(front) Jacobi Hall, (back) Garrett Coleman and Jason Oremus in Paradise Square at Berkeley Rep.
Photo by Alessandra Mello.

The amalgamation between the communities took its most exuberant form with raucous dance contests on the floors of the neighborhood bars and dance halls. It is here in the Five Points where tap dancing was born, as Irish step dancing joyously competed with Black American Juba.

But this racial equilibrium would come to a sharp and brutal end when President Lincoln’s need to institute the first Federal Draft to support the Union Army would incite the deadly NY Draft Riots of July 1863.

The Company of Paradise Square at Berkeley Rep. Photo by Kevin Berne.

Within this galvanizing story of racial harmony undone by a country at war with itself, we meet the denizens of a local saloon called Paradise Square: Nelly Freeman (Joaquina Kalukango), the indomitable Black woman who owns it; Annie O’Brien (Chilina Kennedy), her Irish-Catholic sister-in-law and her Black minister husband, Rev. Samuel Jacob Lewis (Nathaniel Stampley); Owen Duignan (A.J. Shively), a conflicted newly arrived Irish immigrant; Washington Henry (Sidney DuPont), a fearless freedom seeker; Frederic Tiggens (John Dossett), an anti-abolitionist political boss, and Milton Moore (Jacob Fishel), a penniless songwriter trying to capture it all. They have conflicting notions of what it means to be an American while living through one of the most tumultuous eras in  our country’s history.

Gabrielle McClinton and Sidney Dupont in Paradise Square at Berkeley Rep. Photo by Kevin Berne.

The world premiere  was produced in January 2019 by Berkeley Repertory Theatre. The musical is based on  Hard Times, 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.

(front) Sidney Dupont and A.J. Shively, (back) Jacob Fishel, Daren A. Herbert and Madeline Trumble
in Paradise Square at Berkeley Rep. Photo by Kevin Berne.

The musical is produced by Garth H. Drabinsky, marking a return of the once ubiquitous Canadian theater executive following years of legal and financial woes around his former company Livent. Drabinsky, whose previous Broadway productions included  Kiss of the Spider Woman, Show Boat, Ragtime  and  Fosse, is teamed on  Paradise Square  with  longtime colleague Peter LeDonne, who co-produces.

The creative team features direction by Kaufman (I Am My Own Wife, The Laramie Project), choreography by Jones (Spring Awakening, Fela!), book by Christina Anderson, Marcus Gardley, Lucas and Kirwan. Graciela Daniele (Ragtime, Once on This Island) will provide the musical staging, in collaboration with Kaufman and Jones.

Jason Oremus & Garrett Coleman and the company of Paradise Square at Berkeley Rep.
Photo by Kevin Berne.

The score is by the team of Jason Howland (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) and Nathan Tysen (Tuck Everlasting), with additional material provided by Masi Asare and 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 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 Off Broadway in 2012.

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THE CAST

Joaquina Kalukango  (Nelly Freeman) received a 2020 Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her performance as Kaneisha in the critically acclaimed Broadway production of  Slave Play. For that production, she also received an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Actress and Broadway.com listed her as one of the top five performers (male or female) of the year. Joaquina is a 2021 SAG Award nominee for Cast in a Motion Picture for her role as Betty X opposite Kingsley Ben-Adir in Regina King’s directorial debut,  One Night in Miami. Additionally, she recently recurred on the HBO series, “Lovecraft Country.” Other TV credits include Ava DuVernay’s Netflix series, “When They See Us,” and “Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia,” directed by Kenny Leon. Recent Broadway credits include:  The Color Purple,  Holler If Ya Hear Me  and  Godspell.

Chilina Kennedy  (Annie O’Brien) recently played Elle in the one-woman play  The Human Voice  (filmed for Toronto’s Ontario International College) and starred as Dina in the International Tour of  The Band’s Visit  opposite Sasson Gabay (Toronto Theatre Critics’ Award). Broadway: Carole King in  Beautiful: The Carole King Musical  (over 1200 performances) and Mary Magdalene in Des McAnuff’s  Jesus Christ Superstar. Off-Broadway: originated the role of Binky in Stephen Trask and Peter Yanowitz’s  This Ain’t No Disco  (Atlantic Theater Company). 1st National Tour: Sophie in  Mamma Mia!  Film:  With Me  (BravoFact, NY Shorts and Whistler Film Festivals). Selected Regional: Phoebe in  A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder  (CT and San Diego Critics’ Circle Nominations), Evangeline in  Evangeline  (original production and album), Philia in Des McAnuff’s  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum  (Toronto/Mirvish),  Ross Petty’s Pantomime  The Little Mermaid  (Toronto Theatre Critics’ Award),  three seasons at the Stratford Festival, three seasons at the Shaw Festival and  The Lord of the Rings  (World Premiere Mirvish/Toronto). Chilina is currently developing a show that she composed and co-wrote with Eric Holmes,  Call It Love.  She is also the Artistic Producer of Toronto’s Eclipse Theatre Company.  www.chilinakennedy.com

