Tony Tuesday: The Color Purple

This week we are going back to a revival performance in the teenies. Who wants a slice of musical theatre heaven? This week’s TONY Tuesday is:

“Mysterious Ways/I’m Here” from The Color Purple from the 2016 TONY Awards ceremony.

The Color Purple is a musical adaptation of the best-selling book by Alice Walker. It tells the 30-year long story of Celie, an African-American living in the South from the early to mid-twentieth century. It follows her rise from abuse and subjugation to learning to love herself and paving her own path in this world independently. 

The rights for the story were optioned back in 1999 by Scott Sanders. He spent two years convincing author Alice Walker, who was initially reluctant at the thought of her Pulitzer prize-winning book being adapted. Sanders then spent a further five years auditioning various writing and creative teams in order to get the correct match for such an important and iconic story. The show was workshopped in 2004 at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia with a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Following the workshop, the musical opened at the venue in September of the same year starring LaChanze as Celie, Felicia P Fields as Sofia, Saycon Sengbloh as Nettie, Adriane Lennox as Shug and Kingsley Leggs as Mister. 

After a successful out of town try out in Atlanta, the production transferred to New York, opening at The Broadway Theatre on 1 December 2005. The production was again directed by Gerry Griffin, with choreography by Donald Byrd, scenic design by John Lee Beatty, lighting by Brian MacDevitt, costumes by Paul Tazewel, sound by Jon Watson and musical direction by Linda Twine. The production opened to rave reviews garnering eleven Tony Award nominations. The opening night cast featured LaChanze as Celie, Brandon Victor Dixon as Harpo, Felicia P Fields as Sofie, Renee Elise Goldsberry as Nettie, Kingsley Leggs as Mister and Elisabeth Withers-Mendes. The production managed to recoup its $11million investment within its first year and had grossed over $108million by the time it closed after its just over two-year run. The production was also co-produced by Quincey Jones and Oprah Winfrey. There have been three tours produced around North America, first in 2007 and then again in 2010 and 2012 with the latter two being non-equity. 

The first international production was mounted at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory in 2013. The critically acclaimed sold-out production ran for two months. It was directed by John Doyle and starred Cynthia Erivo as Celie, Nicola Hughes as Shug Avery, Sophia Nomvete as Sofia, Christopher Colquhoun as Mister, Adebayo Bolaji as Harpo and Abiona Omonua as Nettie. 

In 2015, original producers Scott Sanders, Roy Furman and Oprah Winfrey announced they would be transferring the Menier Chocolate Factory production to Broadway with Cynthia Erivo reprising her role as Celie. It was also announced that Erivo would be joined by Danielle Brooks as Sofia and Jennifer Hudson as Shug Avery. Actor Kyle Jean-Baptiste was slated to appear as Harpo, however, he tragically died in a fall in August of that year and the role was assumed by Kyle Scatliffe. The production, again directed by Doyle, opened to rave reviews and won Tony Awards for ‘Best Revival’ and ‘Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical’ for Erivo. 

In 2018, it was announced that the musical will be adapted into a motion picture, using the same production companies as the original, as well as Steven Spielberg who directed the film coming on board as co-producer alongside Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders and Oprah Winfrey. The film is to be penned by Marcus Gardley and directed by Blitz Bazawule who directed the recent film Black is King. 

If you haven’t listened to this stunning show yet Besties, what are you waiting for?!

Cast recordings are available on streaming services. 

FACTS:

Music: Brenda Russell, Alle Willis and Stephen Bray
Lyrics: Brenda Russell, Alle Willis and Stephen Bray
Book: Marsha Norman
Theatre: The Broadway Theatre 
Run: 1 December 2005 – 24 February 2008 (30 previews and 910 regular performances)

TONYS:

(NOMINATED) Best Direction of a Musical – John Doyle (2016), Best Featured Actor in a Musical – Felicia P Fields, Elizabeth Withers-Mendez (2006), Danielle Brooks (2016), Best Book of a Musical – Masha Norman, Best Original Score – Brenda Russell, Alle Willis and Stephen Bray, Best Featured Actor in a Musical – Brandon Victor Dixon, Best Choreography – Daniel Byrd, Best Scenic Design – John Lee Beatty, Best Costume Design  - Paul Tazewell, Best Lighting Design – Brian MacDevitt 

(WON) Best Actress in a Musical – LaChanze (2006), Cynthia Erivo (2016), Best Revival of a Musical (2016)