Paradise Square (musical)

Last updated

Paradise Square
ParadiseSquareMusical.jpg
Broadway promotional poster
Music Jason Howland
Lyrics Masi 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.

Contents

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

CharacterBerkeley [13] Chicago [14] Broadway [15]
201820212022
Nelly O'BrienChristina Sajous Joaquina Kalukango
Annie LewisMadeline TrumbleChilina Kennedy
Frederic Tiggens John Dossett
Washington HenrySidney DuPont
Owen DuignanA.J. Shively
Reverend Samuel Jacob LewisDaren A. Herbert Nathaniel Stampley
Angelina BakerGabrielle McClinton
'Lucky' Mike QuinlanKevin Dennis
Milton MooreJacob Fishel
Willie O’BrienBrendan WallMatt Bogart
Nova/“Paradise Square” DancerChloe Davis
Provost Marshal/Daniel JenkinsBen Michael
Sarah/"Paradise Square" SingerHailee Kaleem Wright
BlessedKayla Pecchioni
Amelia TigginsErica Spyres
Elmer WoodsMark UhreColin Cunliffe
Notification Officer/Way Station AttendantJosh Davis
Janey FosterKennedy Caughell
Camp ButlerBernard Dotson
Levi ButlerJacobi Hall
Patrick MurphyChris Whelan

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
2022 Drama Desk Awards [16]
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Joaquina Kalukango Won
Outstanding Choreography Bill T. Jones, Garrett Coleman, and Jason Oremus, Gelan Lambert and Chloe DavisWon
Outstanding Music Jason Howland Nominated
Outstanding Wig and Hair Design Matthew B. ArmentroutNominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards [17] Outstanding New Broadway MusicalNominated
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Joaquina Kalukango Nominated
Outstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalA.J. ShivelyNominated
Outstanding Director of a Musical Moisés Kaufman Nominated
Outstanding Choreography Bill T. Jones, Alex Sanchez, Garrett Coleman, and Jason OremusNominated
Outstanding Score Jason Howland, Masi Asare and Nathan Tysen Nominated
Outstanding Orchestrations Jason Howland Won
Tony Awards [18] [19] Best Musical Nominated
Best Actress in a Musical Joaquina Kalukango Won
Best Featured Actor in a Musical Sidney DuPontNominated
A.J. ShivelyNominated
Best Book of a Musical Christina Anderson, Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan Nominated
Best Original Score 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

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadway theatre</span> Type of theatre in New York City

Broadway theatre, or Broadway, is a theatre genre that consists of the theatrical performances presented in 41 professional theaters, each with 500 or more seats, in the Theater District and Lincoln Center along Broadway, in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Broadway and London's West End together represent the highest commercial level of live theater in the English-speaking world.

Garth Drabinsky is a Canadian film and theatrical producer and entrepreneur. In 2009, he was convicted and sentenced to prison for fraud and forgery. The sentence was reduced from 7 to 5 years in prison, on appeal to the Ontario Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear a subsequent appeal. In April 2023, a judge dismissed Drabinsky’s defamation lawsuit against American Actor’s Equity for placing him on their ‘Do Not Work’ list, and in July 2024 the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed this dismissal, along with his claim that the union's conduct violated antitrust law. Drabinsky has attempted 3 comebacks all resulting in failure and millions of investor dollars being lost.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gavin Creel</span> American actor, singer and songwriter (1976–2024)

Gavin James Creel was an American actor, singer, and songwriter best known for his work in musical theater. Over his career he received a Grammy Award, a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award and a Laurence Olivier Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Kirwan</span> Musical artist

Larry Kirwan is an expatriate Irish writer and musician, most noted as the lead singer for the rock band, Black 47, and conceiver/co-writer of Paradise Square, the Broadway Musical for which he received a Tony Award nomination.

American Buffalo is a 1975 play by American playwright David Mamet that had its premiere in a showcase production at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago. After two additional showcase productions, it opened on Broadway in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craig Lucas</span> American playwright, screenwriter, theatre director, musical actor, and film director

Craig Lucas is an American playwright, screenwriter, theatre director, musical actor, and film director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Clark</span> American musical theatre actress (born 1959)

Victoria Clark is an American actress, musical theatre soprano, and director. Clark has performed in numerous Broadway musicals and in other theatre, film and television works. Her voice can also be heard on various cast albums and in several animated films. In 2008, she released her first solo album titled Fifteen Seconds of Grace. A five-time Tony Award nominee, Clark won her first Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2005 for The Light in the Piazza. She also won the Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Joseph Jefferson Award for the role. She won a second Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2023 for Kimberly Akimbo.

