This past Saturday I finally got to see “Paradise Square” on Broadway, the penultimate performance of a troubled and way too short run! I’m thrilled that I have the opportunity to share with all of you just how phenomenal this show, its cast and message are, and I truly hope that great things lie ahead for this moving and inspiring piece.
Set in the 5 Points of New York City in 1863 amid the tumult of the Draft Riots, this story weaves a very different tapestry of what is often seen as the seedy underbelly of our city’s history. Here we see a group of people, brought together by their circumstances, fighting against the oppression placed upon them by those more fortunate. They find a way to share their lives, artistry and compassion with each other despite racial and cultural boundaries.
From the moment she steps onstage it is clear that Nellie O’Neill, played with panache, power and poise by 2022 Tony winning Best Actress in a Musical Joaquina Kalukongo. A bold, no-nonsense woman who was raised in the bar she now runs, everyone immediately knows who is boss. Her story, and that of those around her, artfully constructed by the writing team of Larry Kirwan, Christina Anderson and Craig Lucas winds its way through escaped slaves, new arrivals from famine-era Ireland and a dance competition with very high stakes.
The other star of the show is definitely the collaborative choreography of Bill T. Jones with Garrett Coleman and Jason Oremus of the Irish fusion dance group Hammerstep. They have blended historical slave dances, modern dance and the percussive and flashy traditional Irish stepdance into an impressive through-line for the piece. There are wonderful moments that evoke the people working in the fields and others which depict the abandon and joy of their newfound freedom.
The music written by Musical Director Jason Howland with additional music from Larry Kirwan, also combines the music hall songs of the day, spirituals and traditional Irish music.
Other standouts in the cast include: the spunky Chilina Kennedy as Nellie’s Irish sister-in-law Annie O’Neill, now married to the local pastor, who goes toe-to-toe with Nellie as her right-hand woman in the bar; A.J. Shively as Nellie’s Irish nephew Owen Duignan, fresh off the boat with a dancing talent that he hopes will be his ticket to security in America; and Owen’s dance competitor, Washington Henry (played at this performance by Alan Wiggins), an escaped slave who is awaiting the arrival of his love so that they can continue onto a new life in Canada.
Even the ensemble have their moment to shine as nearly every one of them is playing several different parts, and are all given good chunks of dialogue or lyrics to truly establish their characters.
As the pressure cooker of a show takes us along for the ride, it rumbles onto the dance competition, and then the invasion of the riots against the draft brings fire to their doorstep. Faced with giving in or letting go Nellie rallies everyone around her and they march out against the foes who have tried to keep them down.
Altogether, the show takes us through love, loss, fortitude, community, freedom, oppression and above all, hope. It was a fantastic experience and a tour is to follow in 2023 and, hopefully, a cast album as well. We will keep you posted on future plans.
