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Go Inside the Rehearsal Room of Signature Theatre's Paradise Blue

Ruben Santiago-Hudson directs playwright Dominique Morisseau’s play, the first in her residency at Signature Theatre.

| Off-Broadway |

April 5, 2018

The company of Paradise Blue is hard at work in the rehearsal room prepping for performances set to begin April 24. — The company of *Paradise Blue* is hard at work in the rehearsal room prepping for performances set to begin April 24.
(© Gregory Costanzo)

Rehearsals are underway for Signature Theatre's New York premiere of Paradise Blue, written by Dominique Morisseau (Pipeline) and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Paradise Blue is the first play of Morisseau's Signature Residency, which will include three productions over the course of five years. The production will run April 24-June 3, with an official May 14 opening.

Playwright Dominique Morisseau's Paradise Blue is the first show of her Signature Theatre residency. — Playwright Dominique Morisseau's *Paradise Blue* is the first show of her Signature Theatre residency.
(© Gregory Costanzo)

Paradise Blue is described as follows: "In 1949, Detroit's Blackbottom neighborhood is gentrifying. Blue, a troubled trumpeter and the owner of Paradise Club, is torn between remaining in Blackbottom with his loyal lover Pumpkin and leaving behind a traumatic past. But when the arrival of a mysterious woman stirs up tensions, the fate of Paradise Club hangs in the balance." The show had its world premiere at the Williamstown Theatre Festival during its 2015 season.

Director Ruben Santiago-Hudson addresses the cast during rehearsal.
(© Gregory Costanzo)

The Signature cast features Francois Battiste (Head of Passes), Kristolyn Lloyd (Dear Evan Hansen), Simone Missick (Luke Cage), J. Alphonse Nicholson (Luke Cage), and Keith Randolph Smith (Jitney).

The cast of Paradise Blue: Simone Missick, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Kristolyn Lloyd, Keith Randolph Smith, and Francois Battiste. — The cast of *Paradise Blue*: Simone Missick, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Kristolyn Lloyd, Keith Randolph Smith, and Francois Battiste.
(© Gregory Costanzo)

The creative team includes Neil Patel (scenic dsesign), Clint Ramos (costume design), Rui Rita (lighting design), Darron L. West (sound design), Thomas Schall (fight direction), Kenny Rampton (original music), Bill Sims Jr. (music director), and Laura Wilson (production stage manager).

For tickets and more information, click here.