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The Color Purple (musical)

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The Color Purple
Original poster from The Broadway Theatre production, 2005
MusicBrenda Russell
Allee Willis
Stephen Bray
LyricsBrenda Russell
Allee Willis
Stephen Bray
BookMarsha Norman
BasisThe Color Purple
by Alice Walker
The Color Purple
by Menno Meyjes
Productions2005 Broadway
2007 Chicago
2007 First U.S. tour
2010 Second U.S. tour
2012 Third U.S. tour
2013 Off West End
2015 Broadway revival
2017 Fourth U.S. tour
Awards2016 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical
2016 Drama League Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical
2017 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album

The Color Purple is a musical with a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. Based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker and its 1985 film adaptation, the show follows the journey of Celie, an African-American woman in the American South from the early to mid-20th century.

The original Broadway production ran from 2005 to 2008, earning eleven Tony Award nominations in 2006. An enthusiastically acclaimed Broadway revival opened in late 2015 and ran through early 2017, winning two 2016 Tony Awards—including Best Revival of a Musical.

Productions

Workshop and world premiere (2004–2005)

The Color Purple was originally workshopped by the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, in the summer of 2004 following Scott Sanders' optioning the work from Alice Walker in 1999 and auditioning various creative team members. The September 9, 2004, world premiere of the musical was produced by the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta by special arrangement with Creative Battery and Scott Sanders Productions.

For the Atlanta run, LaChanze starred as Celie, Felicia P. Fields as Sofia, Saycon Sengbloh as Nettie, Adriane Lenox as Shug and Kingsley Leggs as Mister. Gary Griffin staged the work, with scenic design by John Lee Beatty, lighting by Brian MacDevitt, costumes by Paul Tazewell and sound by Jon Weston.[1][2]

Broadway (2005–2008)

The musical opened on Broadway at The Broadway Theatre on December 1, 2005. It was directed by Gary Griffin, produced by Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey, with choreography by Donald Byrd and musical direction by Linda Twine. The musical closed on February 24, 2008, after 30 previews and 910 regular performances. The Broadway production recouped its $11 million investment within its first year on Broadway, and had grossed over $103 million by the time it closed.[3]

The original Broadway production starred LaChanze as Celie, Brandon Victor Dixon as Harpo, Felicia P. Fields as Sofia, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Nettie, Kingsley Leggs as Mister, Krisha Marcano as Squeak, and Elisabeth Withers-Mendes as Shug Avery.

First national tour (2007–2010)

Chicago (2007)

The First National tour began on April 17, 2007, starting with an extended run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. The company includes LaToya London as Nettie, Michelle Williams as Shug Avery, Felicia P. Fields as Sofia, and Jeannette Bayardelle as Celie, Stephanie St. James as Squeak. Bayardelle and Fields both are reprising their roles from Broadway. The show exceeded expectations, which necessitated a four-week extension of its Chicago engagement until September 30, 2007.[4] The original expectation was that the show would run in Chicago until November.[5] In all, the show produced respectable business results bringing in about $1 million per week for the first half of the engagement, but less during the summer months when the ticket prices were reduced to $39.50 to keep the theater full.[6]

Chicago was notable as a starting point of the national tour because Oprah Winfrey, a 1986 Academy Awards nominee in the film adaptation[7] is a Chicago resident.[8][9] In addition, Felicia Fields is a Chicago native and resident. It was also a homecoming for Gary Griffin. Both Fields and Griffin made their broadway theatre debuts with this musical.[10] As a result of the Chicago connections the Chicago premiere had a star-studded red carpet with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Jesse Jackson, R. Kelly, and Roger Ebert.[11] Others in attendance included United States Senator Carol Moseley Braun and Christie Hefner.[12] Coverage of the Chicago premiere was prominent in international media.[13]

Second national tour (2010–2011)

A second national tour with a new non-Equity cast opened on March 12, 2010 at the Lyric Opera House and visited numerous US cities, making several return engagements. The role of Celie was played by Detroit native Dayna Jarae Dantzler. The role of Shug Avery was played by New Orleans native Taprena Augustine. Tour stops include Omaha, Nashville, Fort Lauderdale, Mobile, Durham, and more.[14][15] Due to an overwhelming demand, the tour returned to New Orleans where it played a 5-show limited-engagement at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts from February 11–13, 2011.[16] In August 2010, Oprah Winfrey announced the traveling company of The Color Purple would be raising funds for the relief organization SBP along with the novel's author, Alice Walker.[17]

