# Paradise Square (musical)

Paradise Square is a stage musical, with music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Masi Asare and Nathan Tysen, and a book by Christina Anderson, Larry Kirwan and Craig Lucas. Set in New York City during the Civil War and the New York City draft riots, the musical follows conflict between Irish Americans and Black Americans. The production is directed by Moisés Kaufman and choreographed by Bill T. Jones, with intimacy direction by Gaby Labotka. The musical opened on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on April 3, 2022.
The show received mixed reviews from critics, and earned 10 nominations at the 75th Tony Awards, including Best Musical, with Joaquina Kalukango winning Best Actress.

## Background

The musical is based on Hard Times, conceived by Kirwan, which was originally presented Off Off Broadway in 2012 at Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre, under the direction of Kira Simring.

## Production history
### Berkeley (2018)

The musical premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Berkeley, California on December 27, 2018, for a limited run which was extended to March 3, 2019.

### Chicago (2021)

It had a pre-Broadway run at the Nederlander Theatre in Chicago from November 2 to December 5, 2021. The production opened to mostly positive reviews.

### Broadway (2022)

The musical began previews at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York City on March 15, 2022, prior to an official opening on April 3, 2022. It received mixed reviews and was subsequently closed briefly due to widespread COVID-19 issues amongst the cast and crew.
On July 11, 2022, it was announced the musical would play its final Broadway performance on July 17, due to low ticket sales. After several cast members and stage managers spoke out against the working conditions and unpaid benefits, Actors' Equity announced plans to put producer Garth Drabinsky on the "Do Not Work" list, effectively banning him from producing any future Broadway shows.
An Original Broadway Cast Recording was expected to be released in September 2022, with a national tour currently in development for the 2023-24 season, and international productions also in the works. However, due to financial and legal dealings with Drabinsky, the album is currently on hold with no date determined for the album release at this time.

## Cast and characters

| Character | Berkeley | Chicago | Broadway |
| Character | 2018 | 2021 | 2022 |
| Nelly O'Brien | Christina Sajous | Joaquina Kalukango | Joaquina Kalukango |
| Annie Lewis | Madeline Trumble | Chilina Kennedy | Chilina Kennedy |
| Frederic Tiggens | — | John Dossett | John Dossett |
| Washington Henry | Sidney DuPont | Sidney DuPont | Sidney DuPont |
| Owen Duignan | A.J. Shively | A.J. Shively | A.J. Shively |
| Reverend Samuel Jacob Lewis | Daren A. Herbert | Nathaniel Stampley | Nathaniel Stampley |
| Angelina Baker | Gabrielle McClinton | Gabrielle McClinton | Gabrielle McClinton |
| 'Lucky' Mike Quinlan | Kevin Dennis | Kevin Dennis | Kevin Dennis |
| Milton Moore | Jacob Fishel | Jacob Fishel | Jacob Fishel |
| Willie O’Brien | Brendan Wall | Matt Bogart | Matt Bogart |
| Nova/“Paradise Square” Dancer | — | Chloe Davis | Chloe Davis |
| Provost Marshal/Daniel Jenkins | Ben Michael | Ben Michael | Ben Michael |
| Sarah/"Paradise Square" Singer | — | Hailee Kaleem Wright | Hailee Kaleem Wright |
| Blessed | — | Kayla Pecchioni | Kayla Pecchioni |
| Amelia Tiggins | — | Erica Spyres | Erica Spyres |
| Elmer Woods | Mark Uhre | Colin Cunliffe | Colin Cunliffe |
| Notification Officer/Way Station Attendant | — | Josh Davis | Josh Davis |
| Janey Foster | Kennedy Caughell | — | — |
| Camp Butler | Bernard Dotson | — | — |
| Levi Butler | Jacobi Hall | — | — |
| Patrick Murphy | Chris Whelan | — | — |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2022 | Tony Awards | Best Musical | Best Musical | Nominated |
| 2022 | Tony Awards | Best Actress in a Musical | Joaquina Kalukango | Won |
| 2022 | Tony Awards | Best Featured Actor in a Musical | Sidney DuPont | Nominated |
| 2022 | Tony Awards | Best Featured Actor in a Musical | A.J. Shively | Nominated |
| 2022 | Tony Awards | Best Book of a Musical | Christina Anderson, Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan | Nominated |
| 2022 | Tony Awards | Best Original Score | Jason Howland (music), Marcus Gardley and Nathan Tysen (lyrics) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Tony Awards | Best Scenic Design of a Musical | Allen Moyer | Nominated |
| 2022 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Musical | Toni-Leslie James | Nominated |
| 2022 | Tony Awards | Best Lighting Design of a Musical | Donald Holder | Nominated |
| 2022 | Tony Awards | Best Choreography | Bill T. Jones | Nominated |
| 2022 | Drama Desk Awards |
| 2022 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Joaquina Kalukango | Won |
| 2022 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Bill T. Jones, Garrett Coleman, and Jason Oremus, Gelan Lambert and Chloe Davis | Won |
| 2022 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Music | Jason Howland | Nominated |
| 2022 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Wig and Hair Design | Matthew B. Armentrout | Nominated |
| 2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Outstanding New Broadway Musical | Nominated |
| 2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Joaquina Kalukango | Nominated |
| 2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | A.J. Shively | Nominated |
| 2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Moisés Kaufman | Nominated |
| 2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Choreography | Bill T. Jones, Alex Sanchez, Garrett Coleman, and Jason Oremus | Nominated |
| 2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Score | Jason Howland, Masi Asare and Nathan Tysen | Nominated |
| 2022 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Jason Howland | Won |
| 2022 | Chita Rivera Awards | Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show | Bill T. Jones, Garrett Coleman, Jason Oremus | Won |
| 2022 | Chita Rivera Awards | Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show | Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show | Nominated |
| 2022 | Chita Rivera Awards | Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show | Sidney DuPont | Nominated |
| 2022 | Chita Rivera Awards | Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show | AJ Shively | Nominated |