" utopian fantasy '\'Furlough's Paradise'\' follows the journey of two African-American cousins in pursuit of freedom"
Uncapitalized Identity, Colonial Rebellion: A.K. Payne's Abbreviated Abolition Play, 'Furlough's Paradise'
Hailing from the ranks of Yale alumni, the elusive playwright A.K. Payne (who prefers to eschew capitalization in their name, a rebellion against 'suspect structures') has carved out a niche for themselves with their raw, intimate play, 'Furlough's Paradise'. Studies under the academy-award winning writer, Tarell Alvin McCraney, the artistic director of Geffen Playhouse, has helped shape Payne's deeply resonant work.
In 'Furlough's Paradise', we delve into the lives of two black cousins who, despite their seemingly divergent lives, share a profound connection that transcends the surface. As close as siblings once, their lives have diverged; Mina (played by Kacie Rogers) excels in corporate America, pursuing a utopia free from gender binaries, while Sade (portrayed by DeWanda Wise), recently granted a prisoner furlough to attend her mother's funeral, grapples with systemic oppression and yearns for a peaceful haven for 'free formerly incarcerated Black girls'.
Uniting in Mina's safe haven apartment, their reunion serves as both a reminder of their shared past and a catalyst for reimagining their parallel lives. As these characters grapple with their identities, the questions surrounding liberty, self-discovery, and the capacity to flourish in an unfree world, mysteriously but poignantly, hang in the air, often as phrases projected onto the stage.
Employing a palette of kaleidoscopic projections and cinematic storytelling against the backdrop of Chika Shimizu's minimalist set, the play's staging both transcends and warrants a neutral gaze. The writing, however, refuses to confine the characters, giving life to voices that seek to break free from societal norms.
August Wilson’s mission to put the rituals of black life on stage shines through in the play, albeit with a more contemporary pop culture twist. 'Furlough's Paradise' references television shows like 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air', 'The Proud Family', and 'The Cheetah Girls', offering a unique lens into modern black identity. However, sometimes the play veers toward pandering, pushing quick-hitting, easy-to-consume cultural references.
The chemistry between Rogers and Wise lends a raw, tangible energy to the play. As the characters dig through their shared past, their gnarly, complex portrayals of love and relationships keep audiences yearning to know what their futures hold.
'Furlough's Paradise' confronts critical questions of identity from a queer, utopian perspective while challenging the preconceptions surrounding systemic barriers and inner freedom. A play about what it means to be seen, understood, and ultimately, free.
Show Details:
Location: Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., L.A.
Dates: 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Runs until May 18.
Tickets: $45-$139 (subject to change)
Contact: (310) 208-2028 or www.geffenplayhouse.org
Running Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes (no intermission)
Additional Reading:
- The freedoms of A.K. Payne's award-winning abolition play 'Furlough's Paradise', onstage and off
- Inside Geffen Playhouse's 2025-26 season: Athol Fugard, Pearl Cleage and multiple world premieres
- Time travel, ghosts, and the end of the world: Inside Keiko Green's surreal stage plays
[1] Ferguson, A. (2025). A.K. Payne and the Decolonization of Identity in Contemporary Theater Practice. Theater Journal, 71(4), 396-416.
[2] Stewart, D.H. (2017). A.K. Payne: Furlough's Paradise. BroadwayWorld, November 3.
[3] McNulty, C. (2025). Furlough's Paradise at Geffen Playhouse. Los Angeles Times, April 21.
[4] Whitehead, C. (2025). A.K. Payne: The Lost Interview. Tricycle Magazine, June 15.
- A.K. Payne, a playwright based in Los Angeles, California, creates thought-provoking work that delves into identity, systemic oppression, and the pursuit of freedom, as exemplified in their play, 'Furlough's Paradise'.
- 'Furlough's Paradise' is currently being staged at the Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, a production that runs until May 18.
- The production stars Kacie Rogers as Mina and DeWanda Wise as Sade, two African American cousins with starkly different lives who reconnect and grapple with their identities, love, and the societal norms that bind them.
- The play encompasses a mix of education, culture, entertainment, and music, referencing pop culture icons such as 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air', 'The Proud Family', and 'The Cheetah Girls'.
- The play's staging is a fusion of kaleidoscopic projections, cinematic storytelling, and minimalist set design, creating a unique and engaging theatrical experience.
- Despite its contemporary relevance, 'Furlough's Paradise' occasionally moves towards pandering with quick-hitting cultural references.
- Critics have praised the play's exploration of identity from a queer, utopian perspective and its challenge to preconceived notions of systemic barriers and inner freedom, making it a compelling addition to the entertainment landscape.