Third national tour (2012)

A third national tour with a non-Equity cast opened January 17, 2012 at the Francis Marion University PAC, in Florence, South Carolina, with previews in New Haven, CT at the Schubert Theater. The role of Celie is played by Washington, D.C. native Ashley L. Ware, and Taprena Augustine has reprised her role as Shug Avery alongside Dayna Quincy taking the role of Nettie (later taking the role of Celie at Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia). Tour stops include Nevada (Las Vegas & Reno), Alabama (Mobile), Pennsylvania (Williamsport, Reading & Bloomsburg), and more.[15]

London production (2013)

A first international production, directed by John Doyle, opened in London at The Menier Chocolate Factory on July 17, 2013. The limited run ended on September 14, 2013. The cast included Cynthia Erivo (Celie), Nicola Hughes (Shug) and Christopher Colquhoun (Mister/Albert).[18]

Broadway revival (2015–2017)

On January 9, 2015, producers Scott Sanders, Roy Furman, and Oprah Winfrey announced that the Menier Chocolate Factory production would be mounted on Broadway. Jennifer Hudson would make her Broadway debut in the role of Shug, Danielle Brooks would play the role of Sofia, and Cynthia Erivo would reprise her role as Celie. Kyle Jean-Baptiste was slated to be in it as well, but he died in August 2015.[19][20] Previews began November 10, 2015, with the official opening December 10 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.[21][22][23] Erivo won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, with the production taking home the 2016 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.[24] The production closed on January 8, 2017 after 33 previews and 449 performances.[25]

South Africa (2018)

The first major international staging of the musical since the Broadway revival, opened in Johannesburg, South Africa on 4 February 2018[26]

Netherlands (2018/2019)

The first translated production of The Color Purple opened on the 16th of April in Amsterdam at the NDSM wharf visited by the Queen of the Netherlands. This production was produced by Opus One and translated and directed by Koen van Dijk. The limited engagement will be followed by a tour in the autumn through several theatres in the Netherlands. It opened to positive reviews and starred newcomer Naomi van der Linden as Celie, Ana Milva Gomes as Shug Avery, Jeannine de la Rose as Sofia, Edwin Jonker as Mister and Carlos de Vries as Harpo.

Leicester and Birmingham (2019)

A new co-production between Curve, Leicester and Birmingham Hippodrome opened in Leicester from 28 June to 13 July, before transferring to Birmingham from 16 to 20 July 2019. The production was directed by Tinuke Craig.[27]

Canada (2019)

The Canadian premiere of The Color Purple opened in Halifax, Nova Scotia Neptune Theatre (Halifax) from 9 April to June 3. The production is directed by Kimberley Rampersad the first African-Canadian and female to helm the show. [28]

Brazil (2019)

The Brazilian production of the musical opened in Rio de Janeiro from 6 September to 3 November [29], before transferring to São Paulo from 6 December to 16 February [30]. The production was directed by Tadeu Aguiar [31].

Synopsis

Act I

On a Sunday morning in 1909, fourteen-year-old Celie – who has had one child by her father Alphonso and is now pregnant with her second – plays a clapping game with her younger sister Nettie. While attending services with the other members of their rural Georgia community, Celie goes into labor and is dragged out of the church as the congregation quietly looks on ("Huckleberry Pie/Mysterious Ways"). After Celie gives birth to a son, her father takes the child away and bluntly tells her he is going to get rid of it like the last one. Celie quietly says goodbye to her newborn and asks God for a sign ("Somebody Gonna Love You").

Four years later, local farmer and widower Albert "Mister" Johnson approaches Alphonso and asks permission to marry one of his daughters. Alphonso agrees, offering him Celie, instead of Nettie, and throwing a cow into the bargain. Although the girls promise never to be separated, Celie goes with Mister to save Nettie's dreams of becoming a teacher ("Our Prayer"). The local Church Ladies cluck their approval ("That Fine Mister") while Mister's field hands introduce Celie to a life of hard work ("Big Dog").

One day, Nettie arrives, explaining that she is tired of Alphonso's lecherous attentions and asking if she can stay. Mister agrees, but later attacks Nettie while she is walking to school. She fights back, prompting Mister to kick her out. Celie protests, but Mister swears they will never see each other again. As she leaves Mister's property, Nettie promises to write to Celie. But when she goes to the mailbox the next day, Mister slams the mailbox shut, threatening to kill her if he ever sees her touch it. ("Lily of the Field").

