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Purlie
Music by Gary Geld
Lyrics by Peter Udell
Book by Ossie Davis. Philip Rose & Peter Udell
Based on the Play Purlie Victorious by Ossie Davis
Directed by Sheldon Epps
Choreographed by Kenneth Lee Roberson
Musical direction by Ronald (Rahn) Coleman
At The Goodman Theatre
170 N. Dearborn
Chicago, IL
Call 312-443-3800, tickets $20 - $75
Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 7:30 PM
Thursdays at 2 & 7:30 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 2 & 8 PM
Sundays at 2 & 7:30 PM
Running time is 2 hours, 20 minutes with intermission
Through October 30, 2005
“The purpose of Purlie is to point a mocking finger at racial segregation and laugh it out of existence.” __Ossie Davis
Purlie is a funny, rollicking musical that’ll knock your socks off!
Sure Purlie is full of archetypical characters, over-the-top performances inflated and outlandish situations. It was designed to be that way. Those who attack this tremendous show simply don’t get what it is about. Ossie Davis and his collaborators set out to first hold up, right in our faces, the ignorant evil plantation owner and the Uncle Tom’s who served him together with the classic Black stereotypes to a ridiculous degree showing how stupid they are in the modern world. The use of self-deprecating humor demonstrates the maturity of African-American writers. These devices aptly set the tone and underscore the show’s me ssage.
I sat with a veteran of the 1950-60’s Civil Rights protests, himself a preacher. He told me that Purlie has historical significance that must be shown to the young African-Americans. He went on to say that Purlie is a dramatic statement that uses the stimulation of music, dance and silly characters to dramatize past racial injustices. I totally agree.
Purlie was performed 688 times in its 1970 Broadway run. It made stars of Cleavon Little, Melba Moore and Sherman Hensley. Purlie paved they way for later sophisticated Black musicals. After 35 years, Purlie makes a triumphant return to Chicago stages. The Goodman Theatre’s production is superb!
Featuring a cast of 19, including Paulette Ivory (Lutiebelle Gussie MaeJenkins), Jacques C. Smith (Purlie Victorious Judson), E. Faye Butler (Aunt Missy Judson) and Harrison White (Gitlow Judson), Putlie is a rousing, high-energy musical that grabs you and gets you tapping you toes from the opening gospel number, “Walk Him Up the Stairs.” The enthusiastic opening night audience bravely endured a 35 minute technical delay right after the opening song. (This rare occurrence reminds us of the quality production values the Goodman Theatre.) The delay allowed us to see the terrific opening number again.
Purlie has an outstanding score filled with an assortment of gospel, R & B, jazz, pop and Broadway show tune styled songs. Pulie’s humor abounds as it uses parody, farce and satire with almost cartoon characterizations utilizing elements of Commedia dell’arte to both entertain and ridicule racial bigotry. Purlie blends traditional musical comedy forms in a tuneful, well sung, well danced show that exudes a spirited sophisticated slick style. Its message of taking control of one’s own life rings out with passion.
Jacques C. Smith gives Purlie the charm and warmth to makes us care about him. E. Faye Butler plays Aunt Missy commandingly. She lands her part of the haunting blues duet “Down Home” with Smith, emotionally as she lets her strong vocals speak to our hearts. Paulette Ivory plays Lutiebelle as a cartoon character yet she nails her song with skill. I like the work of Harrison White as Gitlow. His comic timing is terrific. Billy Gill as the enlightened Bob Dylan want-to-be, Charlie Cotchipee and Lyle Kanouse as the evil Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee big-daddy type offer yeoman performances. Purlie dances with zest and artistry under choreographer Kenneth Lee Roberson and his fine ensemble. The second act opening number, “First Thing Monday Morning” is an angry protest dance number featuring the company busy in the cotton fields depicting their back-breaking work that contains ballet movements. This imaginative number was splendid.
Purlie’s humor seems quaint, almost simplistic but it contains a strong message deftly delivered and dressed up through an exhilarating score. Purlie is so entertaining that reaches us on all levels. As a Broadway musical, Purlie is a knockout. Its relevance and message still needs to be heard in the 21st Century.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Chicago Stage Talk Radio Show
This show eligible for a C.S.T. Equity Theatre Award
September 27, 2005
Jeff Recommended
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