Furlough's Paradise

A Hopeful Story of Kinship, Love, and Moving Through Grief

APR 14 - MAY 10, 2026 | WILSON STAGE

About the show:
From one of Variety’s top Storytellers to Watch in 2025, comes this multiple award-winning story of kinship, love, and moving through grief. On a three-day furlough for her mother’s funeral, Sade stays with her only cousin. Mina is also on a brief reprieve from her life on the West Coast, and the cousins, who were once so close, come together to try to make sense of childhood memories and their dreams for the future as time ticks toward Sade’s return to prison. “An abolition play or simply a play about cousins” from one of America’s most thrilling new playwrights.

By a.k. payne
Directed by Jasmine B. Gunter

Total Run Time (Approx): 80 minutes (no intermission)
Recommended for ages 16+ due to strong language and adult themes.

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Performance Calendar

Accessibility Performances

Sign Interpreted: Thursday 5/7 – 7:30pm
Open Captioned: Saturday 4/18 – 2:00pm, Wednesday 5/6 – 2:00pm, Wednesday 5/6 – 7:30pm
Audio Described: Sunday 5/3 – 2:00pm

Tickets

To purchase, click the floating “Purchase Tickets” bar at the bottom of the screen.

“I’ve never been so moved!”

– Geva Audiences

“A very powerful & thought-provoking production.”

– Geva Audiences

“It made me laugh, think, and cry, all at the same time!”

– Geva Audiences

NextGenGeva Eligible Show!

NextGenGeva is a new membership program for patrons ages 20–40 that unlocks exclusive savings on all One Geva productions!

Choose Date & Time

Apr 23, 2026

Thursday, 07:30 PM
Apr 24, 2026

Friday, 08:00 PM
Apr 25, 2026

Saturday, 03:00 PM
Apr 25, 2026

Saturday, 08:00 PM
Apr 26, 2026

Sunday, 02:00 PM
Apr 26, 2026

Sunday, 07:00 PM
Apr 28, 2026

Tuesday, 07:30 PM
Apr 29, 2026

Wednesday, 07:30 PM
Apr 30, 2026

Thursday, 07:30 PM
May 01, 2026

Friday, 08:00 PM
May 02, 2026

Saturday, 03:00 PM
May 02, 2026

Saturday, 08:00 PM
May 03, 2026

Sunday, 02:00 PM
May 06, 2026

Wednesday, 02:00 PM
May 06, 2026

Wednesday, 07:30 PM
May 07, 2026

Thursday, 07:30 PM
May 09, 2026

Saturday, 03:00 PM
May 09, 2026

Saturday, 08:00 PM
May 10, 2026

Sunday, 02:00 PM

Cast

Understudy

Creative & Artistic Team

Connect Further

Talkbacks & Events for In-Depth Exploration

Talkbacks

These talkbacks are free and open to the public.

Saturday, May 2, following the 3pm Matinee

Discussion during the run of Furlough’s Paradise. Moderator to be announced soon.

Sunday, May 10, following the 2pm Matinee

Discussion paired with both Furlough’s Paradise and Baron Vaughn: Cycle Breaker, led by Resident Director/Producer Jasmine B. Gunter.

Black Out Affinity Performance

Sunday, April 26, 2pm Performance

Join us for a Black Out performance of Furlough’s Paradise on Sunday, April 26th at 2PM followed by a discussion led by dramaturg Jordan Ealey, with Philip McHarris joining the conversation. Celebrate this powerful production through an afternoon of affinity where we hope to provide a welcoming space for Black audience members and performers to enjoy this performance together. Non-Black-identifying patrons are welcome to attend.

Black is Beautiful: Adam Eaton Art Exhibition

Monday, April 20th, from 6-8pm

Join us in Geva’s Lobby to kick off Black is Beautiful with live music by the band Night and Day lead by Candice O’Connor.

This event is free and open to the public.

Black is Beautiful: Adam Eaton Art Exhibition

Adam Eaton’s artwork will be Presented at Geva Theatre and in The Library Link Gallery located at the Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County (115 South Ave, Rochester, NY 14604). This exhibit will be on display in Geva’s lobby from April 20 through June 7, 2026 and can be viewed by the public any time the Geva Box Office is open. Hours are listed at the top of the website.

Black Is Beautiful is a fine art portrait photography exhibition by Adam Eaton, created to honor the beauty, dignity, and humanity of Black people. Rooted in community and visual storytelling, this exhibition invites viewers to slow down, reflect, and experience Black beauty celebrated across two locations in Rochester. More information about the artist: adameaton.com/about

Video Prologue

Know Before You Go

Geva Kitchen & Godot's Bar

Geva makes it simple to enjoy a complete night out! Open 2 hours before most performances, Godot’s Bar offers full bar service, and The Kitchen at Geva offers a light menu including salads, sandwiches and desserts.

To save time, you’re welcome to place your intermission order before the show begins. Please note: starting 30 minutes before showtime, we will only accept intermission pre-orders from the full kitchen menu. During intermission, a limited selection of kitchen items, desserts, and beverages – including our full bar – will be available.

Please note that our bar & kitchen are closed on non-performance weeks.

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Support Geva

Join our growing donor community

Current Productions

A Hopeful Story of Kinship, Love, and Moving Through Grief

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Current Productions

A Hopeful Story of Kinship, Love, and Moving Through Grief

Parenthood, Forgiveness, and Laughter

A Musical Journey to Home, Love, and Family

Current Productions

A Hopeful Story of Kinship, Love, and Moving Through Grief

Parenthood, Forgiveness, and Laughter

A Musical Journey to Home, Love, and Family

Current Productions

A Hopeful Story of Kinship, Love, and Moving Through Grief

Parenthood, Forgiveness, and Laughter

A Musical Journey to Home, Love, and Family

Furlough's Paradise

A Hopeful Story of Kinship, Love, and Moving Through Grief

APR 14 - MAY 10, 2026 | WILSON STAGE

Performance Calendar

Accessibility Performances

Tickets

NextGenGeva Eligible Show!

Choose Date & Time

Cast

Cloteal L. Horne

Shunté Lofton

Understudy

Jade Hill

Creative & Artistic Team

a.k. payne

Jasmine B. Gunter

Regina García

David Arevalo

Seojung Jang

Evdoxia Ragkou

Jordan Ealey

Jayme Bermudez

Calleri Jensen Davis

JuanCarlos Contreras

Kristen Larson

Joseph Biagini

Thalia Schramm

Sponsors

Connect Further

Talkbacks & Events for In-Depth Exploration

Talkbacks

These talkbacks are free and open to the public.

Black Out Affinity Performance

Black is Beautiful: Adam Eaton Art Exhibition

This event is free and open to the public.

Video Prologue

Know Before You Go

Geva Kitchen & Godot's Bar

Explore More

Support Geva

Purchase Tickets

Please Note

Geva’s Box Office will be closed until 2:00 PM on Friday, April 17th due to staff training. We appreciate your patience and look forward to assisting you when we reopen.

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