I was in NYC yesterday for some meetings and had the very good fortune of being at the premiere of The Color Purple on Broadway. Now, folks who know me know that I’m a music guy…so when I go to theater I’m not able to “critique” a Broadway show the way I can, say, a Mahler symphony. So my response to what I saw and heard last night has to be purely visceral and emotional.
Before the curtain went up, you knew this was the place to be…if you‘ve ever been to a star-studded New York opening, complete with red carpet, gangs of news crews and TV trucks, flash bulbs going off, paparazzi leaning over barrier railings screaming at stars for photo opps, police everywhere with street closings, autograph hounds, and throngs of the rich and famous, you’ll know just how heady this stuff is…Spike Lee, David Bowie, Oprah Winfrey, The Donald, and more…
From the moment the curtain went up, the audience was committed, their hearts were there with every character on stage. And these were people to love and hate and despise and envy and cheer for and believe in. The Color Purple story is a powerful one and I think the transfer to the Broadway stage was effective, or at least as effective as it could be in two one hour + acts. Sure there were things to quibble with, such as an occasional lull, or for example the stage was too narrow for the African dancers who had incredible leaps and flips, or the sound was at times inadequate so some dialogue was hard to hear. But these were minor overall.
The music was for me a terrifically important part of it all and exceptional. Not only is that NY Broadway pit band just superb (man, these guys just played up a storm) but the music encompassed many styles, including folk, blues, funk, gospel, typical B’way show tune kind of thing, and more and played a key role in portraying the emotion of the moment.
I think this show can’t miss and should do well both on Broadway and hopefully in any market in the country. If you’re in NY during the run, however long it may be, do whatever it takes to get a ticket…Run, don’t walk!
I agree this was a great play I strongly recommend it and if you gave the chance do go see it n don't walk run. What I have to strongly disagree on is the sound my experience was different I heard eveerything very clear. As I said before this is a MUST see.
A must see show. I have my personall favorite, but you should go and see The Color Purple. I recommend it. For more information about the play, you can go to http://www.theatre.com/
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THE SHOW. I HAVE SEEN THE SHOW TWICE AND PREFERRED ANGELA ROBINSON IN THE PART SHUG AVERY. HOWEVER, I DO HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE RUDE BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE OF THE BOX OFFICE STAFF. WE PURCHASED "RUSH" TICKETS AND TREATED AS IF WE WERE THEIVES OR BEGGARS. I HAVE PURCHASED "RUSH" TICKETS AT OTHER THEATERS AND WAS TREATED WITH THE SAME COURTESY AND RESPECT AS ANY OTHER PATRON. COULD THIS BE RACISM? OR ARE THEY RUDE TO ALL?