Munk's THE COLOR PURPLE review- Page 2

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 10:55am

Cookie: The production is designed on a large scale, so it definitely fits there, but some of the more intimate moments are lost.

[kissmycookie]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 10:58am

And that's what I fear. So much of the Color Purple to me is full of intimate moments. And that's just lost in a big theatre.

[Corine2]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 11:16am

I really enjoyed this production Munk.
I did think it could be tighter but it was only the second preview.
I found it very entertaining.

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 11:17am

Posted this late last night after I saw the show... thought i'd add it here b/c I agree with a lot of Munk's review.

I saw tonights (11/2) performance. I do think this show has the potential to be spectacular, however, as it is right now, a lot of work still needs to be done.

Main issues - the music. The score was strong, the lyrics were not. A lot of it felt very forced, making scenes awkward. It seemed the characters were suddenly thrust out of the moment by having to sing all of their feelings. A lot of what could have been dialogue was forced into song in an almost unnatural way. It ruined what could have been a nice, smooth flowing scene into a choppy mess.

Also, in relation to the score, most of it was forgettable. Yes, it was nice and was era appropriate, but it was not catchy or memorable. As I sit here typing this, I honestly can't recollect any part of any one song. When music has the power to carry over off the stage and into your minds and stick with you, it has truly suceeded. Maybe I'm the only one who felt this way, though.

I wish there was more focus on Celie and her character's struggles. Partially because LaChanze truly is remarkable and all her talent should be capitalized on (without taking focus off the story, of course), but also because Celie is such a central, foundational character that without it being well developed, so much is lost in the understanding of her journey and her will.

A smaller issues I had was the muffling of the sound and the dialogue. A lot seemed mumbled. The people around me at intermission agreed that they wished they could understand more of the dialogue and hear better. But those are just little things I'm sure will be fixed as previews continue.

There are a lot of elements the show has going for it. The ENTIRE cast was very strong, very talented. Not a weak link in the bunch. The choreography was indeed fantastic. I especially loved the African dancing, though the breast revealing costumes and the thongs took me a moment to take in (family show?). I expected to walk away really remembering LaChanze, but it was Felicia as Sophia that stole the show for me. Every moment she was on stage, she commanded your attention.

Right now, i'd say it is an amazing production which suffers from a poorly developed book and sloppily thrown together character expose. In trying to translate every element of the story onto the stage, something was a lost. A feeling, a rawness, something I can't quite put my finger one. But with some pulling tightening and focusing, it can go very far. I do definitely encourage all to see it, and I will be going back to see it after it's set to see how it has come along. Maybe it won't be 3 hours by then!

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 11:19am

oh, and in response to the choreography question... I thought it was wonderful. But the nipples, good lord, the nipples... that was just uncomfortable.

[actorgaedu]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 11:30am

Why so critical...I found it to be quite entertaining...I mean nobody can touch the masterpiece that Steven Speilberg created with the movie, and it is after all on stage where those close up moments are lost. I felt a great deal of emotion when I saw the stage production, different from when I watch the movie, but I was moved. I would love for this production to be successful because I feel like Broadway is drying up and the critical remarks on shows are killing them before they even have a chance. I guess I am in the minority on this one. I loved "The Color Purple."

[.LittleWing. 0224]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 11:36am

I guess the reason for the critiques are to point out where the show could improve to make it wonderful, something I don't think it is now. I don't doubt audiences will LOVE it, most will. But I also don't think that just because the story is great and it has a lot going for it that the production team should stop there with working on it. That's what previews are for, to allow it time in front of an audience to see what works and what doesn't and critiques, constructive and thoughtful, help in the process.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 11:36am

I found moments entertaining.

Why so critical? Why not? This show is going to get SLAMMED by critics as it stands right now...hopefully they'll use the next month wisely.

[actorgaedu]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 11:46am

That is the problem with Broadway today! Everything has to get SLAMMED. I hate having to hold my breath everytime a new show opens...no wonder Broadway is turing to corporate America for funding. They can afford the SLAMMED reviews.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 11:48am

Great reviews guys. It does indeed sound like the show is more or less the same as it was in Atlanta; I was hoping a lot of the major problems with the production would have been targeted and worked on since then but it just doesn't sound like the creative team has the experience to fix it. Maybe its time for a show doctor.

[midtowngym]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 11:55am

I enjoyed the artistry expended (costumes, sets, performances.) However, there's too much occurring around Celie. It's frustrating to watch scenes where she literally walks through her own show. Without LaChanze as the anchor, it'd be difficult to care.

