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.
Karen Burthwright, who previously starred in the Berkeley Rep production of Paradise Square, has an extensive theatre background including notable roles such as Shug Avery in The Color Purple and Leading Player in Pippin. more...
Kennedy Caughell, who has graced Broadway stages in productions like The Great Comet and Beautiful: the Carole King Musical, brought her extensive performance experience to the cast of Paradise Square. more...
Dwayne Clark, known for his performances in numerous Broadway hits including The Color Purple Revival and In The Heights, also graced the stage in Paradise Square. more...
Garrett Coleman, a two-time solo World Champion in Irish dance and cofounder of Hammerstep, made his choreographic debut on Broadway with Paradise Square, having previously contributed as both a choreographer and featured performer for the show's world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2019. more...
Colin Cunliffe, who has an extensive Broadway resume including notable performances in Paradise Square, was most recently seen in the world premiere of The Great Gatsby. more...
Chloe Davis, who performed in the ensemble of "Paradise Square" on Broadway, also served as the Associate Choreographer for the show, showcasing her multifaceted talent in both performance and choreography. more...
Kevin Dennis, a versatile Canadian actor with a rich twenty-year career in theater, film, and voice-over, played the role of "Lucky" Mike Quinlan in the World Premiere of *Paradise Square* at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, showcasing his talent under the direction of acclaimed figures like Moises Kaufman, Bill T. Jones, and Jason Howland. more...
John Dossett, a seasoned actor with a career spanning over four decades in NYC and notable for his Tony and Drama Desk-nominated performance in Gypsy, was part of the cast of Paradise Square. more...
Bernard Dotson, a seasoned performer with a rich history on Broadway and in national tours, brought his talents to "Paradise Square," showcasing his versatility and experience from shows like "Ragtime" and "Jesus Christ Superstar." more...
Jamal Christopher Douglas, who made his Broadway debut in Paradise Square, previously performed in the same production at Berkeley Rep. more...
Sidney DuPont, who was part of the world premiere of Paradise Square at Berkeley Rep, has also graced Broadway in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and toured nationally with productions like Memphis: the Musical and A Chorus Line. more...
Sam Edgerly, who has an impressive array of New York and regional credits, including a performance in Paradise Square at Berkeley Rep, has also been seen on television in shows like "Law & Order SVU," "Manifest," and "Inventing Anna." more...
Jacob Fishel, a Juilliard School graduate and recipient of the John Houseman Prize for Excellence in Classical Theatre, brought his extensive stage experience, including Broadway's Fiddler on the Roof and Off-Broadway's The Common Pursuit, to the cast of Paradise Square. more...
Shiloh Goodin, who performed in the regional production of Paradise Square, has an extensive background in both acting and choreography, including Off-Broadway and regional theatre, and has collaborated with renowned creatives like Victoria Clark and Michael Mayer. more...
Jacobi Hall, who portrayed Levi Butler in Paradise Square, has an impressive repertoire including roles in Pamela's First Musical and Netflix's Swallow, and has been recognized with a Broadway World Kennedy Center Musical Theater Award for his performance in The Single Girls Guide. more...
Sean Jenness, who has an extensive background in Broadway productions such as The Last Ship and Jekyll & Hyde, brought his versatile talents to the cast of Paradise Square, enriching the show with his vast experience from both stage and music. more...
Joaquina Kalukango, celebrated for her role as Nelly O'Brien in the Broadway musical Paradise Square, won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her outstanding performance. more...
Chilina Kennedy, who has a rich history of performances including her acclaimed role as Carole King in "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" on Broadway, was a notable cast member of "Paradise Square." more...
Gabrielle McClinton, who originated the role of Angelina Baker in Paradise Square on Broadway, has an impressive resume that includes starring as the Leading Player in Pippin both on Broadway and in its First National Tour. more...
Jay McKenzie, a Springfield, Massachusetts native and accomplished singer/songwriter, brought his talents to the cast of Paradise Square, following notable performances in Memphis (National Tour) and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Closing Broadway cast). more...
Ben Michael, an original cast member of Paradise Square at Berkeley Rep, has also showcased his talent in roles such as Henri in the National Tour of An American in Paris and The Beast in Beauty and the Beast at North Carolina Theatre. more...
Jason Oremus, a former lead of Riverdance and co-creator of the award-winning dance company Hammerstep, made his choreographic debut on Broadway with Paradise Square, after contributing as both a choreographer and featured performer for the show's world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 2019. more...
Eilis Quinn, who brought her vibrant talents to the cast of Paradise Square, has also showcased her versatility in regional productions like Saturday Night Fever and through performances with the Andy Cooney Irish Band and an Irish dance troupe in New York City. more...
Sara Sheperd, who has showcased her versatility in Broadway and National Tours such as Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Cry-Baby: The Musical, brought her extensive experience to the cast of Paradise Square. more...
Lee Siegel, who joined the Broadway-bound production of *Paradise Square* during its out-of-town tryout in Chicago in 2021 before it headed to Broadway's Barrymore Theatre in February 2022, has an extensive career including notable roles such as Simon Zealots in *Jesus Christ Superstar* and the Hawker in the 20th Anniversary revival of *The Who's Tommy*. more...
Nathaniel Stampley, known for his roles in Broadway hits like The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess and The Color Purple, brought his extensive stage experience to the cast of Paradise Square. more...
Lael Van Keuren showcased her talent in the regional production of Paradise Square at Berkeley Rep, adding to her impressive resume that includes Broadway's Sister Act and national tours of Finding Neverland and Sister Act. more...
Sir Brock Warren showcased his talents as part of the ensemble in Berkeley Rep's production of *Paradise Square*. more...
Hailee Kaleem Wright showcased her talent in the musical Paradise Square at Berkeley Repertory Theater, adding to her impressive repertoire that includes regional musicals and national tours. more...
Awards and Nominations
2022 Drama Desk Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Joaquina Kalukango was nominated but did not win.
2022 Outer Critics Circle Awards
Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Joaquina Kalukango was nominated but did not win.
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: A.J. Shively was nominated but did not win.
2022 Tony Awards
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: Sidney DuPont was nominated but did not win.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical: A.J. Shively was nominated but did not win.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical: Joaquina Kalukango won.
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