“Paradise Square”

Highly Recommended ****  It has been some time since Chicago had a Pre-Broadway” opening! Of course, the pandemic didn’t help, but now that theater is coming back, we are fortunate enough to have the pre-Broadway run of “Paradise Square” a new musical with a book by Christina Anderson, Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan. The music is by Jason Howland with lyrics by Nathan Tysen & Masi Asare. Kirwan is also the person who conceived the show and added some music to the score. Kirwan’s songs are inspired by the works of Stephen Foster and during the play, we learn more about Foster and his work. There is even a line in the play about his music, that it seems it was written as if those serving as slaves were enjoying the music about their lives. It makes one think a little deeper about racism and where we over 150 years after the story contained in the play took place.

The story takes place in an area of New York called Five Points, a rough area located  in Lower Manhattan. It was an area that was wild and home to the Black population that had been freed and Irish immigrants who had freed themselves called “home”. Over time, these two segments of society became “family” with many interracial marriages and even the escaped slaves found sanctuary in what they called “Paradise Square”.

Understand that there were other problems in the country at this time. A Civil War and a thing called the “draft” where rich people could buy their way out for $300 and Blacks were not invited to participate. The poor Irish immigrants were left to be taken into a fight they knew little about and they stirred up the riots that would be a disaster in the area.

The set  ( Allen Moyer) is one that allows for easy change of scenes making this two and a half hour show seem quicker. It has levels and rotates in a manner that it can become the bar where most of the action takes place. The score is powerful for the most part and Director Moises Kaufman shows his skill in using the stage to its fullest, but the dance ( choreographed by Bill T. Jones) is where this production truly shines. After all, while this story is about the culture and people of the times, it is also about dance. Yes! Dance is the underlying theme to this marvelous show and  the dancers in this production are amazingly talented. We all know Michael Flatley, “The Lord of the Dance”, right? These dancers can do him one better. The African Juva and the Irish Step/jig merged into what we call “tap” dancing and as we all know every big Broadway production has a toe-tapping tap number to wow us- well, this baby has some numbers that will take the wind out of you and put a smile on your face.

While the score is not special, being a new show I am pretty sure that when it comes back to Chicago after its Broadway run, we will see and hear different songs. Shows do change as they open. There are songs in this show that are powerful and one particular piece in the second act “Let It Burn” sung by Nelly ( Joaquina Kalukango is perfect for this role as the owner of the bar)  is a show-stopper. A standing ovation before the song was over and another when it was finished ( maybe 3 minutes of applause and cheers from the packed house at The Nederlander Theatre). I must tell you, a tear swelled up in each eye during this number!

“Paradise Square” will continue thru December 5th ( and then off to New York and Broadway) with performances as follows: