Purlie- Page 2

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/4/05 at 12:39pm

I'm a charter subscriber to Encortes and I have to say this one was very disappointing. Ossie Davis's play and the book for the musical are both extremely funny. This was not.

Blair Underwood is handsome and charming but totally lacking in the passion and cleverness of the character. And Annika Noni Jones is sweet and adorable but Melba Moore set off theatrical fireworks in that first act in the original production. Her "I Got Love" was astonishing--one of those performances that literally stops the show. I will never forget it.

This Encores presentation was forgettable.