In 1920, Mister's son Harpo brings home Sofia, a strong-willed woman whom he later marries ("Dear God - Sofia"). When he complains that he is tired of Sofia bossing him around, Mister and Celie tell him the only way to get her to listen is to beat her. Harpo attempts to do so but ends up being beaten by Sofia ("A Tree Named Sofia"). After confronting Celie, Sofia learns the extent of Mister's cruelty and tells Celie to stand up for herself before leaving home to spend time with her sisters ("Hell No!").

Harpo decides to turn his house into a juke joint and engages in an affair with a waitress named Squeak, who moves in with him ("Brown Betty"). Sometime later, the community prepares for the arrival of jazz singer Shug Avery, who is revealed to be Mister's longtime lover ("Shug Avery Comin' to Town"). But when Shug arrives with her band, she is in such bad shape that Celie nurses her back to health in spite of local disapproval ("All We've Got to Say").

While tailoring a dress for Shug's debut, Celie experiences feelings of warmth and tenderness for the first time ("Dear God - Shug"). Shug, meanwhile, learns more about Celie's relationship with Mister and encourages her to find her inner strength ("Too Beautiful for Words"').

That night, at Harpo's Juke Joint, Shug brings down the house with a raucous blues number ("Push Da Button"). Sofia arrives with her new boyfriend Buster and dances with Harpo, prompting Squeak to pick a fight with her ("Uh Oh!"). The fight eventually escalates into a bar brawl, prompting Shug and Celie to escape.

After returning to Mister's house, Shug and Celie explore their newfound relationship ("What About Love?"). Shug uncovers several letters for Celie that have come from Africa. Celie recognizes Nettie's handwriting and realizes that her sister is alive ("Act I Finale").

Act II

While reading the letters that Mister has hidden from her, Celie learns Nettie is in Africa and is living with the missionary family that adopted her children ("African Homeland"). In Georgia, Sofia is arrested for assaulting the mayor after refusing to work for his wife. When Celie goes to visit her, she learns Sofia will serve out her sentence in the Mayor's custody.

In 1932, Shug brings her lover Grady over for Easter. After learning the extent of Celie's anger towards God, Shug invites her to come back to Memphis with her so they can enjoy the simple joys of life ("The Color Purple"). After sitting down to dinner ("Church Ladies' Easter"), Celie tells Mister that she is leaving and Squeak announces she is leaving as well. When Mister refuses and tries to beat her, Celie stands firm and curses him ("I Curse You, Mister"). Harpo then invites Sofia to come back and live at the Juke Joint, reconciling with her in the process. Eventually, Mister begins to feel the effect of Celie's curse. Harpo challenges his father to make things right after a bunch of terrible things happen to Mister, which force Mister to try to understand the meaning of Celie's curse and the meaning of life other than his tough childhood ("Mister's Song/Celie's Curse").

At Shug's Memphis home, Celie starts writing back to Nettie and discovers that she has a natural gift for making pants. After inheriting her childhood home, Celie starts a business and begins selling her designs ("Miss Celie's Pants"). Meanwhile, Harpo and Sofia hit it off and learn Mister is having difficulty getting Nettie and the children to come to the United States. The three resolve to make a plan. ("Any Little Thing")

Shug tells Celie she has fallen in love with a 19-year-old musician in her band and asks her permission to have one last fling with him. Meanwhile, Mister has reconciled his life ("What About Love? [Reprise]"). While walking home, Celie realizes she isn't destroyed by this and, for the first time, feels a deep love for herself ("I'm Here").

Several years later, while hosting a Fourth of July picnic for the community, Celie hears a car horn and a familiar voice from her childhood. It is Nettie singing the clapping song they sang years ago. They both run to each other and hug with Celie's children right behind them all grown up. After learning that Mister and Shug have made the reunion possible, Celie thanks them and God for reuniting her with her sister ("The Color Purple [Reprise]").

