BERKELEY, CA—When the critic of the Bay Area’s leading newspaper gave an unenthusiastic review to “Paradise Square,” and yet so many patrons emerged from the Berkeley Rep contending this was their best show ever, some comment seemed in order. Now, just after close of the stunning run, a modest riposte is offered, based on attendance at a preview:

Even in previews, Berkeley Rep’s world premiere production of “Paradise Square” had the feel of a hit Broadway musical. This theatrical exuberance has legs!

Set in the Manhattan race riots of the Civil War era, it plays out an unaccustomed harmony of blacks (some of them escaped slaves) and Irish immigrants. It was that great melting pot ranging from a full-melt to frosty/combative. All coalescing in that unique mixed-race bar called Paradise Square.

The vitality of this show is electric. Imagine the tranquil songs of Stephen Foster now on speed, with new words, in a broader musical treatment (by Jason Howland, Larry Kirwan) producing a style not far from “Les Misérables.” Add the multifaceted dazzling choreography of Bill T. Jones running through Irish step dances, tap dance and even impressions of African-based moves kept alive by slaves foreshadowing break dancing. And create a mind-bending spectacular with late-model stage machinery, 29 singer-dancer-actors on stage, plus some half-dozen musicians back-stage. And you cap it with a very uneasy solo-dance competition pitting the immigrants against the blacks.

The result, at first glance, already  looks like the BRT show of the  decade, drawing a broad audience cutting across generational and ethnic lines. If you see this as a metaphor for today’s deep  political divisions in America, you’ve hit the nail on the head.

The powerful cast features Christina Sajous (Nelly, the café proprietor), Sidney Dupont (as singer-dancer William Henry Lane, the escaped slave), Daren Herbert (the reverend), and A.J. Shively (the Irish singer-dancer Owen), under guidance of Stage Director Moisés Kaufman. Then there’s the impoverished pianist/song-writer named Stephen Foster in a scene-stealing role, played sympathetically by Jacob Fishel. Among the 20-plus numbers you might well recognize the recostumed versions of Foster’s “Camptown Races,” “Oh, Susanna,” “Old Folks at Home” and others.

We’ll see if this show becomes the New York hit many are predicting. In the meantime—–WOW!!!

Berkeley (CA) Repertory Theatre in the world-premiere Howland-Kirwan musical, “Paradise Square.” Roda Theater, running through Feb. 17. Two hours and three quarters, one intermission. For info: (510) 647-2949, or go online.