Paradise Now! at BNH Stage

Girlboss your way up the pyramid, but is Paradise at the top? theatre KAPOW closes its 16th season with the U.S. premiere of Paradise Now! by Margaret Perry at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage in Concord, NH June 7 - 9.

Margaret Perry’s new play brings together a group of women who join a multi-level marketing company selling a range of essential oils that soothe the myriad of life’s stresses. In Paradise, you’re your own boss. In Paradise, you could make a fortune. The women hope that they will find cures to the challenges in their own lives, but the road to Paradise is not so sure and smooth.  This funny and raging new play explores ambition, exploitation and the search for connection in a fractured world.

“‘Paradise’ is the name of the essential oils company,” says director Wanda Strukus. “and it’s also an extremely loaded concept; who among us would resist the offer of Paradise, especially when Paradise means the promise of community, friendship, support, financial independence, respect, and a meaningful life? We’re drawn to the fierce, funny, and fragile women of this dark comedy because they want and deserve the same things that we all want and deserve. I’m not saying the story ends in a sucker punch, but if it does, it’s up to all of us to ask, ‘why?”’

Following the matinee performance on Sunday, June 9th, Dr. Ann Hobrook from the Saint Anselm College English Department will facilitate a conversation regarding the play’s major themes.  Dr. Holbrook is particularly interested in how Perry’s play calls to attention the fact that multi-level marketing schemes are often specifically designed to target women.  The conversation which will include members of the cast and creative team will explore the broader cultural and societal impact of feminist dramatic literature. 

ASL Interpretation will be available at the Sunday, June 9 matinee performance at the BNH Stage in Concord, NH.