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a14 people & arts
Tuesday 7 June 2022
Q&A: Moisés Kaufman reflects on the roots of our divisions

By SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS for a poor person to come
Associated Press to America and realize
NEW YORK (AP) — Seven their dreams than it is for
years ago, Moisés Kaufman a wealthy person to come
was approached to di- to America and realize
rect the Broadway musical their dreams. I don’t know,
“Paradise Square” and, af- there was something about
ter reading it, he immedi- these immigrants arriving in
ately said yes. this country and then find-
“I did this show because it ing community with the
spoke to me,” the Venezu- least likely of partners that
elan theater director and really spoke to me.
playwright says. “So much AP: What was the biggest
of my work occurs at the challenge of directing this
intersection of the personal show?
and the political. I like to KAUFMAN: The biggest
look at history through the challenge was that we
eyes of the other, through knew that we wanted to
the eye of the person that tell an epic story. You don’t
doesn’t get to tell their sto- see musicals of this size on
ry.” Broadway anymore or on
Now “Paradise Square” the West End. You know,
— about unity and rac- they’re un-producible — 36
ism in New York’s notorious actors on stage, 10 more
Five Points neighborhood, actors off stage just being
where Irish immigrants and standbys, an orchestra of
Black Americans jostled to 50 people. It is a very big
survive in the years before Director and playwright Moises Kaufman appears during a ceremony in the East Room of the musical. At times we felt
the Civil War — is nomi- White House for the National Medal of Arts in Washington on Sept. 22, 2016. Associated Press like, who do we want the
nated for 10 Tony Awards, audience to fall in love with
including best musical, best Theater Project — best hear that and to get that, KAUFMAN: Well, that was and follow for the course
lead actress for Joaquina known for “The Laramie and it’s been really reward- another way into the ma- of the play when you have
Kalukango, and best fea- Project” and who has re- ing! I did this show because terial. Like a lot of immi- so many characters? And
tured actor for both Sidney ceived awards including it spoke to me. I don’t know, grants, we arrive here with how do you craft it in a
DuPont and A.J. Shively. the National Medal of Arts something about looking a dream, with an expec- way that you can follow all
During a recent interview — also spoke about the rel- at America through the tation of what we want of them, and that you can
with The Associated Press, evance of the show today eyes of that community, a our lives to be like. And we follow the intricacies of this
Kaufman, himself an immi- and the powerhouse that community where Irish im- have this whole mythology historical musical?
grant based in New York is Kalukango as the cou- migrants and Black natives of what America provides AP: Joaquina Kalukango
City, reflected on immigra- rageous bar owner Nelly were getting married and and what one is able to gets a standing ovation be-
tion and the roots of Ameri- O’Brien. living together and doing do in America. And invari- fore the show even ends —
can divisions. Remarks have been edited business together in 1863! ably, whether you suc- after “Let It Burn.” What can
“Immigration is a great fal- for brevity and clarity. When in the South, Black ceed or you fail, you have you tell me about her? Do
lacy, because you never ___ people were still slaves, to confront the reality of you ever worry she might
leave the country where AP: You have directed here there was a commu- America. There’s always a get sick?
you were born, and you plays on Broadway, but nity where people were liv- gap between the reality KAUFMAN: We have two
never arrive in the country this is your first Broadway ing and loving together. It of America and the dream understudies for her, and
where you land. Your being musical. Did you expect spoke to me. of America. I think that the they’re both very good. But
is always divided, part of “Paradise Square” to get 10 AP: You are also an im- poorer you are, the dis- Joaquina — every so often
you is there and part of you nominations? migrant directing a show tance between that reality a monster arrives at the the-
is here,” he said. KAUFMAN: No, I did not ex- about immigrants. How did and that image widens. So, ater and that’s her, she’s a
The founder of Tectonic pect it. It was a great joy to this inform the process? of course, it’s much harder theatrical monster. q

Biden to appear on ‘Jimmy Kimmel

Live!’ during Western trip

WASHINGTON (AP) — An- “Our very elected Presi- late-night appearance
other sign America’s en- dent @JoeBiden visits @ while in office.
tertainment landscape is JimmyKimmelLive Wednes- Government leaders from
returning to normal: Presi- day night. No malarkey.” across the hemisphere
dent Joe Biden will make Biden travels Wednesday will gather to discuss eco-
his first in-person appear- to Los Angeles to host the nomic prosperity, climate
ance on a late-night talk Ninth Summit of the Ameri- change, the migration cri-
show since taking office. cas, and Kimmel’s show sis and the COVID-19 pan-
Biden will be a guest tapes in Hollywood. demic, the White House
Wednesday night on ABC’s In December 2021 Biden said.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk on the South “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” the appeared virtually on Biden will give the sum-
Lawn upon arrival at the White House from Rehoboth Beach, White House said. NBC’s “The Tonight Show” mit’s opening address on
Del., Sunday, June 5, 2022, in Washington.
Associated Press Kimmel tweeted Sunday: with Jimmy Fallon, his first Thursday.q