A must-see for Black History Month
The stage at Penumbra Theatre pulses with the rhythms of jazz and tension as “Paradise Blue” makes its debut, bringing a story that resonates with many urban communities. This production, rich in music and drama, evokes a ripple effect of emotions among audiences in the Twin Cities.
Written by award-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau and directed by Penumbra’s very own Lou Bellamy, the play runs February 11 through March 9, making it a timely kickoff to Black History Month.
Set in 1949, “Paradise Blue” follows a troubled jazz club owner and trumpeter, “Blue,” as he struggles with internal demons while gentrification looms over Detroit’s “Black Bottom” neighborhood. The play delves into themes of identity, survival, and the many costs of progress.
“Penumbra’s core mission has been to uplift Black voices in the arts,” actor Lester Purry said. “This play does it in such a beautiful way that it shows how art can be empowering to the individual, specifically jazz, y’know, bebop.”
Purry says “Paradise Blue” is more than the story of a musician. He says it is a reflection of every Black community that has had to fight to retain its space and identity in the face of gentrification.
“Any Black actor who’s been here for a while can tell you before Penumbra, most Black actors only worked in February, for Black History Month, when other theatres would hire them for the February show,” Purry said. “And then Penumbra came along and created something where you could see yourself, you could reflect your own stories and your own experiences in this country.”
He says the production offers audiences a visually striking and emotionally charged experience, immersing them in a jazz-infused world where love, power, and survival collide. The cast, led by Mikell Sapp as Blue and Nubia Monks as Pumpkin, delivers performances that bring to life the raw, human cost of urban transformation.
Playwright Dominique Morisseau, a Detroit native with roots in Mississippi and Haiti, is known for her now Detroit Trilogy, which also includes “Detroit ’67” and “Skeleton Crew.” Her work explores the struggles and triumphs of Black communities facing economic and social upheaval.
“With “Paradise Blue,” I wanted to show the weight of choices Black business owners had to make in the face of urban renewal,” Morisseau said in a past interview. “It’s a conversation we’re still having today.”
The play’s themes of displacement, resilience, and cultural identity strongly resonate with the history of the Twin Cities. Gentrification, the process by which urban neighborhoods are transformed through an influx of higher-income residents and businesses, often leads to rising property values and rents that displace longtime residents.
While city officials and developers may argue that infrastructure investments bring economic revitalization, the reality for many communities of color is starkly different. Historically Black neighborhoods like Rondo in St. Paul, 8 Mile in Detroit, and Treme in New Orleans have faced erasure as city planning projects, rezoning laws, and commercial development favor wealthier newcomers over the preservation of existing cultural hubs.
Penumbra Theatre, founded in 1976 by Lou Bellamy, has deep ties to St. Paul’s historic Rondo neighborhood — once the heart of the city’s Black community before being devastated by the construction of Interstate 94. Purry says the connection between the theatre and the storyline highlights how “Paradise Blue” mirrors real-life experiences of communities affected by urban renewal and gentrification.
“We think of art as entertainment, but it can also be revolutionary. It can be society-changing, and that’s what Penumbra does, and that’s why it’s lasted here so long,” Purry added.
Through its artistry, Paradise Blue at Penumbra Theatre serves as both a historical lens and a contemporary conversation starter, urging audiences to examine the impact of gentrification on Black communities nationwide.
Purry emphasizes the play’s emotional depth, stating, “This production showcases the strength, resilience, and the ability to love despite being unloved or not loved fully, as Black women.”
The theater will host special post-show discussions on select nights, inviting community members to explore the play’s themes within a broader historical and social context. For those looking to experience a poignant and thought-provoking production that speaks to the heart of American history and culture, “Paradise Blue” at Penumbra Theatre is a must-see.
“Paradise Blue” runs from Feb. 11 to March 9 at Penumbra Theatre, located at 270 N. Kent St. in St. Paul. Tickets start at $5 on a first-come, first-served basis and can be purchased online at penumbratheatre.org/event/paradise-blue or by calling the box office at 651-224-3180.
Kiara Williams welcomes reader responses at kwilliams@spokesman-recorder.com.