Apr 16 – May 18, 2025 (Excludes Apr 24 & May 2)
🎟️ Get 20% Off with Code: PUMP20FP
Hey Pump It Up Family!
Something truly unforgettable is coming to Los Angeles this spring—and you won’t want to miss it!
If you’ve been searching for a new play in Los Angeles that will move you, Furlough’s Paradise at Geffen Playhouse is it. This West Coast premiere is poetic, powerful, and packed with heart.
It’s the kind of live theater experience that stays with you—touching on family, forgiveness, and the beauty of second chances. You’ll laugh, reflect, and maybe even see parts of your own story on that stage.
We believe in moments that inspire growth, connection, and joy—and this one is sure to pump up your soul in all the best ways.
Special Offer for Pump It Up Readers
When & Where?
Previews begin April 16, with Opening Night on April 24, and the show runs through May 18, 2025.
The production takes place at the Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse in Westwood—the perfect night out for both theater lovers and newcomers.
Exclusive 20% Discount
Use code PUMP20FP to save 20% on all ticket price levels.
Valid for performances from April 16 to May 18, 2025 (Excludes April 24 & May 2).
🎟️ Tickets range from $36 to $139, with $20 student rush tickets available.
Reserve Your Seat Now!
Get tickets at Geffen Playhouse or call (310) 208-2028 (Tuesday – Sunday, 12 PM – 6 PM).
Written by the brilliant a.k. payne and directed by visionary Tinashe Kajese-Bolden, this production is all heart, grit, and raw beauty.
And guess what? 🎉 It stars none other than DeWanda Wise (yes, from She’s Gotta Have It and Jurassic World Dominion) and the powerhouse Kacie Rogers (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Grace & Frankie) — two women bringing fire, depth, and vulnerability to the stage as cousins Sade and Mina.
What’s the Story?
Imagine returning to your childhood town under bittersweet circumstances — a funeral, old memories, and deep, unresolved feelings. Sade is out on a three-day furlough from prison. Mina is taking a short break from her fast-paced West Coast life. Together, they must navigate grief, sisterhood, and the possibility of healing. ❤️🩹
Furlough’s Paradise isn’t just a play — it’s a poetic, deeply human experience that asks: Can we reclaim the people we used to be? And can we forgive — ourselves and each other?
Why You Should Go 👇
- It’s the kind of story that sticks with you. You’ll laugh, cry, and think — and maybe see a bit of yourself reflected on stage.
- Representation matters. This production centers powerful Black voices and stories, both on stage and behind the scenes.
- The cast and crew are top-tier. From award-winning actors to acclaimed designers and choreographers — this is theater at its finest.
- It’s more than a show — it’s a movement. Through Geffen’s “Theater as a Lens for Justice” initiative, Furlough’s Paradise is opening doors for communities affected by incarceration.
And Here’s Something Extra Special
April is International Black Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the power, resilience, and creativity of Black women across the globe. We also love how platforms like BlackHer.us spotlight stories, voices, and leadership rooted in Black excellence.
At Pump It Up Magazine, we proudly support women and diversity in all forms — especially when it comes to storytelling that uplifts and empowers. You can check out how we’re celebrating all month long in our Women Celebration Section — where we spotlight amazing women breaking boundaries every day.
Furlough’s Paradise is more than a play — it’s a celebration of Black womanhood, artistry, and the strength of sisterhood. So come out, show love, and be part of this unforgettable experience.
About Furlough’s Paradise
Cousins Sade and Mina used to be inseparable. Now leading very different lives, they return to their childhood town for the funeral of their mother and aunt. While Sade is on a three-day furlough from prison and Mina experiences a brief reprieve from her career and life on the West Coast, the two try to make sense of grief, home, love, and kinship.
As the clock ticks down, the cousins grapple with their conflicting memories of the past and their shared hopes for the future. Poetic and theatrical, Furlough’s Paradise explores family dreams of a utopia yet to be realized.
Creative Team
Written by a.k. payne
Directed by Tinashe Kajese-Bolden
Starring Kacie Rogers & DeWanda Wise
This production is made possible, in part, by support from Cast Iron Entertainment and the National Endowment for the Arts. Geffen Playhouse’s Theater as a Lens for Justice initiative provides access to this production and supplementary programs for populations impacted by incarceration. Audience Engagement initiatives for Furlough’s Paradise are supported by The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation.
Benefitting Our Partners
100% of single ticket proceeds from Black Partners Appreciation Night on May 2, 2025 will benefit our community partners: Black Rebirth Collective, California Black Women’s Health Project, Coco Coalition, Mass Liberation, and Moon Child Collaborative. When selecting your seats, you may choose to benefit a single organization, or select “Share With All” to have ticket proceeds shared equally among all organizations.
Click on a partner organization below to learn more about their missions.
Connect with the Cast & Crew!
Want to follow the amazing artists behind Furlough’s Paradise? Show your support and tag them when you post about the show!
📍Follow & Tag:
@geffenplayhouse
Director: @tinashekajesebolden
Starring: @dewandawise
Whether you’re a longtime theater lover or just looking for a night out that inspires, Furlough’s Paradise is your must-see moment this Spring!
See you at the show — we’ll save you a seat!
With love and excitement,
Anissa Boudjaoui Sutton
Editor in Chief
Pump It Up Magazine 💖
