Paradise Square Reviews

Robert from New York, New York

PARADISE

Although this show may have its flaws it as well acted the singing is fabulous and the actors do a great job. I recommend this for a fun night out, forget the reviews this is worth it .

KBE from Chicago, Illinois

DISAPPOINTING SCRIPT

Unfortunately, this show was a disappointment. Although there were a few shining moments, there was little to keep us enthralled with this musical. The choreography was entertaining, although it seemed as though quite a bit of it was repetitive. There were really no weak performances; just a weak script and a lackluster set. Overall, this show needs a lot of work prior to a Broadway opening. It just doesn't emotionally involve the audience and there was a lack of focus in the script. I never felt connected to any of the characters.

P.J. from Chicago, Illinois

HOPE TO SEE SOME MODIFICATIONS

Just came from the show. As other reviews have said, the lead actress is fabulous. The show, however, drags and seems longer than the 2 hours and 45 minutes. There isn't a lot of variation in the music and staging - a lack of building crescendos in story line music but some said moments. It does feel like it needs editing - not EVERY theme needs explored. And the spinning of the saloon set seemed unnecessary at times and hard to discern if the actors were inside or outside -and if it was relevant. While dance seems important to the story, separate dance numbers are sprinkled throughout the show way too much. And why do the dancers have to sing in a dance contest? And repeat a song? Hoping the producer and director make modifications to make this a tighter and more dynamic show.

Anonymous from Chicago, Illinois

TALENT AND ARTISTRY GALORE HELD BACK BY PLOT

Come for the immensely talented cast. You'll see first-rate dancing and hear powerful singing backed by an excellent orchestra. The plot holds so much promise: a 19th century enclave in which free Blacks and poor Irish immigrants live with dignity, united in friendship and intermarriage, even influencing the culture through music and dance. However, the plot is disjointed, and contemporary identity politics looms large, yielding speeches that would be incomprehensible to the nineteenth-century Americans portrayed. One's virtue and status comes from the degree to which one's identity group has been oppressed. Several Irish characters are round, but every Black character is flat, without a single flaw. Black characters have the last, triumphant word in every conflict. The creative mixing of artistic traditions could not be celebrated due to a fear of cultural appropriation. The climactic song ("Let it Burn") made no sense in the plot except to give tacit approval to violent protests.

D.I. from Chicago, Illinois

PARADISE SQUARE DELIVERS...ALMOST NOTHING.

Despite some brilliant performances, as well as fabulous dancing and production values, the potentially inspiring, beautiful idea behind "Paradise Square" falls victim to a book and lyrics that would make a high school student blush. There is no tension, no character development, and not one truly moving moment in this (very long) evening. Making things worse is a score which, although beautifully orchestrated, is completely absent of any emotional content or even one memorable song, though it is only fair to say that the complete lack of any inspiring lyrics did not help the composer. The good news is that this show can still be saved before it gets to New York if the lyrics and score are substantially improved, the dialogue overhauled, and the ridiculous device of having the main character narrate the beginning and end (apparently, needed an explanation of why the play is important and what it means) is removed. There is hope, but the producers better get moving quickly.

David Edelberg from Chicago, Illinois

HOPING THIS WOULD BE BETTER!

Here is one show that has an incredibly talented cast bogged down by a boring overly long book and several songs whose absence would not be missed in the least. Although the choreography was excellent, you began to think you were watching the same routines over and over again. Positives were the strengths of the singers, the skills of the dancers. But on my left, the female audience member fell asleep and snored. On my right, my wife mumbled "We ought to have left at half-time."

Mary Jacobsen from Oak Park, Illinois

BLAND

I think the energy of Hamilton has ruined me for other historical Broadway shows. It felt like the energy was being held back, amateur Irish dancing and repetitive choreography overall. I would be surprised if this makes it on Broadway. The storyline was minimal and no connection to characters. And I really didn’t understand their repetitive put down of Lincoln all the while wanting freedom. Dodging the draft by immigrants endorsed. Freedom isn’t free.

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