Cast

Original casts of notable productions

Character 2005 Broadway 2007 U.S. Tour 2010 U.S. Tour 2013 Off-West End 2015 Broadway Revival 2017 U.S. Tour
Celie LaChanze Jeannette Bayardelle Kenita R. Miller Cynthia Erivo Adrianna Hicks
Shug Avery Elisabeth Withers Michelle Williams Angela Robinson Nicola Hughes Jennifer Hudson Carla R. Stewart
Sofia Felicia P. Fields Sophia Nomvete Danielle Brooks Carrie Compere
Mister/Albert Kingsley Leggs Rufus Bonds, Jr. Christopher Colquhoun Isaiah Johnson Gavin Gregory
Harpo Brandon Victor Dixon Stu James Adebayo Bolaji Kyle Scatliffe J. Daughtry
Nettie Renée Elise Goldsberry LaToya London Abiona Omonua Joaquina Kalukango N'Jameh Camara

Cast replacements

  • Fantasia Barrino assumed the role of Celie in the original Broadway production from April 10, 2007, to January 6, 2008, becoming the first American Idol winner on Broadway.[32] Fantasia reprised her performance as Celie in the 2010 National tour from June 30 to September 13, 2010.
  • Heather Headley assumed the role of Shug Avery from Jennifer Hudson in the 2015 Broadway revival on May 10, 2016.[33]
  • Jennifer Holliday assumed the role of Shug Avery from Heather Headley in the 2015 revival on October 4, 2016.
  • Nathaniel Stampley assumed the role of Mister from Isaiah Johnson in the 2015 revival on November 15, 2016. [34]

Musical numbers

†Not included on the 2015 Revival Cast Recording

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production

Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result Ref
2006 Tony Award Best Musical Nominated [35]
Best Book of a Musical Marsha Norman Nominated
Best Original Score Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray Nominated
Best Actress in a Musical LaChanze Won
Best Featured Actor in a Musical Brandon Victor Dixon Nominated
Best Featured Actress in a Musical Felicia P. Fields Nominated
Elizabeth Withers-Mendez Nominated
Best Choreography Donald Byrd Nominated
Best Scenic Design John Lee Beatty Nominated
Best Costume Design Paul Tazewell Nominated
Best Lighting Design Brian MacDevitt Nominated
Theatre World Award Felicia P. Fields Won [36]
Elisabeth Withers-Mendes Won
2007 Grammy Award Best Musical Show Album Nominated
Theatre World Award Fantasia Barrino Honoree [37]

2015 Broadway revival

Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result Ref
2016 Tony Award Best Revival of a Musical Won [38]
Best Actress in a Musical Cynthia Erivo Won
Best Featured Actress in a Musical Danielle Brooks Nominated
Best Direction of a Musical John Doyle Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical Nominated [39]
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Cynthia Erivo Won
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Danielle Brooks Nominated
Outstanding Director of a Musical John Doyle Won
Outstanding Orchestrations Catherine Jayes and Joseph Joubert Nominated
Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical Jane Cox Nominated
Drama League Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical Won [40]
Distinguished Performance Cynthia Erivo Nominated
Jennifer Hudson Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Revival of a Musical Nominated [41]
Outstanding Actress in a Musical Cynthia Erivo Won
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Danielle Brooks Nominated
Theatre World Award Cynthia Erivo Honoree [42]
Danielle Brooks Honoree
2017 Grammy Award Best Musical Theater Album Won [43]
Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program Cynthia Erivo and the Cast of The Color Purple on Today Won [44][45]

