Paradise Blue

by Dominique Morisseau

Blue, a gifted trumpeter, contemplates selling his once-vibrant jazz club in Detroit's Blackbottom neighborhood to shake free the demons of his past and better his life. But where does that leave his devoted Pumpkin, who has dreams of her own? And what does it mean for the club's resident bebop band? When a mysterious woman with a walk that drives men mad comes to town with her own plans, everyone's world is turned upside down. This dynamic and musically-infused drama shines light on the challenges of building a better future on the foundation of what our predecessors have left us.

Genres: Plays, Audiobook, Fiction, Historical Fiction

94 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2019

About the author

Dominique Morisseau is an American playwright and actress from Detroit, Michigan. She has authored over nine plays, three of which are part of a cycle titled The Detroit Projects. She is a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship for 2018.

Reviews

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1949 a thriving African American community in Detroit is the target of gentrification. Business owners are being pressured to sell in the name of urban renewal. Blue is a gifted trumpet player and the owner of Paradise Club, a jazz club started by his father. He thinks that selling and moving away will be a way to escape his demons, but his girlfriend Pumpkin and his bandmates want to stay at Paradise. Into the mix comes a woman (with unknown motives) from Louisiana who may or may not have murdered her husband.

This play is part of the Williamstown Theatre Festival on Audible. The story was compelling and the acting was impressive (Blair Underwood was Blue). Usually I hate music and sound effects in audiobooks, but the original music composed for this play was terrific and I wanted to hear more of it. The ending of the play is a shattering enigma.

This is available as an Audible Plus selection.

[Kyra Dawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This play is imbued with the beauty, pain, and tenderness of jazz. I appreciate how the storyline utilized familiar tropes, but also included a caliber of complexity to make the characters all the more believable. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is enamored with the manifestations of jazz across art forms.

[Angela M. Artis · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG !!! This Audible was So Good !! I stayed intrigued the entire time. The ending though. Definitely recommend.

[Laura K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am interested in Detroit history, especially Black Bottom and the jazz era. In the name of "urban renewal" the Detroit Mayor & those in power decided to run the new I-75 freeway directly through Detroit's Black Bottom neighborhood, a place that attracted the best blues and jazz performers. The area was home to many successful African-American owned businesses.

I've always wondered what would have happened to the city of the area had been supported ( not exploited) and not destroyed. I can only believe that today it would still be a vibrant area, and would be good for the city and the people economically and culturally. It would bring visitors to the city.

I listened to this selection on Audible, and it was wonderful. The acting was superb and the music perfect. History came to life for me. And I enjoyed the poetry.

I enjoy books about Detroit and plan to read more from this author, and if I'm really lucky, see her work on stage.

By the way, the author and director speak with an interviewed at the end of the selection and it is worth listening to.

The Williamstown Theater selections on Audible Plus are so well staged and produced!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is difficult to listen to a play rather than see it, especially when much of the drama seems to take place as physical interactions between the characters. However, even with that constraint, this is a good production of what is probably a very compelling play when seen on stage. The music adds a lot to the play and actually helps tell the story. However, who got shot at the end? There is just the sound of a gunshot and the listener is left wondering who pulled the trigger and who got shot. Did Pumpkin shoot Blue? Did Blue shoot Pumpkin? Did Pumpkin kill herself? No way to know, and that takes away from the power of the play.

[Hilal Tunçkol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to Audible original version of this. The full-cast narration was superb and the women, both Pumpkin with her love of poems and Silver with her strong, bad-ass lady act, were such good and likeable characters.

I cannot say the same thing for the men, though. Blue had issues (psychological ones, mostly), and he was trying to sell his club "Blue Paradise", even though Pumpkin didn't want the club sold. There was also Sam who wanted Pumkin to leave Blue for him.

Not very impressed by these characters, to say the least.

Also, what was the message the story was trying to give? That psyhological issues are no big deal and they can be resolved with the right music?

[Juan A. Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second part in Morriseau’s “Detroit Projects” triptych––which concludes with the excellent Skeleton Crew–– is the type of noirish fever dream that might’ve starred a young Joan Crawford as Pumpkin, the club’s (and club owner’s) kept woman who hides poetic ambitions beneath her housekeeping gig. Why a young Joan Crawford? Because Kristolyn Lloyd, who plays Pumpkin, delivers an enthralling performance fraught with vulnerability and the burning promise of greatness.

Full review on Theatrely.

[Jordan Muschler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish I loved this! Morriseau is great at dialogue but in reading her plays so far, I always find that the ideas and plotting are a little meandering while the characters are always fascinating and three-dimensional. I love the time period and elements of jazz here, but found the 'in media res' asks a question - who shot? - which is very easy to predict by the time you get to that moment.

All that being said, her constant attention and empathy for every character in her stories makes her consistently worth engaging with.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best part of this listen is the music. If you like blues, then you will enjoy this. The combination of music, poetry, and story are a powerful combination. I was not thrilled with the story itself, but I gave 4 stars for the music and poetry. I believe this story is about virtue attempting to show itself in difficulty, where it will eventually loose.

[Amy M. Mize · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible: I am intrigued by Audible’s new series of plays that are produced specifically for audio. The concept reminds me of old radio plays from the days before TV. But would a play written for the stage translate to audio? Well, I thought this one did. The narrative emphasis on the jazz culture in Detroit in the 1940s worked perfectly for this format.

[Jestin James · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was average. But the voice acting was really really good. And then, the music. Oh the music. It was really beautiful to listen to. And I don't usually listen to Jazz, but I really enjoyed it.

[Zachary Pareizs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't too crazy about this, it's a little too period for my tastes, and the men are very brash. I love the women and the ending, though.

[D.G. Driver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just listened to the recording of this play done for Audible. It was incredibly acted, and it had me gasping out loud in the final scene. Would love to see this show live sometime.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of music and jazz.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this audio experience.
The story and audio performances held my interest and made it feel like a true theater experience.

[LeeTravelGoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book reminiscent of Detroit.

[Isá · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worked on this play at the Williamstown Theatre Festival premiere. Dominique Morriseau is one of a kind. The writing, characters, their demons all erupt with abundant passion.

[Angelika Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oof that ending. I loved the poetry in this.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This show has a carefully designed and meticulous build and then the final scene happens and the payoff is incredible.

[Maddy Dolby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uhhh defs not what I was expecting.

[Thalia Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Em Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful, beautiful story. characters you get your heart attatched to.

[Jacob Faulkner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty solid little play I definitely enjoyed it good ending too I also think it highlights an interesting disparity between types of women and asserts the notion that they aren't so different I think that blue as a character also represents the idea that being traumatized isn't an excuse you can't repeatedly do bad things to those you love and get away with it just because you had a dark past very interesting