Passion and Danger Clash in Dominique Morriseau’s
Breathtaking Drama Paradise Blue at Studio Theatre
Paradise Blue
Studio Theatre
Jordan Wright
May 5, 2025
Amari Cheatom (Blue) and Marty Austin Lamar (Corn) in Paradise Blue at Studio Theatre (Photo/DJ Corey Photograhy)
Passion, danger and business clash in 1949 Detroit in this breathtaking drama from Playwright Dominque Morisseau – part of her Detroit trilogy. A drama so explosive and emotionally charged it will have you leaning in hard. Set in the Black Bottom neighborhood in 1949, a man named Blue runs the Paradise Club with an iron hand, a fierce loyalty to his trumpet and his love for a naïve young woman named Pumpkin. The hot-headed Blue is haunted by the demons of his father, who was also a trumpeter and whose murderous sins cast a long shadow of guilt onto Blue.
Blue’s house band, the Blue Black Bottom Band, consists of Blue on horn; Corn, a tender-hearted piano man with a soft spot for Silver; P-Sam, a man frustrated with his life and consumed with secret dreams of acquiring the Paradise and Pumpkin; and a bassist who recently quit the band. It’s a successful joint with no real reason for Blue to sell, except the mayor has plans to buy up the old buildings and gentrify this long-established Black neighborhood. Blue sees it as an opportunity to take the money and run when along comes Silver from New Orleans. Silver is a savvy, sultry, take-no-prisoners beauty who captivates the men. Blue tells her, “We don’t need your backwater hoodoo!”
Ro Boddie (P-Sam) and Anji White (Silver). (Photo/Margot Schulman)
She rents a room above the club and quickly insinuates herself into the dynamics of the club’s business while teaching Pumpkin, a poetry lover, the fine art of being an independent woman. Nicknamed the “Spider Woman” for her way with men, Silver freely admits she shot and killed her husband and she’s still packing a loaded gun. “I prefer the heat in the bedroom, not the kitchen,” she tells Pumpkin.
Brilliantly staged, dynamically directed and exquisitely performed in the new Victor Shargai Theatre, the room is set up cabaret style with a long bar offering an extensive drink and light fare menu by Kbird. Patrons are seated at small round tables with full view of the room and a small stage where some of the action takes place, but it’s mostly immersive as the actors move freely throughout the room.
Kalen Robinson (Pumpkin) and Amari Cheatom (Blue). (Photo/DJ Corey Photography)
Paradise Blue is one of the very best works this reviewer has seen. A powerhouse of a play evoking some of the greatest American playwrights. (I felt Tennessee Williams and August Wilson were in that very room.) Every element from cast to production was impeccably thought out – acting, lighting, staging, set design, sound design, costumes and musical direction.
Highly recommended! An absolute triumph!!!
With Kalen Robinson as Pumpkin; Amari Cheatom as Blue; Ro Boddie as P-Sam; Marty Austin Lamar as Corn; and Anji White as Silver. Musicians – Mark Saltman as Bassist and Michael A. Thomas as Trumpeter.
Directed by Raymond O. Caldwell; Set Design by Lawrence E. Moten III; Costume Design by Cidney Forkpah; Sound Design by Matthew M. Nielson; Fight Coordinator, Robb Hunter; Intimacy Coordinator, Sierra Young; Dramaturg, Adrien-Alice Hansel.
Through June 22nd at Studio Theatre, 1501 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005. For tickets and information call the box office at 202-332-3300 or visit www.StudioTheatre.org.