“The collective humanity of the characters is wonderfully embellished by Jason Howland’s brilliant score, which draws on musical roots of both cultures.”
MUSICALCLOSED
Paradise Square
Opened Apr 3, 2022 · Closed Jul 17, 2022 · Ran for 3 months
2 Rave
10 Positive
13 Mixed
7 Negative
Critics' Take
An ambitious but overstuffed musical about Civil War-era New York that earns praise for Joaquina Kalukango's powerhouse performance and Bill T. Jones's thrilling choreography, though critics find the sprawling story unfocused and dramatically uneven.
This show has closed. Tickets are no longer available.
Critic Scorecard
32 reviews2 Rave
10 Positive
13 Mixed
7 Negative
Sort:
“Joaquina Kalukango whose memorable performance is certain to go down in the record books and be a top contender for the Tony Award makes this a must-see show.”
“Paradise Square is an ambitious musical that tackles issues of race, class, and immigration in Civil War-era New York with impressive performances and stunning choreography.”
“The resilience demonstrated by Kalukango’s character and others in Paradise Square seems fitting in a show that might have been prematurely written off as the latest big musical that couldn’t.”
“'Paradise Square' is the kind of new musical that Broadway needs more of: an original story that is ambitious, moving and entertaining, with a diverse cast singing in formidable harmony.”
Audience Scorecard
1.3K audience reviews
B
Shrugging
Awards Scorecard
2021-22 season69
Honored
Won Best Actress (Musical)
Drama Desk:2 wins / 3 nomsOuter Critics:1 win / 7 noms
Box Office Scorecard
source · Broadway League, publicAll Time
Frequently Asked Questions
What do critics say about Paradise Square?
An ambitious but overstuffed musical about Civil War-era New York that earns praise for Joaquina Kalukango's powerhouse performance and Bill T. Jones's thrilling choreography, though critics find the sprawling story unfocused and dramatically uneven. (CriticScore 62/100 from 32 reviews.)
Is Paradise Square worth seeing?
Only if you're a devoted fan. Critics are mixed on Paradise Square (62/100 from 32 reviews). Most suggest you could skip it.
What is the CriticScore for Paradise Square?
Paradise Square has a CriticScore of 62/100 based on 32 professional reviews. This show is rated "Mixed".
Is Paradise Square still running on Broadway?
No, Paradise Square has closed. It played at Ethel Barrymore Theatre and closed on July 17, 2022.
Theater Scorecard
Typical VenueThe Ethel Barrymore Theatre offers good sightlines with a well-raked mezzanine and minimal obstructions, though some box seats have limited views. Sound quality is average, with some reports of less than ideal acoustics. Comfort is typical for a Broadway theater, with decent legroom in some areas. However, facilities are lacking, with only one restroom on the lower level leading to potential congestion.
Original Broadway Cast
- Joaquina KalukangoNelly O'BrienWinner: Actress (Musical)
- Matt BogartWillie O'Brien
- Kevin Dennis'Lucky' Mike QuinlanBroadway debut
- John DossettFrederic Tiggens
- Sidney DuPontWashington HenryNom: Featured Actor (Musical)
- Jacob FishelMilton Moore
- Chilina KennedyAnnie Lewis
- Gabrielle McClintonAngelina Baker
Creative Team
- Moisés KaufmanDirector
- Christina AndersonBook
- Craig LucasBook
- Larry KirwanBook
- Jason HowlandMusic
- Jason HowlandMusic Supervision & Direction
- Nathan TysenLyrics
- Masi AsareLyrics
Quick Facts
- CriticScore
- 62/100 (32 reviews)
- Status
- Closed
- Opened
- Apr 3, 2022
- Closed
- Jul 17, 2022
- Run Length
- 3 months
- Synopsis
- Paradise Square is a stage musical, with music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Masi Asare and Nathan Tysen, and a book by Christina Anderson, Larry Kirwan and Craig Lucas. Set in New York City during the Civil War and the New York City draft riots, the musical follows conflict between Irish Americans and Black Americans.
- Data Last Updated
- October 7, 2026
