Paradise Square
music by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan
lyrics by Nathan Tysen
book by Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan
based on the songs of Stephen Foster
Originally produced at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Berkeley, CA
December 27, 2018 to February 17, 2019
About the Premiere Production:
Synopsis: t’s 1863 and in a 20-block area of Manhattan known as the Five Points, Black and Irish Americans live side by side, work together, marry, and for a brief period realize racial harmony. However, the intensifying Civil War soon results in the first-ever Federal draft, leading to riots as whites are called to enlist while blacks are barred from serving. Will the hard-won bonds of friendship, community, and family in the Five Points prevail or be severed forever?
Calling upon a variety of musical and dance traditions including Irish step-dancing and African traditional forms (Juba dancing), as well as new ones created from their fusion (tap dance), Paradise Square subverts and reframes some of the most popular music of the 19th century while honoring and celebrating this unique neighborhood’s diverse inhabitants, whose passionate, moving, and heartbreaking experiences burn in our imaginations today.
Director:Moisés Kaufman
Choreogrpaher: Bill T. Jones
Award Wins and Nominations
Tony Award®
Best Musical
2022 Nominee ; Produced in association with Peter LeDonne , Jeffrey A. Sine , Matthew C. Blank , Joe Crowley , RSR Finance LLC , Hunter & Mariana Milborne , Len Blavatnik , Joseph Coffey , Sherry Wright & Craig Haffner , Bernard Abrams , James Scrivanich , Rick Chad , Arthur M. Kraus , Broadway & Beyond Theatricals , Brian Luborsky , Gilbert & Elisa Palter , The Shubert Organization (Robert E. Wankel: Chairman and CEO; Elliot Greene: Chief Operating Officer; Charles Flateman: Executive Vice President) , Terry Schnuck , Urban One, Inc. , Robert Wolf , Richard Stursberg , Mark W. Everson , Sanjay Govil, Jeremiah J. Harris , Amabel James , Sheila C. Johnson , Dennis Mehiel , Louise H. and John G. Beard , Henry R. Muñoz III & Kyle Ferari Muñoz , Walter Swett , Zachary Florence and Berkeley Repertory Theatre (Tony Taccone, Artistic Director; Susan Medak, Managing Director)
Produced by Garth H. Drabinsky
Best Book Of A Musical
2022 Nominee
Book by Christina Anderson , Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan
Best Original Score Written For The Theatre
2022 Nominee
Music by Jason Howland
Lyrics by Nathan Tysen and Masi Asare
Best Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role In A Musical
2022 Winner
Joaquina Kalukango
Best Performance By An Actor In A Featured Role In A Musical
2022 Nominee
Sidney DuPont
A.J. Shively
Best Choreography
2022 Nominee
Choreographed by Bill T. Jones
Best Scenic Design Of A Musical
2022 Nominee
Scenic Design by Allen Moyer
Best Costume Design Of A Musical
2022 Nominee
Costume Design by Toni-Leslie James
Best Lighting Design Of A Musical
2022 Nominee
Lighting Design by Donald Holder
Drama Desk Award
Outstanding Actress In A Musical
2022 Winner
Joaquina Kalukango
Outstanding Choreography
2022 Winner
Choreographed by Bill T. Jones , Gelan Lambert , Chloe Davis , Garrett Coleman and Jason Oremus
Outstanding Music
2022 Nominee
Music by Jason Howland
Outstanding Wig And Hair Design
2022 Nominee
Hair and Wig Design by Matthew B. Armentrout