Performances of James Ijames’ play begin previews May 31.
The National Black Theatre is set to close out its season with a world premiere production of playwright James Ijames’ Kill Move Paradise. Under the direction of Saheem Ali (Nollywood), performances begin May 31 ahead of a June 3 opening night.
Ryan Jamaal Swain (Spring Awakening), Donnell E. Smith (Time: The Kalief Browder Story), Clinton Lowe (Bamboo Bushwick), and Sidiki Fofana (Most Dangerous Man in America) star in the production.
Set in an otherworldly place, Kill Move Paradise follows four black males — Isa (Swain), Grif (Smith), Daz (Lowe), and Tiny (Fofana). Ripped prematurely from Earth by police brutality, vigilante "justice," and racist acts, they confront the reality of their pasts and scramble to make sense of their new world. The play is inspired by recent events.
The creative team includes Maruti Evans (scenic design), Alan Edwards (lighting design), Palmer Hefferan (sound design), and Ntokozo Fuzunina Kunene (costume design). Darrell Moultrie will serve as movement coach. Christina Franklin is the production's stage manager.