to love this show. There are fantastic performers and terrific dances by Bill T. Jones. But it's not quite right yet. It needs a red pencil; there is a great show in there somewhere. Like "Ragtime" and "Newsies","Paradise Square" is set in New York City, mixing real people and invented characters. Based on Stephen Foster songs - "My Old Kentucky Home", "Oh, Susanna!" - it weaves a complex history of the "Five Points" area in the 1860's. It was a racially-integrated neighborhood where African Americans and Irish Americans lived together. But this tapestry gets tangled and the show drags at times. In my view, this is balanced by the exhilarating dances by Bill T. Jones, which contrasts Irish step-dancing and African Juba dance. The dance-off sequences are worth the price of admission, as is the "11 o'clock" number by Christina Sajous. who blows the roof off. The over-long first act was Purgatory, but Paradise is close. ... Read more
Kathy Kramer
Fabulous Play!
My husband, daughter, and I saw "Paradise Square" last night at Berkeley Rep.
Everything about it was terrific; the dancing, singing music, sets, and the intriguing
storyline, which brought history to life.
The Roda Theater at Berkeley Rep is small, and there isn't a bad seat in the house.
Our daughter is ten; this was a great way to learn about an event in American history
we knew nothing about. She enjoyed the performance as much as her Dad and I
did.
This play received the standing ovation it deserved;
Don't miss it! ... Read more
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