For me always a heartfelt story, one of redemption and revenge, but with a great lesson. It always makes me cry like a baby, I am just filled with emotions and joy all at the same time.
I had a client a while back La Toya London from American Idol fame and she was in the touring company, she played Nettie. A few years back I went to see her on closing night in Chicago and had the honor of going to the cast party and met all the amazing cast at that time, I was truly smitten. The only real thing between then and now is the set. The installed 3 very high wooden flats that housed many chairs that were hung by hooks. The cast only used these different wooden chars to depict all of the sets of the show. Obviously it took some imagination, and if you never saw the show before you would not have known the difference, for me it was a very ingenious way to pull off this outstanding show.
About the show:
The Cast:
Adam – Darnell Abraham, Guard – Amar Atkins, Bobby/Buster – Kyle E. Baird, Church Lady, Angela Birchett, Nettie – N’ Jameh Camara, Sofia – Carrie Compere, Harpo – J. DAUGHTRY, Squeak – Erica Durham, Mister – Gavin Gregory, Celie – Adrianna Hicks, Church Lady – Bianca Horn, Grady – Mekhai Lee, Olivia – Gabrielle Reid, Preacher/Ol’ Mister – C.E. Smith, Shug Avery – Carla R. Stewart, Pa – J.D. Webbster, Church Lady – Brit West.
Orchestra Conductor / Keys 1: Darryl Archibald Associate Conductor / Keys 2: Wayne Green Guitar (Electric, Acoustic, Dobro, Harmonica, 12 String): Michael Karcher Bass (Electric, Acoustic): Chris Thigpen Drums: Trevor Holder Keyboard Programming: Randy Cohen Music Coordinator: Talitha Fehr Local Orchestra Alto Sax/Clarinet/Flute/Alto Flute: Frank Fontaine Bari Sax/Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Tenor Sax: Richard Mitchell Trumpet/Flugelhorn: Aaron Smith Keyboard Sub: William Malpede Orchestra Contractor: Eric Heinly
Brenda Russell – Composer/Lyricist, Allee Willis – Composer/Lyricist, Stephen Bray – Composer/Lyricist, John Doyle – Direction/Set Design/Musical Staging, Ann Hould-Ward – Costume Designer, Jane Cox – Lighting Designer, Charles G. La Pointe – Wig and Hair Design, Catherine Jays – Music Supervisor, Darryl Archibald – Music Director Conductor, Telsey + Company – Casting, Richard A. Leigh – Stage Manager.
The Musical Numbers:
Act One:
“Huckleberry Pie” – Celie and Nettie “Mysterious Ways”, The Company -“Somebody Gonna Love You” – Celie, “Our Prayer” – Nettie, Celie and Mister, “Big Dog” – Mister and Men, “Hell No!” – Sofia and Women, “Brown Betty” – Harpo, Squeak and Men, “Shug Avery Comin’ to Town” – Mister, Celie and Company, “Too Beautiful for Words” – Shug, “Push da Button” – Shug and Company, “Uh Oh!” – The Company, “What About Love?” – Celie and Shug.
Act Two:
“African Homeland” – Nettie, Celie and Company, “The Color Purple” – Shug,
“Celie’s Curse” – Mister, “Miss Celie’s Pants” – Celie and Women, “Any Little Thing” – Harpo and Sofia, “I’m Here” – Celie, “The Color Purple” (Reprise) – Celie and Company.
The beauty of the Art Deco glory of The Pantages Theater enhances everything about this show; it remains that most glamour’s backdrop of a venue ever.
It is a more simpler version of the film, directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Whoopi Goldberg and Danny Glover, but it still follows the same story, a story that resonates in today’s world, not missing a beat, you will be entertained and enlightened, after all it did win The Best Musical Revival Tony in 2016.
The Color Purple runs from May 29 – June 17 2018
The Pantages Theater
6233 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 468-1770
https://www.hollywoodpantages.com/events/detail/thecolorpurple