The Live Entertainment Corporation of Canada, better known as Livent, was a theatre production company based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1989 by former Cineplex Odeon executives Garth Drabinsky and Myron Gottlieb, the company initially found success with its production of The Phantom of the Opera at its Pantages Theatre in Toronto. In 1993, they brought Kiss of the Spider Woman to Broadway, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical. They became known for lavish productions with their 1994 revival of Show Boat, and their ambitious 1998 original musical Ragtime.

David Norman Yazbek is an American writer, musician, composer, and lyricist. He wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway musicals The Full Monty (2000), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2005), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (2010), The Band's Visit (2017), and Tootsie (2019). His most recent projects include the musicals Dead Outlaw and Buena Vista Social Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethel Barrymore Theatre</span> Broadway theater in Manhattan, New York

The Ethel Barrymore Theatre is a Broadway theater at 243 West 47th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1928, it was designed by Herbert J. Krapp in the Elizabethan, Mediterranean, and Adam styles for the Shubert family. The theater, named in honor of actress Ethel Barrymore, has 1,058 seats and is operated by the Shubert Organization. Both the facade and the auditorium interior are New York City landmarks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raúl Esparza</span> American actor

Raúl Eduardo Esparza is an American actor and singer. Considered one of Broadway's most prominent leading men since the 2000s, he is best known for his Tony Award-nominated performance as Bobby in the 2006 Broadway revival of Company and for his television role as New York Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Rafael Barba in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, where he had a recurring role in Season 14 and was promoted to a series regular in Seasons 15 to 19.

<i>The Night That Made America Famous</i> 1975 musical revue featuring the songs of Harry Chapin

The Night That Made America Famous is a 1975 musical revue featuring the songs of Harry Chapin. The music consists of a combination of songs written for the musical and songs from Chapin's four previous albums, the latter including "What Made America Famous?", a song about a plumber who rescues a group of hippies from a fire. A lyric from that song gives the musical its title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jayne Houdyshell</span> American actress

Jayne Houdyshell is an American actress. Known for being a prolific character actor in theater, film, and television, Houdyshell has received numerous accolades including a Tony Award, two Obie Awards, and a Drama Desk Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carmen Cusack</span> American actress

Carmen Cusack is an American musical theater actress and singer. She is known for playing Elphaba in the Chicago, North American Tour, and Melbourne productions of the musical Wicked and for originating the roles of Alice Murphy and Clare Boothe Luce in the Broadway musicals Bright Star and Flying Over Sunset, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessie Mueller</span> American actress and singer

Jessica Ruth Mueller is an American actress and singer. She started her acting career in Chicago and won two Joseph Jefferson Awards in 2008 and 2011 for her roles as Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel and Amalia Balash in She Loves Me. In 2011, she moved to New York City to star in a Broadway revival of musical On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her performance as Carole King in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. She went on to receive two additional Best Actress in a Musical Tony Award nominations for her leading roles in Waitress (2016) and the Broadway revival of Carousel (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethan Slater</span> American actor and singer (born 1992)

Ethan Samuel Slater is an American actor, singer, writer, and composer known for his role as SpongeBob SquarePants in the musical of the same name, for which he received a Tony Award nomination and won a Drama Desk Award in 2018. During his career he has also acted in musicals directed by Kathleen Marshall, Barry Levinson, John Tartaglia, Bartlett Sher, and John Doyle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Kirdahy</span>

Thomas Joseph Kirdahy is an American Tony and Olivier Award-winning theatrical producer, film producer, lawyer, and activist.

<i>MJ the Musical</i> Jukebox musical

MJ the Musical is a jukebox musical based on the life of the American entertainer Michael Jackson, focusing on his creative process prior to the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. It features Jackson's music, with a book by Lynn Nottage, and direction & choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">75th Tony Awards</span> Awards ceremony

The 75th Tony Awards were held on June 12, 2022, to recognize achievement in Broadway productions during the 2021–22 season. The ceremony was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with Ariana DeBose serving as host of the main ceremony, and Darren Criss and Julianne Hough co-hosting a streaming pre-show.

<i>Patriots</i> (play) 2022 play by Peter Morgan

Patriots is a dramatic stage play by British playwright Peter Morgan. The play follows the life of billionaire Russian businessman Boris Berezovsky through the decline of the Soviet Union and the rise of the Russian oligarchs.

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 [ bare URL ]
  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. "Paradise Square Cast at Berkeley". issuu.com. Berkeley Rep. December 27, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  14. "Paradise Square Cast in Chicago" (PDF). broadwayinchicago.com. Broadway in Chicago. November 1, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  15. "Paradise Square Cast on Broadway". playbill.com. Playbill Vault. April 3, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  16. "66th Drama Desk Awards". Drama Desk Awards. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  17. "71st Outer Critics Circle Awards". Outer Critics Circle Awards. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  18. "2022 Tony Award Nominations". Tony Awards. May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  19. Lewis, Hilary (June 12, 2022). "Tony Awards: Winners List (Updating Live)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 13, 2022.