*Official* The Color Purple: The Musical Review Thread

[Mamamia Sammy2]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 6:18pm

Ok, I know this is a bit early but this will be the thread to post links to reviews for the "The Color Purple: The Musical"

I suspect all raves!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 6:18pm

[apdarcey]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 6:20pm

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[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 6:21pm

Unless they do some serious revision during the workshop this summer, this show is going to be trashed. It's like one of those black gospel shows they bring into the Beacon Theatre. They should have called it:

SING CELIE SING, YOUR ARMS TOO SHORT TO BOX WITH THE COLOR PURPLE.

[jjdude2000]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 6:25pm

Ohhh. I get it. Took some time to register there...

[WillParker]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 6:29pm

michael bennett, THANK YOU!!!!! i've been saying this since october and no one agrees at all...i had a MISERABLE time when i saw this in atlanta. HATED the show, and i adore the book & the film...it's nice to know i'm not alone :)

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 6:42pm

wait? I thought it was opening like next year?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 6:42pm

wait? I thought it was opening like next year?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 7:08pm

Oh, I'm definitely with you Will, and the crime is all the more egregious when you take into account what potentially great source material this is. But this version isn't rooted in what most of us would call the fundamentals of musical theatre writing.

The book is thin. The songs, written by a committee of composers tends to shop the show cold (in the wrong kind of way)rarely if ever advancing the story. And the characterizations were out of Jim Crow's old vaudeville act. I would have been less offended had the cast been in black face.

The show may have been popular in Atlanta, but the powers that be who saw the show in NYC were quick to realize that the show needed major work, which is obviously why it didn't head straight to Broadway.

[musiclover]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 8:16pm

I just joined this site and am proud to say that I saw The Color Purple in its regional production in Atlanta. I know Marsha Norman, the show's librettist and have studied under her at Julliard. While I (as did an entirely sold out run of audiences at the Alliance Theatre) loved seeing this new musical in its early stage of development, everyone involved knew that it was a work in progress. VARIETY gave the show a very positive review, while pointing out areas for improvement. Audiences of all ages and races cheered night after night. I know the authors have been working diligently since last fall and the new work is stunning and theatrical. I have heard that even Quincy Jones (who composed the film score) has been so blown away by the music on this show that he asked to join the producing team. I don't think he has ever done that before on Broadway? Of course everyone will have to form their own opinion about this production when it comes to Broadway. But if I were a betting woman, I would say that The Color Purple will be one of the highlights of next season!

[NCGuy]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 11:18pm

How does the musical handle the Celie/Shug love story? Is it clear that they are lovers or do the writers "Spielberg" it?

[MusicMan]

Posted: 5/4/05 at 11:57pm

"If I were a betting woman..."

I'd put my money not on THE COLOR PURPLE but on ABYSSINIA at Goodspeed. I saw it more than a decade ago in workshop and have never forgotten it. I can't wait to see it again. It is simply one of the greatest musicals I have ever seen. Why it hasn't been produced on Broadway is a mystery.

[musiclover]

Posted: 5/5/05 at 8:31am

The Color Purple musical largely adheres to Alice Walker's original novel in its story lines. It is much closer to the book than the film.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 5/5/05 at 8:50am

Are there plans to bring it to Broadway? When?

[WillParker]

Posted: 5/5/05 at 10:23am

yes it was known that it was a work in progress, but it needs a LOT of work...i'd can a good 3/4 of the score (there were a few VERY lovely tunes, several were embarassingly bad & the rest were so bland, run-of-the-mill, obligitory gospel numbers that simply didnt register), start from scratch with the book (book? what book?), and replace AT LEAST one principal cast member who was ABYSMAL (no, not LaChanze, who was glorious).

on a different note, i loved the sets & costumes & lighting.

oh, and PLEASE get rid of that damn "greek chorus." if i see one more show with a black "girl group," i think i'm gonna go crazy....at least they kinda sorta worked in Little Shop, Hairspray & Caroline....they were ridiculously out of place here...was like watching Crystal, Ronnette & Chiffon from LSOH playing the "Pick-a-Little" ladies from The Music Man!! HATED IT!!!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 5/5/05 at 1:23pm

Am I crazy, or aren't Celie and Shug lovers in the Spielberg movie? I remember the kiss. Maybe it was PG-13ed.

[NCGuy]

Posted: 5/5/05 at 1:33pm

There was a kiss in the movie (Shug kisses Celie, Celie laughs shyly and covers her mouth), but I don't think there was any suggestion of a physical relationship beyond that (unlike the book).

[Mamamia Sammy2]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 6:22pm

FOR THE RECORD.... I started this thread on May 4th.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 10:40pm

well there are obviously different opinions on this show, VERY mixed, some think its Horrible others think its gorgeous, I for one just wish it the best of luck and hope it can stay on Broadway as long it should

[ShuQ]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 11:21pm

Sorry--hadn't seen the other thread Updated On: 12/1/05 at 11:21 PM

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 11:23pm

AP Review. It's mixed.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/THEATER_THE_COLOR_PURPLE?SITE=TXHAR&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/1/05 at 11:25pm

Check the other thread. That review has been up for a while.