References

  1. ^ "Alice Walker Novel Sings as 'The Color Purple' Musical Starts World Premiere, Sept. 9" Archived 2006-05-23 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, September 2004
  2. ^ Broadwayworld.com, March 2004 "Alliance Theatre to Premiere 'The Color Purple' A New Musical" broadwayworld.com, 2004
  3. ^ "Broadway's 'The Color Purple' Will Close Feb. 24" Archived 2008-01-27 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, January 24, 2008.
  4. ^ Hetrick, Adam (2007-07-17). "The Color Purple Extends Chicago Run By a Month". Playbill News. Playbill, Inc. Archived from the original on 2007-12-30. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  5. ^ "The Color Purple to Begin National Tour in Chicago in 2007". Broadway.com, Inc. 2006-03-06. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  6. ^ Jones, Chris (2007-09-28). "'Color Purple' makes its exit". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  7. ^ "The Color Purple (1985)". rogerebert.com. 2004-03-28. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  8. ^ "Oprah at Chicago premiere of 'Purple'". USA TODAY. 2007-05-06. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  9. ^ "Oprah Winfrey attends Chicago premiere of "The Color Purple"". the International Herald Tribune. 2007-05-03. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
  10. ^ Morgan, Scott C. (2007-05-09). "Theater: The Color Purple". Windy City Times. Windy City Media Group. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  11. ^ Baca, Stacey (2007-05-04). "Winfrey attends Chicago premiere of 'The Color Purple'". ABC Inc., WLS-TV/DT Chicago, IL. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  12. ^ "Oprah's 'Purple' Opens In Chicago: Local Celebrities Step Onto Red Carpet". NBC Universal, Inc. 2007-05-04. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  13. ^ "People: Avril Lavigne, Oprah Winfrey, Don Imus". the International Herald Tribune. 2007-05-04. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
  14. ^ "'The Color Purple' tour listing" phoenix-ent.com
  15. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-02-27. Retrieved 2010-03-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) colorpurple.com
  16. ^ [1] facebook.com
  17. ^ Flaherty, Jordan (2010). Floodlines: Community and Resistance from Katrina to the Jena Six. Chicago, Illinois: Haymarket Books. pp. 130–131. ISBN 9781608460656.
  18. ^ Fisher, Phillip. The Color Purple - The Musical britishtheatreguide.info, retrieved January 27, 2018
  19. ^ "Kyle Jean-Baptiste, 1st Black Actor to Play Jean Valjean on Broadway, Dies in Fall". CBS News. August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  20. ^ Rutti, Ron (August 29, 2015). "Baldwin Wallace Graduate Kyle Jean-Baptiste, Youngest to Play 'Les Miserables' Lead, Is Dead at 21". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  21. ^ "Jennifer Hudson Will Make Broadway Debut in Color Purple Revival". Playbill.com. 2015-01-09. Retrieved 2015-04-01.
  22. ^ Hetrick, Adam and Viagas, Robert. "Broadway 'Color Purple' Revival With Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo Sets Full Cast" Playbill, October 6, 2015
  23. ^ Playbill Staff. "The Verdict: Read Reviews for Broadway 'Color Purple' Revival, With Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo" playbill.com, December 11, 2015
  24. ^ "The Tony Award Nominees - Winners". TonyAwards.com. Retrieved 2016-06-21.
  25. ^ Viagas, Robert. "Broadway 'Color Purple' Posts Closing Notice", Playbill, October 30, 2016
  26. ^ "THE COLOR PURPLE (info)". Joburg Theatre. 2016-11-17. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
  27. ^ Desk, BWW News. "Curve and Birmingham Hippodrome Announce Co-Production of THE COLOR PURPLE". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2018-08-17. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  28. ^ Star, Toronto News. "Neptune Theatre puts humanity on stage". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2019-02-27.
  29. ^ ""A Cor Púrpura" ganha versão nacional e estreia no Rio de Janeiro". A Broadway é Aqui (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2019-09-09. Retrieved 2019-12-08.
  30. ^ "'A Cor Púrpura, o Musical' estreia em SP". ISTOÉ Independente (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2019-12-06. Retrieved 2019-12-08.
  31. ^ "A Cor Púrpura". VEJA SÃO PAULO (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2019-12-08.
  32. ^ "American Idol's Fantasia Barrino to Join The Color Purple". broadwayworld.com. Wisdom Digital Media. 2007-02-22. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
  33. ^ Paulson, Michael. "Jennifer Hudson to Exit 'Color Purple'; Enter Heather Headley" The New York Times, April 7, 2016
  34. ^ BWW News Desk. "THE COLOR PURPLE to Welcome New 'Mister' on Broadway" BroadwayWorld.com, October 24, 2016
  35. ^ Staff, Playbill (June 12, 2006). "Just the Facts: List of 2006 Tony Award Winners and Nominees". Playbill.com. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  36. ^ Staff, Broadway.com (May 12, 2006). "Winners of the 2006 Theatre World Awards Announced". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  37. ^ Staff, New York Theatre Wire. "63rd ANNUAL THEATRE WORLD AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED". New York Theatre Wire. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  38. ^ Respers France, Lisa (June 13, 2016). "Tony Awards 2016: The Winners List". CNN. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  39. ^ Viagas, Robert (April 28, 2016). "She Loves Me Leads Drama Desk Nominations". Playbill.com. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  40. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 20, 2016). "2016 Drama League Awards Nominations Announced". Playbill.com. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  41. ^ Viagas, Robert (April 19, 2016). "2016 Outer Critics Circle Nominees Announced". Playbill.com. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  42. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 2, 2016). "Theatre World Awards Announce 2016 Winners". Playbill.com. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  43. ^ "2017 Grammy Awards: Complete list of nominees". Los Angeles Times. December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  44. ^ "The 44th Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations" (PDF). New York City: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  45. ^ "The 44th Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Winners" (PDF). Los Angeles: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. March 22, 2017. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
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