John Dossett  (Frederic Tiggens) has been a professional actor in NYC since 1979. He has appeared in 18 Broadway productions. Among them  War Paint,  Newsies,  Pippin,  The Constant Wife,  Gypsy  (Tony and Drama Desk nominations),  Ragtime,  Democracy,  Prelude to a Kiss. Off-Broadway:  Dear Evan Hansen  (Second Stage),  Giant  (Public Theater, Drama Desk nomination),  Saved  (Playwrights Horizons),  The Clean House  and  Hello Again  (LCT),  Dinner with Friends. As a Company Member of Circle Rep:  Reckless,  The Diviners,  Childe Byron,  Dalton’s Back,  Sunshine,  El Salvador, others. TV/Film: “Madam Secretary,” “Blue Bloods,” “Elementary,” “Law & Order(s),” “Sex and the City,”  and  HBO’s “John Adams.”

Sidney DuPont  (Washington Henry) is humbled to bring this character and powerful story to the stage. DuPont was last seen in  Beautiful: The Carole King Musical  on Broadway, as well as the 1st National Tour and Australian Company. Some other favorite National Tours include  Memphis: The Musical  and  A Chorus Line. DuPont  has also appeared in regional productions including the world premiere of  Paradise Square  (Berkeley Rep.),  Man of La Mancha  (The Shakespeare Theater),  In the Heights  (The Geva Theater),  and  Gypsy  (North Carolina Theater). Television:  “FBI: Most Wanted”  (CBS). In recent years, DuPont has also stepped behind the scenes as a director, editor, cinematographer and award-winning screenwriter. A gigantic thank you to my incredible family, friends and agents, you all inspire me daily. Who am I?:I am the conclusion of my Ancestors’ story and I am the prologue to my descendants wildest dreams. You can continue to follow Sidney’s journey on Instagram: @SidneyDuPont.

A.J. Shively  (Owen Duignan). Broadway:  Bright Star  (Drama Desk Nomination);  La Cage aux Folles. National Tour:  Bright Star;  The Sound of Music. Off Broadway/New York:  February House  (The Public);  Brigadoon  (Irish Rep);  The Suitcase Under the Bed  (Mint);  Unlock’d  (Prospect);  A Contemporary American’s Guide to a Successful Marriage  (Cherry Lane);  Things To Ruin  (Second Stage);  Little Airplanes of the Heart  (Ensemble Studio Theatre);  ReWrite (Urban Stages); NYMF; Fringe NYC. Regional: Berkeley Rep.; Kennedy Center; Old Globe; CTG; McCarter; Pioneer; CenterStage; TUTS; George Street Playhouse; Long Wharf; TheatreWorks – Silicon Valley. TV/Film: “Hunters”; “Homeland”; “Madam Secretary”; “The Blacklist”; “Younger”; “The Daily Show”;  Nobody Walks In LA;  From Nowhere;  Syrup;  HairBrained. Training: University of Michigan; RADA.

Nathaniel Stampley  (Rev. Samuel Jacob Lewis). Broadway:  Cats,  The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,  The Color Purple  (original and revival),  The Lion King  (Broadway, West End). Off-Broadway:  The Secret Life of Bees, Atlantic Theater Company;  Big Love, Signature Theatre NY;  The First Noel, Classical Theatre of Harlem (AUDELCO nomination). Regional:  Paul Robeson, Crossroads Theatre Company;  Man of La Mancha  (Jeff Award),  The Bridges of Madison County  (Jeff nomination), Marriott Theatre;  Pacific Overtures, Chicago Shakespeare Theater;  Violet,  Once on This Island  and  Big River  (Jeff nomination), Apple Tree Theatre;  Dreamgirls, Milwaukee Repertory Theater. He is a Lunt-Fontanne Fellow (Ten Chimneys Foundation) www.nathanielstampley.com

