A pre-Broadway premiere of the bold and uncompromising new musical Paradise Square will have a limited run at Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre from 2 November-5 December 2021.

The musical, which examines a remarkable yet virtually unknown moment in American history, will be the first major pre-Broadway show to raise its curtain in Chicago after the prolonged closure of live theatre due to the global pandemic.

It’s 1863 and in a 20-block area of Manhattan known as the Five Points, Black and Irish Americans live side by side, work together, marry, and for a brief period realize racial harmony. However, the intensifying Civil War soon results in the first-ever Federal draft, leading to riots as whites are called to enlist while blacks are barred from serving. Will the hard-won bonds of friendship, community, and family in the Five Points prevail or be severed forever?

Directed by two-time Tony Award nominee Moisés Kaufman, the piece has choreography by two-time Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones, and a book by Christina Anderson, Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan. Ten-time Tony Award nominee Graciela Daniele will provide musical staging, in collaboration with Kaufman and Jones.

The score is by Grammy and Emmy Award winner Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen, with additional material provided by Masi Asare and Mr. Kirwan. The musical features original songs as well as a reimagining of the songs of Stephen Foster, who was writing and living in the Five Points at the time.

The multi-award-winning creative team also includes set designer Allen Moyer, costume designer Toni-Leslie James, lighting designer Donald Holder, and sound designer Jon Weston.

The world premiere of Paradise Square was produced in January 2019 by Berkeley Repertory Theatre. The musical is based on Hard Times, originally conceived by Mr. Kirwan, which was originally presented at the intimate Off-Broadway theatre, Nancy Manocherian’s the cell, in 2012.

With visceral and nuanced staging and choreography that captures the pulsating energy when Black and Irish cultures meet, Paradise Square depicts an overlooked true-life moment when hope and possibility shone bright.

Casting, Broadway venue and dates will be announced shortly.

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