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The Color Purple

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

May not be suitable for younger audiences members due to adult themes

Run Time

Two hours and 35 minutes including one intermission

Dates

Finished Jan 8, 2017

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

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Customer reviews

1 reviews, average rating: (5.0 Stars)

Jenny

Loved Color Purple

I can't say enough about this musical. Excellent performances all around, especially the lead. ... Read more

C Andrews

One of the best I have seen

One of the best shows I have seen in quite a while! Story stayed true to the movie but had an unexpected enjoyable twist of laughter added to it! ... Read more

Ellen R.

Enargy & Pathos

Phenomenal peoduction at Las Vegas Smth Center. Loved the energy and talent, balancing the difficult emotions. Great front row seats, tho no seat is bad at Smith Center. Dinner at Casa Don Juan's capped a lovely afternoon ... Read more
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