Gabrielle McClinton  (Angelina Baker) originated the role of Angelina Baker in Paradise Square at Berkeley Rep. Gabrielle recently starred as the Leading Player in the Australian debut of  Pippin  after playing the role on Broadway & 1st National Tour. She originated the role of Anita in Francesca Zambello and Julio Monje’s  West Side Story  at Houston Grand Opera. Broadway:  Chicago,  Pippin. 1st National Tour:  Pippin,  American Idiot. Regional: South Coast Repertory, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Alliance Theatre, St. Louis Muny, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. TV/Film: “86’D,” “The Mentalist,”  Won’t Back Down,  Fun Size. BFA Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.  www.GabrielleM.com

Jacob Fishel  (Milton Moore). Broadway:  Fiddler on the Roof. Off-Broadway:  King Lear,  The Broken Heart  (TFANA),  The Common Pursuit  (Roundabout Theatre Company),  Titus Adronicus  (Public Theater),  Women Beware Women  (Red Bull Theater),  Macbeth  (NYSF). Off-Off Broadway/Regional:  Paradise Square  (Berkeley Rep.),  Henry V,  As You Like It  (Two River Theater Company),  Our American Hamlet  (Commonwealth Shakespeare Company),  Sense and Sensibility  (The Folger Theatre),  The Real Thing  (Intiman Theatre Company),  What  Happened When  (Rising Phoenix Rep). Television: “Elementary,” “Cold Case, “Medium,” “Without a Trace,” “Numb3rs.” Film:  A Night Without Armor, Across the Sea,  How I Got Lost.

Kevin Dennis  (‘Lucky’ Mike Quinlan). Kevin is honored to create this role, marking his Chicago and Broadway debuts. Canadian Theatre: Frederick in Young Frankenstein  (Stage West);  Assassins  (TIFT/Birdland);  Sweeney Todd,  Romeo and Juliet  (Neptune Theatre); Touchstone in  As You Like It  (Citadel);  A Year with Frog and Toad  (YPT);  The Beard of Avon,  Hair  (Canadian Stage);  Gypsy,  Floyd Collins,  Widowers’ Houses,  Happy End  (Shaw Festival);  Forever Plaid  (Charlottetown Festival). Film/TV:  8-Bit Christmas  (Warner Bros.);  Titans  (DC Comics); “Murdoch Mysteries” (Ovation); “11.22.63” (Hulu); “Reign” (CBS); “Orphan Black” (BBC America); “The Strain” (FX). Love to Adrienne and all my friends and family back home in Canada! Twitter/Instagram/TikTok: @gottabekdee

Karen Burthwright  (Ensemble). Theatre credits include Leading Player in  Pippin  (Nebraska Repertory Theatre – contract cut short during rehearsals  due to Covid-19), Shug Avery in  The Color  Purple  (Neptune Theatre, 2020 Merritt Award Best Supporting Actor, The Citadel/RMTC),  Paradise Square  (Berkeley Rep.), Woman 2 in  I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change  (George Street Playhouse), Janet in  Play Like A Winner  (NYMF 2017). Broadway/Off Broadway: Soul Sister in  Jesus Christ Superstar  (2012 Revival), Princess Who Kissed the Frog in  Disenchanted  US/Dance Captain (Westside Theatre);  Chicago: Nickie in  Sweet Charity  (Writers’ Theatre),  Ragtime,  The Hot Mikado, and  Aida  (Drury Lane Oakbrook). Regional/Canada:  Sousatzka  Swing/Dance Captain (The Elgin Theatre);  Cabaret  (Cape Playhouse); Brenda in  Smokey Joe’s Cafe  (FST); Soul Sister in  Jesus Christ Superstar  (La Jolla Playhouse/Stratford Festival). National tours: Featured female vocalist in  Dirty Dancing; Dynamite in  Hairspray; Lisa in  Mamma Mia! @kburth and karenburthwright.com.

Kennedy Caughell  (Ensemble) is a Broadway performer and voice over artist, who is based out of New York City. She got her BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University. Shortly after graduating, she performed across the nation and abroad as Heather in  American Idiot. Kennedy then traveled the country by broomstick in the national tour of  Wicked, covering the role of Elphaba. She performed on Broadway in  The Great Comet  with Josh Groban and was most recently seen playing Carole King in the Broadway and National Touring production of  Beautiful: The Carole King Musical  before the shut-down. Some of her favorite regional roles include  Mary Poppins  (Mary),  White Christmas  (Betty),  Beauty and the Beast  (Belle),  Peter Pan  (Peter) and  Into the Woods  (Little Red).  Catch her on TV in “Law & Order: SVU,” “Parked For Love,” and “The Outlier.” Twitter/Insta: @KennedyCaughell.  www.kennedycaughell.com  Psalms 9:1