The Signature Theatre’s production of Dominique Morisseau’s play Paradise Blue began performances Off-Broadway April 24 ahead of a May 14 opening night. Tony winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson, who directed the world premiere at the Williamstown Theater Festival in 2015, helms a company made up of Francois Battiste (Head of Passes), Kristolyn Lloyd (Dear Evan Hansen), J. Alphonse Nicholson (Luke Cage), and Keith Randolph Smith (Malcolm X, Jitney).
Flip through photos of the show below:
Set in Detroit’s gentrifying Blackbottom neighborhood in 1949, the new play looks at the changes a community endures to find its resilience. 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.
Paradise Blue is the first play of Morisseau’s Signature Residency, which will include three productions over the course of five years.
The creative team 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.
