Leslie Odom, Jr. sets Broadway return in revival of PURLIE VICTORIOUS, directed by Kenny Leon.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 2/1/23 at 9:36am

Opening Summer 2023

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 2/1/23 at 9:38am

Ooh! I may have to add this to my list! Great to see an amazing actor back on the Broadway stage!

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 8:13am

More Information.

Previews will begin on Thursday, September 7, 2023, with the opening date to be announced at a later date.  The production will play at The Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th St.).  

The complete cast includes: Vanessa Bell Calloway (Dreamgirls) as “Idella Landy”, Billy Eugene Jones(Fat Ham) as “Gitlow Judson”, Noah Pyzik (Addy & Uno) as “Deputy”, Noah  Robbins (To Kill a Mockingbird) as “Charlie Cotchipee”, Jay O. Sanders (Primary Trust) as “Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee”, Heather Alicia Simms (Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) as “Missy Judson”, Bill Timoney (Network) as  “Sheriff” and Tony Award nominee Kara Young (Cost of Living, Clyde’s) as “Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins”. 

Direction is by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon (Topdog/Underdog, A Soldier’s Play, A Raisin in the Sun). 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Tony-Award-WinnerLeslie-Odom-JrTo-Return-ToBroadway-InPURLIE-VICTORIOUSA-NON-CONFEDERATE-ROMP-THROUGH-THE-COTTON-PATCH-20230615

Updated On: 6/15/23 at 08:13 AM

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 8:15am

I love Leslie Odom, Jr., but Kenny Leon's direction has never done much for me.

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 9:26am

I think Kenny can get great performances out of actors but I’ve never felt like he has a great sense of “vision” for any of his productions. Very standard and safe. But for Kara Young and Billy Eugene Jones, I will be there!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 10:11am

Interesting that Odom is the single ticket-selling star in this. Will be a big test for him at the box office.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 12:28pm

Did I miss the announcement about when tickets went on sale? No one seems to know about this show and they aren't advertising it. I guess it's too early to do that? Hm. 

[BETTY22]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 12:31pm

I can’t wait. Although a thought of Music Box as a musical house. But with Leslie it will sell 

[jagman1062]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 12:32pm

Sutton Ross said: "Did I miss the announcement about when tickets went on sale? No one seems to know about this show and they aren't advertising it. I guess it's too early to do that? Hm."

They went on sale last night on Telecharge. I mentioned it in a different thread about the 2023-24 Broadway season. I only checked after I read in that thread that the show was going into the Music Box and starting previews on 9/7. The show wasn't officially announced until this morning.

[betyourass]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 1:03pm

Is this a non-profit theater production of it? That'd explain the casting?

[Jarethan]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 1:09pm

BETTY22 said: "I can’t wait. Although a thought of Music Box as a musical house. But with Leslie it will sell"

Over the past 60 years, it has mostly been a non-musical house.  As more and more musicals were produced and fewer straight plays (at least open-ended straight plays, a lot of traditionally straight play houses have been used by musicals.  Clearly, given its small size, it is a great theatre for non-musicals and smaller musicals.  I say smaller because its grosses are limited by its size unless it is a monster hit and can command premium charges for too damn many seats.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 1:13pm

Opening night is September 21.

[ManOfLaMuncha]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 1:48pm

I've never heard anyone sing "I've Got Love" except Melba Moore.  She sang the hell out of that song! I saw her in concert twice many years ago.  Once it was at an upstate theater and got very foggy.  People weren't showing up for the second show, so she invited us all to stay and sang for at least another hour!  Amazing voice, and very nice lady !

Going back and reading the article, this is the non musical version of the play.  I didn't know there were two.

Updated On: 6/15/23 at 01:48 PM

[Blue_Lotus]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 1:53pm

I believe this is a revival of the play and not the musical

Updated On: 6/15/23 at 01:53 PM

[ManOfLaMuncha]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 1:58pm

Blue_Lotus said: "I believe this is a revival of the playand not the musical"

Thanks, I just had an "Oh, I'd better click the article link in first message.  I didn't realize there were two and I came back to change my comment.  Thank you for posting.  What a cast in the original play!

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 2:01pm

betyourass said: "Is this a non-profit theater production of it? That'd explain the casting?"

No. Read the article. It’s a commercial production, which makes the casting all the more puzzling. I kind of doubt Leslie will sell much better than Audra in a straight play...but we’ll see.

[Blue_Lotus]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 3:10pm

ManOfLaMuncha said: "I've never heard anyone sing "I've Got Love" except Melba Moore. She sang the hell out of that song! I saw her in concert twice many years ago. Once it was at an upstate theater and got very foggy. People weren't showing up for the second show, so she invited us all to stay and sang for at least another hour! Amazing voice, and very nice lady !

Going back and reading the article, this is the non musical version of the play. I didn't know there were two."

You’re welcome. Anika Noni Rose played Lutiebelle in the City Centers Encore production of Purlie and sang “I Got Love” decently. I believe it’s on YouTube. 

Updated On: 6/15/23 at 03:10 PM

[ManOfLaMuncha]

Posted: 6/15/23 at 4:34pm

Blue_Lotus said: "ManOfLaMuncha said: "I've never heard anyone sing "I've Got Love" except Melba Moore. She sang the hell out of that song! I saw her in concert twice many years ago. Once it was at an upstate theater and got very foggy. People weren't showing up for the second show, so she invited us all to stay and sang for at least another hour! Amazing voice, and very nice lady !

Going back and reading the article, this is the non musical version of the play. I didn't know there were two."

You’re welcome. Anika Noni Rose played Lutiebelle in the City Centers Encore production of Purlie and sang “I Got Love” decently. I believe it’s on YouTube."

Wow thanks!  She really did that song justice :)

 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 4:37pm

Previews begin September 7, with opening night set for September 27

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 4:47pm

We know on here but everyone interested in seeing this: Please tell your friends and family that this is not the musical so people aren't surprised/bummed out when they sit for a play. Many people are confused as it won Tonys for a musical and it's performed much more often than the play it's based on. 

 

[Kad]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 5:07pm

I was getting the occasional targeted ad for this on social media and it was just what looked like a stock photo of a country church and with the production info. It was extremely vague and cheap looking and seemed to assume everybody knows the play.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 5:07pm

Very odd that Leslie has built a career as a singer...and is coming back to Broadway in a play?

 

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 5:09pm

Kad said: "I was getting the occasional targeted ad for this on social media and it was just what looked like a stock photo of a country church and with the production info. It was extremely vague and cheap looking and seemed to assume everybody knows the play."

Same. 

[perfectpenguin]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 5:18pm

Kad said: "I was getting the occasional targeted ad for this on social media and it was just what looked like a stock photo of a country church and with the production info. It was extremely vague and cheap looking and seemed to assume everybody knows the play."

I... do not know the play. Or that it was even a musical. I know almost nothing about it. Is this one I should do my research on before going in? I like going in each show not knowing much about it. 

[betyourass]

Posted: 7/11/23 at 5:33pm

Yeah this artwork is bad. I wish it was the musical.