The staff was helpful and courteous
by Sal on 11/30/21James M. Nederlander Theatre - ChicagoIt would be safer if no one was allowed to eat or drink in the theater.They should be able to that at intermission.
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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.
It would be safer if no one was allowed to eat or drink in the theater.They should be able to that at intermission.
Loved the energy! The singing and dancing was amazing
First a t was a bit long but really enjoyed the show!
Great show, great music and dancing, loved it , highly recommend this show to family and friends.
The singing and dancing were phenomenal. The lead singer, Nellie, has a fabulous voice. I loved the juxtaposition of Irish dancing and African/Black dancing. It was a great show.
Seeing dance and hearing music in person again is such a gift.... And this musical does not disappoint. At first I feared another Disneyesque song fest, but was quickly disavowed of this fear. Many of the songs have roots in Irish or Black slave culture and they resonate. The dancing is wonderful. The energy of the show is contagious. The female lead sings "Let it Burn" and moves us to tears. There is almost too much moralizing, but in these times, it just may be what we need to some extent. However, the plot is somewhat confusing and the show is too long. I suggest edits before Broadway. Tightening up this show and maybe allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions on the moral in a little more subtle way, will make a hit. Good luck.
Best ever storyline, directing, acting, singing, dancing, et al. I was moved deeply and enthralled. I sat in row 1 Loge, but felt like I was a person in the scenario. Better than Hamilton? YES!
One of my most favorite shows ever -- and I have seen a lot of shows!! This show tells about a brief period of history that I had never known about. I highly recommend doing a little bit of research before seeing this show; it will be worth the effort to understand what the show is about. Research topics such as Five Points in NYC and the Draft Riots of 1863. Watch for this show to win MANY Tony awards. I feel so lucky to have seen this show before it moves to Broadway in February 2022.
Loved this performance. The cast was incredibly talented and it was fun being back able to watch a live show.
Paradise Square was everything I thought it would be...and more! The story drew me in from the minute the curtain went up......then the singing and dancing were spectacular! I only hope that Paradise Square is the next Hamilton and I can say I saw it when in Chicago!!
Historically poignant, good music, and excellent dancing.
Online theatre tickets worked. Great seats! Great show!
I loved learning g history I did not know and the music & cast were incredible. There may have been one too many ballads, but overall it is a must see for the political & racial climate we are living in today.
The show is amazing. The story is beautifully told. The music and dancing is amazing. This is so connected to today's world. We can support and thrive together. The actors are so talented. Get ready!!!
The show was amazing. Great singing and dancing. Entertaining, fun and sad. There was a lot going on with the story but it all wove together to tell a Story of that time period that still rings true today.
The cast is amazing and the show was really wonderful! So nice to be out for a night of theater for the first time since the pandemic began!! The lead woman who plays Nelly is simply incredible!! The choreography is fantastic, and every person in that talented cast who sang and/or danced was truly remarkable!! Story is easy to follow and understand. It taught me a lot about that period of time in our history. Great show!!
I’ve experienced twice why Paradise Square has received such rave reviews! This year I won’t miss the Tony Awards, expecting this production to receive awards for book, casting, lyricist, singing and acting, wardrobe, choreography, settings and director, even before reaching Broadway. And the icing on the cake is that Joaquina Kalukango’s chill bump raising rendition of “Let It Burn” definitely must be heard more than once in one’s lifetime!!
Very timely story. Joaquina Kalukango's singing as Nelly blew us all away and had a real show stopper as she defiantly stood outside her bar in the face of the 1864 draft riot. First show in 18 months and well worth the wait.
Very entertaining! Several storylines to draw you in. The singing and dancing are wonderful. This is a must see history lesson.
Paradise Square was Phenomenal!! The dancing and old-fashioned with a twist music was captivating throughout the whole story (The story itself was also Very Good). James Nederlander Theatre also added to the experience with a very clean theatre and polite and helpful attendants.