Updated On: 11/3/05 at 11:55 AM

[theatreguy]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 12:09pm

I agree, midtown. I kept waiting for Celie to have some song or moment or SOMETHING in the first act where she could express how she feels about being raped by her father married off to Mister. The song she sings to her baby at the beginning seemed like it would do that, but it ended so quickly.

[andyf]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 2:01pm

I kept waiting for Celie to have a great song.

In either act.


Looking over the list of musical numbers I was really excited for the reprise of "What About Love" into "I'm Here."

Just because of the placement of those two songs, it looked like it really could have been an AMAZING number, the reprise of "What About Love" building up the moment into "I'm Here," but sadly the moment when Celie randomly sang "I'm heeeEEEEEEERE!!!" to Mister in the middle of act two, was a LOT better - and completely more satisfying - than the song of the same name.

[paradox_error]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 2:55pm

What the hell is with TheEnchantedHunter and the fact that he/she "posts" as at least 5 different people, from all parts of the world. I've asked this question many times, but never had an answer.

Sometimes she's Dutch, sometimes he's from New England...

I just don't get it.

Lovely review munk, and hope everything is going well with you.

I was hoping for this to be a big hit, but it doesn't look like it is going to be...

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 3:23pm

Munk, terrific review as always. I am looking forward to seeing this production. It's good to hear that Renee Goldsberry and Elisabeth Withers-Mendes, two of the most talented people I have ever encountered, are receiving glowing notices on the board!

Too bad Renee will be leaving right after the show opens...

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 4:12pm

Munk, if you could give it a star rating or a letter grade (as of now) what would it be?

[supafreak]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 4:18pm

yeah, same gawd-awful show that was in atlanta. FLOP. please, someone tell me--is the RIDICULOUSLY bad "In Miss Celie's Pants" tap number still in the show? is sophia's terrible "Hell No" song still there? was it the song that was terrible or was it just the actress? both, i think. how bout that embarassing duet for harpo & sophia, "what can i do for you" or something? and please lord tell me they cut/replaced "Push Da Button"!!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 4:36pm

All the songs you mentioned are still in the show.

In terms of stars, at this point in previews, I give it 1.5 out of 4.

[supafreak]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 4:41pm

wow. i could deal with all the crap that's in the show now if only "In Miss Celie's Pants" was gone. Poor LaChanze--nice little dramatic scene, then Mister walks off and she yells "Look who's wearin the pants now!" and and tap number ensues. i was aghast. literally. soooooo bad.

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 11/3/05 at 5:37pm

Responses to a couple of things:

Why so critical? - Because I sat through it and didn't really get anything out of it, so I thought I would explore and figure out why. Theater has the potential to be amazingly powerful, and it seems like this story does too, and this show was definitely not powerful. I like plenty of shows...I didn't like this one.

the pantomiming of the beating- From what I hear this was an amazing moment in the film (which I have not seen) and was not entirely effective on stage. However, I do feel the need to point out that it was pantomimed with one of the Africans because at the same time they were struggling in their native land with the white folk, Sophia was in the U.S. It was trying to create a parallel (which, although the scene wasn't nearly as emotional as it could have been, I appreciated because it, as part of the Africa scene, was pretty much the only scene that challenged the viewer the way theatrical story telling should)

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 11/5/05 at 1:14pm

well, i havent seen the show, but i read the book last weekend, and it didnt really seem like musical material to me...i dunno
my biggest question was, in the show, are celie and shug like INTIMATELY in love, like a little more than friend love, because in the book it seemed they were, but maybe it was just me...
those reviews sounded pretty typical to me, but-
is LITTLE WOMEN or THE COLOR PURPLE better?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/5/05 at 1:15pm

I thought LITTLE WOMEN was better.

Yes, Shug and Celie are in love. Although it's an aspect of the musical, it's very messy and unclear.

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 11/5/05 at 1:29pm

well, my interest of seeing this has gone down- im not against this show, but i only go to nyc a few times a year, and wanna see the "best and well worth the money" shows...
hey, whats gonna play at the hilton when chitty closes?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/5/05 at 1:30pm

Wait around and see what people say about the show in a month after opening before you make your decision.

The Hilton's next tennant hasn't been announced yet.

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 11/5/05 at 1:50pm

A few of you have vaguely mentioned "Family show" for this show... Excatly how is that supposed to be?