The Color Purple
"The Color Purple" has been born again...The current version is a slim, fleet-footed beauty, simply attired and beguilingly modest. Don't be deceived, though, by its air of humility. There's a deep wealth of power within its restraint."
Ben Brantley, The New York Times
Why see The Color Purple?
Winner of two tony awards - Closes January 8th!
The Color Purple is back on Broadway, produced by Oprah Winfrey. Featuring a jazz and gospel score by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, this musical is the redemptive story of a poor black girl's journey through 1930's America. Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday (Dreamgirls) leads the cast as Shug Avery, with Danielle Brooks as Sofia and Cynthia Erivo as Cecile, the role that earned her a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical!
A Long Awaited Return
Based on the book by Alice Walker, which was subsequently adapted into a Steven Spielberg movie, The Color Purple first hit Broadway in 2005. The show has since crossed the Atlantic, playing London's Menier Chocolate Factory, in a production which streamlined the plot and honed the emotional heart of the story. And now it returns, ready to conquer The Great White Way all over again!
What is The Color Purple About?
Set in the early 1900s, The Color Purple centers on the life of Celie, a young black girl living in rural Georgia. Her father Alphonso is abusive, and has fathered two children by his daughter, both of whom he has 'got rid of'. Celie is then married off to the unloving Mister, a local farmer, who treats her as nothing more than a household slave. In the midst of all this hardship comes Shug Avery (Hudson), a local lounge singer with none too saintly a reputation, who befriends Celie and gives her the belief to battle against the odds, and change her life for the better.
Key Information
Audience
Run Time
Dates
Cast
Jennifer Holiday as Shug Avery
Cynthia Erivo as Celie
Carrie Compere as Sofia
Nathaniel Stampley as Mister
Joaquina Kalukango as Nettie
Kyle Scatliffe as Harpo
Ensemble: Phoenix Best, Dwayne Clark, Lawrence Clayton, Carrie Compere, Patrice Covington, Adrianna Hicks, Bre Jackson, Grasan Kingsberry, Kevyn Morrow, Ken Robinson, Antoine L. Smith, Carla R. Stewart, Akron Watson, and Rema Webb.
Creative
Book: Marsha Norman
Music & Lyrics: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis & Stephen Bray
Director: John Doyle
Awards
2016 Tony Award Wins
Best Revival of a Musical
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical - Cynthia Erivo
2016 Tony Award Nominations
Best Revival of a Musical
Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical - Cynthia Erivo
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Danielle Brooks
Best Direction of a Musical - John Doyle
2016 Drama Desk Award Wins
Outstanding Actress in a Musical - Cynthia Erivo
Outstanding Director of a Musical - John Doyle
Reviews
Our review
Beautiful, moving, engrossing
The book leaves the audience feeling empowered and hopeful for change. The music and lyrics are beautiful and we felt the shifts and changes of Celie's journey which represents so many African American lives. As Erivo sings "I'm Here" you sense the respo
Nicola Quinn
Customer reviews
Jenny
Loved Color Purple
C Andrews
One of the best I have seen
Ellen R.
Enargy & Pathos