Purlie
Purlie
superperson
Stand-by Joined: 8/30/03
#1re: Purlie
Posted: 2/12/05 at 3:20pmDunno, but I recall Cleavon Little winning a Tony as Purlie (did you know Ossie Davis wrote PURLIE VICTORIOUS and starred in it and wrote the book for the musical PURLIE?) AND the divine Melba Moore tearfully accepting her Tony for her supporting work in PURLIE. If memory servces me correctly, Ms. Moore performed I GOT LOVE from PURLIE on the Tonys to a thunderous reception.
Marquise
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/1/04
#2re: Purlie
Posted: 2/12/05 at 4:05pm
I love this show. I was in the ensemble in my high school production of it. Before doing it my drama teacher had us watch the movie version of the original play "Purlie Victorious" titled "Gone Are The Days" which was filmed in 1963 and starred Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee. We then watched the 1981 filmed version of the musical and he then had us study the Original Broadway Cast Album before prepping for the show. It's one of my personal favorites.
Updated On: 2/12/05 at 04:05 PM
#3re: Purlie
Posted: 2/12/05 at 4:09pmI'm curious about the City Center casting, too. I'm going to see it for a class.
#4re: Purlie
Posted: 2/12/05 at 5:49pmAnika Noni Rose would be wonderful in the show, but she's on tour with CAROLINE.
#5re: Purlie
Posted: 2/12/05 at 6:43pm
"(did you know Ossie Davis wrote PURLIE VICTORIOUS and starred in it and wrote the book for the musical PURLIE?)"
The book was by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose and Peter Udell.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#6re: Purlie
Posted: 2/12/05 at 10:13pm
Saw the original with Cleavon Little, Melba Moore & Sherman ( The Jeffersons ) Helmsley
Opening number was a real barn burner . The show, as I recall , was quite good.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#7re: Purlie
Posted: 2/12/05 at 10:31pmI may have a ticket up for sale.
#8re: Purlie
Posted: 2/13/05 at 12:22am
"Saw the original with Cleavon Little, Melba Moore & herman ( The Jeffersons ) Helmsley"
You mean Sherman Helmsley.
MargoChanning
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
#9re: Purlie
Posted: 2/13/05 at 12:47amThey haven't announce casting yet, but I have my fingers crossed for Norm Lewis and Anika Noni Rose (who may be finshed with the Caroline tour at that point) or Marcy Harriell.
Mattio98
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/10/03
#12re: Purlie
Posted: 2/13/05 at 10:26amSally Murphy is currently in FIDDLER, but that's not stopping her from performing in A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN. It's only for four days.
MargoChanning
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
#13re: Purlie
Posted: 2/23/05 at 11:50am
All I can say is WOW!!!!! Anika, Blair Underwood, Lillias and John Cullum -- I can't wait to see this next month!
From Playbill.com:
"L.A. Law" star Blair Underwood will portray Purlie in the March 31-April 3 concert production of the musical Purlie! at the City Center Encores! series, Playbill.com has learned.
He will be supported by three Tony winners: Caroline, or Change's Anika Noni Rose, The Life's Lillias White and Shenandoah and On the Twentieth Century's John Cullum."
#14re: Purlie
Posted: 2/23/05 at 11:59amWhy do I always miss the good stuff?!!! I won't be in New York until late April so I will miss this! Purlie is the 1st show I ever saw. And I have seen it twice. I pray that they record this performance.
sweetiedarlinmia
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/8/04
#15re: Purlie
Posted: 2/23/05 at 1:18pm
WHY DOES THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN WHEN I'M NOT UP THERE!
Ok Got to find a way to get up there. I am NOT missing this great cast.
#16re: Purlie
Posted: 2/23/05 at 1:22pmI am seeing Purlie on Friday April 1st. It is going to be amazing!!! Great cast.
sparky310
Featured Actor Joined: 11/10/03
#17re: Purlie
Posted: 2/23/05 at 3:45pmi saw her in caroline..great voice..but not a tony award performance
#19re: Purlie
Posted: 2/23/05 at 3:56pmsparky - I agree with you. And she has a nice voice, however, it needs much amplification in order to be heard.
#20re: Purlie
Posted: 2/23/05 at 3:59pmRath, for probably the first time ever, I disagree with you. I thought Anika richly deserved her Tony.
MargoChanning
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
#21re: Purlie
Posted: 2/23/05 at 4:00pmMe too.
#22re: Purlie
Posted: 2/23/05 at 4:03pmI thought she probably did - her hype was enormous and I bought it - until I saw the show, which was months after the Tonys. Having seen NEVER GONNA DANCE, and then seeing COC, I was shocked that she won over Ziemba. And that's not bias.
#23re: Purlie
Posted: 2/23/05 at 4:03pmAlthough, Veanne should have been nominated. But even if she was, Anika should have and would have won.
TxTwoStep
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/24/03
#24re: Purlie
Posted: 2/23/05 at 4:05pm
Sparky, just wondering if you saw an off night at CAROLINE. She got raves from folks who didn't even like the show.
i had no idea Blair Underwood could sing. i was personally hoping for Wayne Brady, who in my opinion, needs a break-out role to become a major musical theatre star.
Always loved PURLIE, and this cast sounds great to me. Wasn't there recently rumor of a tour with Ms. Moore playing another role?
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