Signature Theatre celebrated the official opening of Dominique Morisseau's new play Paradise Blue May 14. Directed by Tony winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson, the new drama takes place in a jazz club in Detroit’s gentrifying Blackbottom neighborhood in 1949.
The story follows Blue, a troubled trumpeter and the owner of Paradise Club, who is torn between remaining in Blackbottom with his loyal lover Pumpkin and leaving behind a traumatic past.
The cast includes Dear Evan Hansen's Kristolyn Lloyd, Francois Battiste (Head of Passes), J. Alphonse Nicholson (Luke Cage), and Keith Randolph Smith (Malcolm X, Jitney).
Paradise Blue is playing in the Signature's Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre, where it has been extended through June 10. Performances began April 24.
Read reviews for the Off-Broadway premiere below:
The Hollywood Reporter (Frank Scheck)
The New York Times (Jesse Green)
Time Out New York (Raven Snook)
Vulture / New York Magazine (Sara Holdren)
Playbill will continue to update with reviews as they are published.
The creative team for Paradise Blue includes Neil Patel (scenic design), Clint Ramos (costume design), Rui Rita (lighting design), Darron L West (sound design), Thomas Schall (fight direction), Kenny Rampton (original music), and Bill Sims, Jr. (music director). Laura Wilson is the production stage manager. Casting is by Caparelliotis Casting.
