Show History

History

Inspiration

Birds of Paradise, a collaboration between composer, David Evans, and lyricist, Winnie Holzman, began while Holzman was pursuing her Master's Degree from New York University's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. The show is one of the first musicals to come out of the program.

The characters in Birds of Paradise are rehearsing a musical adaptation of The Seagull, Anton Chekov's 1895 classic about artistic and romantic conflicts in Russia. As the show progresses, the actors begin emulating the characters that they are portraying in The Seagull.

Productions

Birds of Paradise premiered Off-Broadway at the Promenade Theatre on October 26, 1987. The show ran for 29 previews and 24 performances, closing on November 5, 1987. Directed by Arthur Laurents, the production starred Todd Graff, John Cunningham, Crista Moore, Mary Beth Peil, Andrew Hill Newman, Donna Murphy, Barbara Walsh and J.K. Simmons.

The musical was performed Off-Off-Broadway on September 30, 2002, as a one-night-only free reading at the Chashama Theatre in New York City. Directed by Mark Cannistraro, the cast included Stephen Hope, DB Bonds and Georgia Osbourne.