Berkeley Rep Extends PARADISE SQUARE Again!

Following an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences and critics alike, Berkeley Rep has announced that the world premiere of Paradise Square: A New Musical will extend for an additional week. The popular show will now run through Sunday, March 3.

Starting today, tickets for the added six performances can be purchased online at berkeleyrep.org and by phone at 510 647-2949.

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?

Calling upon a variety of musical and dance traditions including Irish step-dancing and African traditional forms (such as Juba dancing), as well as new ones created from their fusion (tap dance), Paradise Square subverts and reframes some of the most popular music of the 19th century while honoring and celebrating this unique neighborhood's diverse inhabitants, whose passionate, moving, and heartbreaking experiences burn in our imaginations today.

The world premiere is helmed by acclaimed director Moisés Kaufman, with choreography by the legendary Bill T. Jones and a book by Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas, and Larry Kirwan. Music by Jason Howland and Larry Kirwan, with lyrics by Nathan Tysen, and based on the songs of Stephen Foster. Paradise Square is produced by special arrangement with Garth H. Drabinsky in association with Peter LeDonne and Teatro Proscenium Limited Partnership.

The creative team includes Allen Moyer (scenic designer), Toni-Leslie James (costume designer), Don Holder (lighting designer), Jon Weston (sound designer), Matthew B. Armentrout (Hair/Wig Designer), Thulani Davis (Dramaturg), and Hammerstep (Irish Step Choreographers),

Cast members include Karen Burthwright (Ensemble), Kennedy Caughell (Janey Foster), Tiffany Adeline Cole (Swing), Garrett Coleman (Ensemble), Colin Cunliffe (Ensemble), Chloé Davis (Ensemble), Kevin Dennis (Mike Quinlan), Bernard Dotson (Camp Butler), Jamal Christopher Douglas (Ensemble), Sidney Dupont (William Henry Lane), Sam Edgerly (Ensemble), Jacob Fishel (Stephen Foster/Milton Moore), Shiloh Goodin (Ensemble), Jacobi Hall (Levi Butler), Daren A. Herbert (Rev. Samuel E. Cornish), Erin Lamar (Swing), Gabrielle McClinton (Angelina Baker), Ben Michael (Provost Marshal), Jason Oremus (Ensemble), Bridget Riley (Ensemble), Clinton Roane (Ensemble), Celia Mei Rubin (Swing), Christina Sajous (Annabelle "Nelly" Freeman), A.J. Shively (Owen Duignan), Erica Spyres (Ensemble), Madeline Trumble (Annie O'Brien), Mark Uhre (Elmer Woods), Lael Van Keuren (Ensemble), Brendan Wall (Willie O'Brien), Sir Brock Warren (Ensemble), Chris Whelan (Patrick Murphy), and Hailee Kaleem Wright (Ensemble).

For the 2018-19 season, Berkeley Rep recognizes the continued commitment and support of season sponsors BART, Peet's Coffee, and Wells Fargo. Berkeley Rep is also delighted to have Jack and Betty Schafer, Michael and Sue Steinberg, and The Strauch Kulhanjian Family on board as individual season sponsors. Paradise Square is made possible by executive sponsors Michelle Branch and Dale Cook, Gail and Arne Wagner, Jean and Michael Strunsky, and The Ira and Leonore S. Gershwin Philanthropic Fund. Special thanks to show sponsor Mechanics Bank Wealth Management. Paradise Square is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award.