Ron OJ Parson * ~ + Director

Dominique Morisseau Playwright
Orbert Davis Composer

Cast

Tyla Abercrumbie * + Silver

Ronald L Conner * Cornelius (Corn)

Charles Andrew Gardner * + P-Sam (Percussion Sam)

Kristin E. Ellis Pumpkin

Al'Jaleel McGhee Blue

Production Team

Brian Sidney Bembridge # ^ Lighting/Scenic Designer

Jared Bellot ^ Dramaturg

Taylor Barfield Assistant Director
Christine Pascual # Costume Designer
Christopher A. Kriz # Sound Designer
Mary O'Dowd Props Designer
Dina Spoerl Lobby Desiger
Richard Lundy * Stage Manager
Miranda Anderson * Substitute Stage Manager
Emily Arnold Costume Shop Supervisor
Sara Thornton Production Assistant
Taylor Lumpkin Wardrobe Supervisor
Neal Javenkoski Master Electrician
Cedar Larson Assistant Master Electrician
Matt Fayfer Equity Representative

Understudies

Taylor Barfield Corn

Ti Nicole Danridge Silver

Bernard Gilbert Blue, P-Sam

India Gurley Pumpkin

Reviews

Chicago Tribune

May 5, 2017

★ ★ ★. “A juicy and resonant piece of writing, filled to the brim with complex, empathetic characters struggling and infighting as part of a community living under extreme duress. It is not hard to become involved with their choices and worry about their futures. … Paradise Blue will not go quietly into your good night.“

—Chris Jones

Newcity

May 5, 2017

“Dominique Morisseau has demonstrated her ability to take narratives and turn them back on themselves, highlighting overlooked identities and ideas. Paradise Blue shines a light on a history that deserves to be seen.“

—Kevin Greene

Stage and Cinema

May 6, 2017

“Absolute authenticity is on this passionate stage. … A valedictory for a vanished world, Paradise Blue is faithful to TimeLine’s urge to make the past the present. … Paradise Blue takes us back—beautifully.”

—Lawrence Bommer

Chicago Theatre Review

May 7, 2017

“Everyone in this talented cast is wonderful. … [Dominique Morisseau’s] new drama is a look at a forgotten time and place.”

—Colin Douglas

Third Coast Review

May 10, 2017

“TimeLine Theatre’s production adds a superb original score by Orbert Davis to accompany the cast of five…[Davis] weaves a musical thread that beautifully supports and never intrudes on the drama.”

—Nancy Bishop

Windy City Times

May 17, 2017

“[The actors] are a phenomenal lot who bring honesty, passion and even delicacy to their portrayals, particularly Kristin E. Ellis as vulnerable, poetic Pumpkin and Al’Jaleel McGhee as Blue, the demanding central role. … Paradise Blue offers passions and impressions aplenty.”

—Jonathan Abarbanel

WDCB 90.9 FM: The Dueling Critics

June 7, 2017

“Beautifully, beautifully acted. Dominique Morisseau has written some delicious scenes, and wonderful dialogue and characters…Extremely enjoyable. … Go to see a group of superior actors create a film noir right before your very eyes.“

—Kelly Kleiman and Jonathan Abarbanel

Features

WGN 720 AM: Behind the Curtain

May 4, 2017

Listen to host Paul Lisnek discuss TimeLine’s upcoming 2017-18 season with Artistic Director PJ Powers on WGN Radio’s “Behind the Curtain” (Segment starts at 16:51).

Listen to the segment