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The Color Purple
The Musical about Love
Based on Alice Walker’s novel
Book by Marsha Norman
Music & Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis & Stephen Bray
Directed by Gary Griffin
Choreographed by Donald Byrd
Produced by Oprah Winfrey, etc
Broadway in Chicago
At the Cadillac Palace Theatre
151 W. Randolph
Chicago, IL
312-902-1400, tickets $28 - $85
Tuesdays at 7:30 pm
Wednesdays at 2 & 7:30 pm
Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Fridays at 8 pm
Saturdays at 2 & 8 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
Running time 2 hours, 20 minutes
Through September 30, 2007
Dear God," writes the 14-year-old Celie. "Maybe you can give me a sign letting me know what is happening to me."
Not since Porgy and Bess has African-American rural life been so aptly presented.
It has arrived in Chicago so confident and polished, so well sung and so emotionally honest that it leaves audiences teary-eyed yet uplifted. The Color Purple is a major theatrical achievement. It is a wonderful adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel and Stephen Spielberg’s film. Amazingly, director Gary Griffin has found a seamless way to bridge the 40 year span covered here (1909-1949). Filled with powerful voices and musical styles ranging from work songs, blues, gospel, R & B to honky tonk, jazz, be-bop and swing, The Color Purple’s musical is a toe-tapping sophisticated gem.
The epic story centers on a young, gangly and ugly girl, Celie (the mesmerizing Jeannette Bayardelle) who is ‘given’ to Mister (Rufus Bonds, Jr.) a cruel, physically abusive and uncaring man already beset with wild children. We see Celie being separated from her sister Nettie (LaToya London) since she will not have sex with Mister during her visits to Celie. Nettie goes to school and ends up a missionary in Africa.
Celie settles in for a long and abusive relationship as a housekeeper to the nasty Mister. Marsha Norman’s book never retreats from the pain, anguish and demeaning treatment of woman by their men. Yet, the show has many funny moments as it blends with the pain and torment suffered by women with deeply human moments.
From the rousing early church gospel number, “Mysterious Ways,” the excellent score by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephan Bray captures the mood and the openly emotional world these folks occupy. The use of three gospel singing Church Ladies (Kimberly Ann Harris, Virginia Ann Woodruff and Lynette Dupree) adds humor and bridges the story line nicely. Celie never receives Nettie’s letters over the years since Mister’s need for control and his cruelty dominates.
Mister’s son Harpo (Sty James) marries Sofia (the fabulous Felicia P. Fields) and he quickly discovers the strongest-willed woman ever. Sophia and Harpo forge a relationship that finds Sophia in charge. In the show-stopper “Hell No!,” Sofia established herself as ‘untouchable.’ When Shug Avery (Michelle Williams) arrives at Mister’s house, both Mister and Celie fall in love with the charismatic jute singer. Over the years Celie and Shug bond in a mutually supportive love relationship. At last Celie find someone to love her. Shug’s jute join blues number “Push Da Button” was a hoot and the haunting “What About Love” duet by Celie and Shug was a telling moment.
The Color Purple covers the 40 years with colorful period costumes, graying of hair and fine transitions that convey through the vivid lighting and rustic sets the atmosphere of rural Tennessee as it emerges into modern 2oth Century America.
This gem of a musical features sensual choreography by Donald Bryd. Felicia P. Fields is in full command with her large voice and excellent acting chops. Michelle Williams is a surprisingly strong actor besides being a terrific singer. Stu James’ Harpo and Rufus Bonds, Jr.’s Mister added depth to the show. LaToya London as Nettie and the ensemble weaved a rich blend of song, dance and humor to this poignant story. The act two African dance rhythms move to into a picturesque African ritual.
Ultimately, The Color Purple is Celie’s show and Jannette Bayardlee gave a tour de force performance as she went from the timid teen to a strong, ever-hopeful woman of internal strength without losing her wonder at the beauty in the world. Bayardlee is an insightful and honest actor with a fabulous voice. She nailed the anthem “I’m Here” with such power and emotion that belted into the rafters. That was a true ‘Broadway moment’ not to be forgotten. A star is born with Jeannette Bayardelle. Her performance anchors the show and is, alone, enough to justify see The Color Purple.
The Color Purple is a musical about love, hope, redemption, forgiveness and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit. There was the great Porgy and Bess from the 20th Century and now there is The Color Purple for the 21st Century.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2007
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