No more results on this page
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.
This show will definitely be a Broadway hit. The cast is incredibly talented. The voices superb. I thought it was a bit too long. Wish the Let It Burn song sung by Joaquin Kalukango was the last song. It brought the house down. The last song felt anticlimactic.
This was our first time at the James M. Nederlander theater and it did not disappoint. Not only was the interior magnificent, it had stellar acoustics too. We thoroughly enjoyed the songs from the musical and the story line itself was captivating. I would definitely enjoy seeing it again!
I don’t know what I enjoyed more, the dancing or the music. Very well done with a tremendously talented cast.
Everyone should see this musical. It’s poignant for today. Cast was brilliant.
This show is phenomenal- not a weak link in the entire cast and ensemble. It’s Broadway bound and Broadway had better be ready because of this show doesn’t earn its fair share of Tony awards, the system is rigged. I’m an actor, and see a lot of theatre and stellar is not an adequate descriptor, but that’s all I got at the moment. Saving money to go see it again once it hits Broadway! Treat yourself people! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎭🎭🎭🎭
The new musical, Paradise Square, is the best show I have seen since Hamilton. The story is so timely, the music is wonderful and the dancing is amazing. The lyrics of the songs are epic! Joaquin’s Kalukango (Nelly) has a Tony in her future and well as the score and the show itself! Don’t miss this!!!!
Great show.but it definitely needs some work overall. I loved the Irish main character and the female lead. She got a standing ovation and deserved every bit of it.
This will do very well in NYC - needs about 10. min cut but otherwise loved it
Tremendously talented cast . Singing and dancing will win Tony next year for sure.
It was slightly dragging because of the repetitive Irish dances. But actors were very talented snd great!
Great talent singing especially the lead. Wow! The show does a good job of trying to handle a complex issue and provide entertainment too.
There is absolutely nothing that could be done to improve this show. The dance, song, set, lighting, and staging were wonderful. I'm a retired high school theatre teacher/director and I encourage every high school Theatre and Social Studies teacher to take their students to this show. I wouldn't have missed it for the world!
The intro provided sufficient information to "set the stage" and gain our interest. The story line could still be made tighter, and some of the songs dragged on longer than needed leaving one to get distracted and wonder when it would end. The actors were tremendous and the lead's voice is powerful with a melodic quality that captivates the audience. The scene between the SIL's was beautifully done and established a bond that transcends time and circumstances. The Irish and jazz dancing were very well done, but the dances surrounding the storyline of slavery need to be refined some, especially the dance telling the story of the abuse endured as the dance didn't align with the story. Also, the dances should be set back stage a bit more or even elevated somewhat in order for the people in the loge and balcony to see (we were in the front row of the loge and had to lean forward to see the footwork). Overall, the actors did a great job - I'd give them 4.5 stars, but the musical itself still needs some refinement to elevate it's status.
The two leads were outstanding. Dancing and singing were both very good. There were too many little subplots going on and things felt disjointed. The script was weak and the play itself was too long. I found myself not caring about any of the characters and wishing it would all come to a close. There needs to be a lot of revision for this puppy to be a Broadway hit.
We thoroughly enjoyed Paradise Square last Sunday. The cast & vocals brought down the house!!
Paradise Square is a top notch, talent filled, powerful production. It will be the next big Broadway hit musical. Don't miss it!
Loved it The historical story told in music The fabulous dancing The star was outstanding as was the co star!! Highly recommend
Paradise Square is a pale imitation of Ragtime. Flat and boring, we left ten minutes into the second half, bemoaning the $300+ we'd spent on two tickets.
This was a very entertaining show. Great singing, incredible dancing. We really enjoyed getting out again. I did not go home humming any of the tunes but well worth the trip to Chicago.
I took my 15 year old & my 12 year old to see this play!! It was there first time seeing a Broadway play in Chicago!! We loved it!!! The Story line was good for us to Learn about the Irish and the black perspective back then. The dancing was amazing!!! The singing was absolutely astounding!!!
