Keith Randolph Smith, Simone Missick, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Francois Battiste and Kristolyn Lloyd in Ruben Santiago-Hudson Helmed PARADISE BLUE by Dominique Morisseau at Signature Theatre, Extends through June 17th

Due to popular demand, Signature Theatre’s production of Paradise Blue by Obie Award-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau and directed by Tony Award-winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson, has been extended another week through June 17th in The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues).

Ruben Santiago-Hudson with his “Paradise Blue” cast Keith Randolph Smith, Francois Battiste, Simone Missick, J. Alphonse Nicholson and Kristolyn Lloyd after an alumni preview performance at Signature Theatre in New York on May 6, 2018. Photo by Lia Chang

The cast includes Obie Award-winner Francois Battiste (Head of Passes, “Ten Days in the Valley”), Kristolyn Lloyd (Dear Evan Hansen, The Liquid Plain), Simone Missick (“Luke Cage”), J. Alphonse Nicholson (“Tales,” “Luke Cage”), Keith Randolph Smith (Malcolm X, Jitney).

Francois Battiste, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Keith Randolph Smith & Kristolyn Lloyd. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

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. Paradise Blue is a thrilling and timely look at the changes a community endures to find its resilience.

The creative team includes Neil Patel (Scenic Design), Clint Ramos (Costume Design), Rui Rita (Lighting Design), Darron L West (Sound Design), Kenny Rampton (Original Music), Bill Sims, Jr. (Music Director), Charles G. LaPointe (Hair & Wig Design), Thomas Schall (Fight Director). Laura Wilson is the Production Stage Manager. Casting by Caparelliotis Casting.

Paradise Blue is generously supported by the Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater. Special thanks to Time Warner Foundation, Inc., The Michael and Betty Rauch Fund for Residency 5, and The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for supporting the Residency 5 Program. Dominique Morisseau’s Residency 5 is generously supported, in part, by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

To purchase tickets for all Signature Productions or to subscribe to the 2018-19 Season, call Ticket Services at 212-244-7529 (Tues. – Sun., 11am – 6pm) or visit www.SignatureTheatre.org.

Dominique Morisseau and Ruben Santiago-Hudson Set for “Paradise Blue” Pre-Show Discussion on May 9