The West Coast premiere of Furlough’s Paradise is earning glowing reviews following its debut at the Geffen Playhouse. Written by a.k. payne and directed by Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, the acclaimed production explores the fractured yet hopeful reunion of two cousins, Sade and Mina, as they return to their childhood home for a family funeral.
A Poetic and Theatrical Exploration of Love and Loss
Featuring powerful performances by Kacie Rogers and DeWanda Wise, Furlough’s Paradise follows Sade, on a three-day prison furlough, and Mina, briefly escaping her West Coast career, as they navigate conflicting memories and unresolved pain. Their emotional journey through grief, identity, and family unfolds against a lyrical and visually arresting backdrop.
Critics Praise Payne’s Lyrical Language and Bold Vision
Critics have been quick to celebrate the play’s powerful themes and theatrical ambition. The Los Angeles Times describes the work as “floating at times like a movement-theater piece reaching for the heavens,” while Stage and Cinema lauds its “realism and lyricism in equal measure.” TheaterMania adds, “Payne’s lyrical language makes the characters’ monologues feel like arias.”
Other reviews describe it as:
- “Absolutely spectacular.” – WPFW Radio
- “Explodes with emotion.” – LATheatrix
- “A keen poetic manifesto.” – Politics, Money, Culture
- “Engrossing & passionate.” – LA Theatre Bites
- “Pushes boundaries of what a play can be.” – Larchmont Buzz
Presented with Support from Arts & Justice Initiatives
This production is presented as part of Geffen Playhouse’s Theater as a Lens for Justice initiative, offering access and outreach to communities impacted by incarceration. Furlough’s Paradise is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Cast Iron Entertainment, and the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation.
Now – May 18
Gil Cates Theater, Geffen Playhouse
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Arts Partner: A Man of No Importance
From the creators of Ragtime comes A Man of No Importance, a heartwarming musical set in 1960s Dublin. It tells the story of Alfie Byrne, a humble bus conductor with a secret passion for Oscar Wilde and a dream of staging Salome in a local church. As Alfie confronts societal pushback, the play celebrates identity, art, and the quiet courage to live authentically.
May 4 – June 1, 2025
A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107
Don’t miss this moving tribute to community and self-acceptance. Buy Tickets
