New York, 1863. As the Civil War rages on, free Blacks and Irish immigrants live and love together in Lower Manhattan’s notorious Five Points slum. The amalgamation between the communities took its most exuberant form with raucous dance contests on the floors of the neighborhood bars and dance halls. It is here in the Five Points where tap dancing was born. But this racial equilibrium would come to a sharp and brutal end when President Lincoln’s need to institute the first Federal Draft to support the Union Army would incite the deadly NY Draft Riots of July 1863.
With visceral and nuanced staging and choreography that captures the pulsating energy when Black and Irish cultures meet and set to a contemporary score that reimagines early American song, Paradise Square depicts an overlooked true-life moment when hope and possibility shone bright. Don't miss Tony-winner of Best Actress in Leading Role in a Musical Joaquina Kalukango.
2h 35m
March 15th, 2022
July 17th, 2022
12+
580 reviews on Show-Score
By: Christina Anderson, Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan
Songs by: Jason Howland, Nathan Tysen and Masi Asare
Director: Moises Kaufman
Cast list: Joaquina Kalukango, Chilina Kennedy, John Dossett, Sidney DuPont, A.J. Shively, Nathaniel Stampley, Gabrielle McClinton, Jacob Fishel, Kevin Dennis, Karen Burthwright, Kennedy Caughell, Dwayne Clark, Garrett Coleman, Colin Cunliffe, Chloe Davis, Bernard Dotson, Jamal Christopher Douglas, Sam Edgerly, Shiloh Goodin, Jacobi Hall, Sean Jenness, Jay McKenzie, Ben Michael, Jason Oremus, Eilis Quinn, Sara Sheperd, Lael van Keuren, Sir Brock Warren and Hailee Kaleem Wright
Design: Allen Moyer
Lighting: Donald Holder
Costume: Toni-Leslie James
Choreography: Bill T. Jones
Sound: Jon Weston
4 wheelchair spaces
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