Overall Rating
4.5
By Jan
Work in Progress
James M. Nederlander Theatre - Chicago
Great cast but story is muddled in the first act. Moreover, choreography / direction needs to be rethought. In many scenes, the chorus inexplicably enters a scene when they should be deep in the background of the stage. Two characters were alone a moment ago and suddenly these same two characters are surrounded by a dozen singers who appear out of nowhere. Great closing number and a wonderful lead. But rethink your presentation.
By SusanneL
A wonderful experience
James M. Nederlander Theatre - Chicago
The singing was very good. The dancing was phenomenal!
By Ann
Bad Seats
James M. Nederlander Theatre - Chicago
The front row center of the balcony contains bad seats. The light bar affixed to the front of the structure prevents a clear view of the stage. We could not see the actors from the waist down. None of the dancing or movement was seen. We could not see the orchestra even when we stood up. These seats should be cheaper and especially should be labeled as "restricted view" like those at Wrigley Field baseball park that are behind a pillar.
By CSO
I loved every moment!
James M. Nederlander Theatre - Chicago
First, it was great to enjoy live theater again. The play was amazing. The acting, singing, dancing, story line and music were all excellent. I firmly believe that this is a play that will stand the test of time. Can’t wait to see it again and definitely will look for the soundtrack. Best of luck to all when they go to New York!
By MommaJ
Just. WOW. …….that is all
James M. Nederlander Theatre - Chicago
Funny thing . I was never more glad to have a mask on, halfway through the production I realized my mouth had been wide open in complete awe the entire time. Unbelievable.
By AC
Too loud
James M. Nederlander Theatre - Chicago
Way too loud and sound balance was off - could not hear much over the reverb.
By DG
Seat were a bit obstructed
James M. Nederlander Theatre - Chicago
The show was great but either the set was too big or the curtains needed to go back further. Two of my seat did not have a full view of the set. Be careful if you buy seats on furthest left side of Left Loge. The bar across the balcony also doesn’t help short people as myself.
By Just Jeff
Exceeded expectations
James M. Nederlander Theatre - Chicago
I'm not seen that much talent on a stage in years knock him dead on Broadway
By Dani
Theme
James M. Nederlander Theatre - Chicago
Very good voice and dance performance but show too long and racial tension theme is being overdone everywhere so left at intermission
By MR
Talented cast cannot save this show
James M. Nederlander Theatre - Chicago
The cast deserves a better vehicle than this production of “Paradise Square.” Too many story lines; too many characters, downright terrible lyrics, and uninteresting choreography.
New York City. 1863. The Civil War raged on. An extraordinary thing occurred amid the dangerous streets and crumbling tenement houses of the Five Points, the notorious 19th-century Lower Manhattan slum. Irish immigrants escaping the devastation of the Great Famine settled alongside free-born Black Americans and those who escaped slavery, arriving by means of the Underground Railroad. The Irish, relegated at that time to the lowest rung of America’s social status, received a sympathetic welcome from their Black neighbors (who enjoyed only slightly better treatment in the burgeoning industrial-era city). The two communities co-existed, intermarried, raised families, and shared their cultures in this unlikeliest of neighborhoods.
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, as Irish step dancing joyously competed with Black American Juba.
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.
Within this galvanizing story of racial harmony undone by a country at war with itself, we meet the denizens of a local saloon called Paradise Square: the indomitable Black woman who owns it; her Irish-Catholic sister-in-law and her Black minister husband; a conflicted newly arrived Irish immigrant; a fearless freedom seeker; an anti-abolitionist political boss, and a penniless songwriter trying to capture it all. They have conflicting notions of what it means to be an American while living through one of the most tumultuous eras in our country’s history.