“I remember… the age I learned I was scary.” Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents the Southern California premiere of Kill Move Paradise, a humorous, uplifting, powerful new drama by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames (Fat Ham). Gregg T. Daniel directs for an eight-week run, September 14 through November 3, at the Odyssey’s venue in West L.A. Three low-priced previews are set for September 11, 12 and 13.

Four Black men, torn from the world without warning, find themselves stuck in a cosmic waiting room in the afterlife. As they attempt to make sense of their new paradise, Isa (Ulato Sam), Daz (Ahkei Togun), Grif (Jonathan P. Sims) and Tiny (Cedric Joe) play, sing, tease and uplift one another, even as they’re forced to confront how they arrived in this unearthly place. Inspired by the ever-growing list of slain Black men and women and the fear and threat of death they continue to face daily, Kill Move Paradise is an electrifying reminder of our collective humanity.

“I wanted to create a space in which the humanity of the people on stage is undeniable,” Ijames said in an interview. “These characters embody all the ways in which we try to be human. They are jealous, they are kind, they are maternal and paternal, they are pushed physically to the edge of something and then fall. I always say that I hope this play becomes obsolete one day. That’s like a crazy thing for a playwright to say. But I hope one day that people will say we don’t need to do this play anymore because we are different. We are better.”

“Kill Move Paradise deals with ongoing violence against Black and Brown people in a highly original and unique way,” says Daniel. “The audience will laugh… while also feeling invested in the pain our heroes are feeling. We relate to these four young men as they find the humor in their situation, celebrate their culture, and revel in one another. It’s hard to hate someone when you get to know them. This is a kind of politically motivated theater I haven’t seen in some time.”

The Odyssey’s creative team includes scenic designer Stephanie Kerley Schwartz; ramp designer Mark Mendelson; lighting designer Donny Jackson; composer and sound designer David Gonzalez; costume designer Wendell C. Carmichael; choreographer Toran X. Moore; and graphic artist Luba Lukova. The stage manager is Jenny Nwene. Sally Essex Lopresti produces for Odyssey Theatre Ensemble.

WHAT:
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents the Southern California premiere of Kill Move Paradise, a humorous, uplifting, powerful new drama by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames (Fat Ham). Four Black men, torn from the world without warning, find themselves stuck in a cosmic waiting room in the afterlife. As they attempt to make sense of their new paradise, Isa, Daz, Grif and Tiny play, sing, tease and uplift one another, even as they’re forced to confront how they arrived in this unearthly place. Inspired by the ever-growing list of slain Black men and women and the fear and threat of death they continue to face daily, Kill Move Paradise is an electrifying reminder of our collective humanity.

WHO:
- Written by James Ijames
- Directed by Gregg T. Daniel
- Starring Cedric Joe, Ulato Sam, Jonathan P. Sims, Ahkei Togun
- Produced by Sally Essex Lopresti
- Presented by the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, Ron Sossi Artistic Director


WHEN:
Previews: Sept. 11, Sept. 12, Sept. 13
Performances: Sept. 14 – Nov. 3
- Wednesdays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 11 (preview), Sept. 25* and Oct. 16* ONLY
- Thursday at 8 p.m.: Sept. 12 (preview) ONLY
- Fridays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 13 (preview), Sept. 20**, Sept. 27; Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Oct. 18**, Oct. 25; Nov. 1
- Saturdays at 8 p.m.: Sept. 14 (Opening Night), Sept. 21, Sept. 28; Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19, Oct. 26; Nov. 2
- Sundays at 2 p.m.: Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29; Oct. 6, Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Oct. 27; Nov. 3
*Post-performance discussions on Wednesday, Sept. 25 and Wednesday, Oct. 16.
**Wine Night Fridays: Enjoy complimentary wine and snacks after the show on the third Friday of every month.

WHERE:
Odyssey Theatre
2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90025

TICKET PRICES:
- Tickets range from $20–$40 (plus $3 credit card fee if applicable)
- Friday, Sept. 27 and Friday, Oct. 18 (“College Nights”): Pay-What-You-Can (reservations open online and at the door starting at 5:30 p.m.)

HOW:
OdysseyTheatre.com
(310) 477-2055 ext. 2

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