‘Paradise Square’: How an Ambitious Broadway Musical Got Overshadowed by Lawsuits, Unpaid Bills and Alleged Bullying
variety.comBroadway musical “Paradise Square,” pours out of star Joaquina Kalukango in a torrent of pain and frustration over the hurt that her character has been forced to endure during the show.
That song and its themes have taken on an added resonance with the cast and crew of the production after it closed abruptly on Sunday. “Paradise Square,” which earned Kalukango a Tony and was nominated for nine others, has been overshadowed by a series of lawsuits and allegations that producer Garth H.
Drabinsky cut corners, engaged in tyrannical behavior and failed to pay bills and benefits. Last week, several cast members took to social media to speak out about their experiences on the show.
On TikTok, ensemble member Hailee Kaleem Wright urged the public to see “Paradise Square” during its final week while alluding to the backstage drama. “See the greatness, see the show, see the magic… so that your heart can break even more when you find out all the shit that’s been going on,” she said.“Paradise Square’s” implosion has dominated chatter around the tight-knit Broadway community, where rumors that production was in jeopardy have circulated for months.
