Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse

[KindnessofStrangers]

Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#0

Posted: 7/6/05 at 2:00am

Man, this has what must be the looooongest first act in musical theatre history. It was nearly 90 minutes. The show has a few catchy numbers, namely "I Got Love" and "Down Home" but I have to label the show as disappointing on the whole. Loretta Devine remains a force of nature and the audience whooped and hollered at her every line and gave her the loudest applause. Harrison White was also a crowd pleaser, but he has the showiest role. If this does indeed make it to Broadway I predict Jacques C Smith will be replaced as the lead. He was capable enough, but the part cries out for someone with more charisma.

[aegeusrocks]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#1

Posted: 7/6/05 at 2:14am

I wonder how different the show will be when I see it in the 05-06 season at the Goodman. Hopefully it will improve, if what you say is true.

[eslgr8]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#2

Posted: 7/6/05 at 2:14am

90 minutes is not long for a musical. I've seen many shows with first acts running about that length. Anyway, I liked Purlie a good deal more than you did, as did Broadwaybaby2.
Check the previous thread:
https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=857323#1204364

[KindnessofStrangers]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#3

Posted: 7/6/05 at 2:28am

Wow, you guys really liked it, huh? My date and the people we spoke to at intermission and even some guys in the line for the men's room all commented on how excessively long the first act seemed. I found myself zoning out when Smith was the focus. He's attractive and sings and dances well enough but there's that essential spark missing. I didn't believe he could lead a congregation, let alone mastermind the plan to decieve the colonel. Paulette Ivory was in fine form, but it's near impossible to pay attention to anyone else when Loretta was onstage. Incidentally, Linda Hopkins who appeared in the original production was in the house tonight. She seemed to be enjoying herself.

[eslgr8]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#4

Posted: 7/6/05 at 2:57am

I kind of agree with you about Smith. There was a certain star quality/charisma lacking, though he gave an excellent performance. Paulette Ivory and Loretta Devine couldn't have been better though. After suffering through the OBC recording (tinny sound and the songs themselves aren't that great), the live performances with the excellent 6 piece orchestra were so much better than what I'd heard that I'm sure that influenced my liking of the current production. And honestly speaking, I wasn't a bit bored during Act 1. I have my subscriber's ticket at the end of the month. Curious how I'll feel the 2nd time. All in all, I still give this production a solid 3 stars out of four.
Updated On: 7/6/05 at 02:57 AM

[TennesseeTwang]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#5

Posted: 7/6/05 at 8:30am

So, does anyone who's seen the play feel that a lot of work needs to be done on the libretto?

[uncageg]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#6

Posted: 7/8/05 at 1:02pm

I am looking forward to seeing it. I saw it twice in the 70's when it toured. What gets me is why reviewers say it should be updated. Why? I think it would lose something if it were. Just my opinion.

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

[melissa errico fan]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#7

Posted: 7/8/05 at 1:18pm

If Purlie does indeed make it to Broadway, Norm Lewis should play the title role.

[TennesseeTwang]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#8

Posted: 7/8/05 at 1:57pm

Some reviews of the Pasadena poduction:

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/la/la185.html

http://www.calendarlive.com/stage/cl-et-purlie8jul08,0,2910977.story?coll=cl-calendar

http://u.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,211~23542~2954899,00.html

[Unknown User]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#9

Posted: 7/8/05 at 2:25pm

I saw it and enjoyed it...I totally agree that Smith lacked that "oomph" that was sorely needed in Purlie Victorious. And he got run over by the Devoon Miss Devine. The script does have some problems that need revisiting.

All in all a quality production and yet another fine night at the Pasadena Playhouse....I was telling a friend the other night how many wonderful shows I have seen there: Do I Hear A Waltz?, A Class Act, Bigger Than Bubblegum (The musical about "The Emotions"), Mr. Ricky Calls A Meeting, Looking Over The President’s Shoulder, The Good Doctor, As Bees In Honey Drown.

They do good work.

[eslgr8]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#10

Posted: 7/8/05 at 2:53pm

Very solidly positive reviews, and deserved! I look forward to seeing it again!

[MusicalDirector109]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#11

Posted: 7/8/05 at 3:02pm

This was the very first Broadway musical that I ever saw. I do hope it makes it to Broadway.

[KindnessofStrangers]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#12

Posted: 7/8/05 at 3:12pm

The TalkinBroadway review wasn't so positive. I've heard from a lot of friends who've seen the show this week and the common complaint is that the show needs two better lead actors to overcome the wobbly material. Loretta Devine can't carry the show in a supporting role. I still think it's worth seeing for her alone.

[Unknown User]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#13

Posted: 7/8/05 at 5:28pm

I really hope this show does well. It has some dumb parts, but I love most of the music, and had the RARE pleasure of being in this show at my performing arts high school in FL. How was the opening "Walk Him Up"- that song is so much fun. Paulette Ivory is fantastic I saw her on the Aida tour twice and thought she was fantastic, espically during "The Gods Love Nubia",i was not completley dry eyed for the rest of the show. Cant wait to see Purlie!

[TennesseeTwang]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#14

Posted: 7/8/05 at 6:24pm

I too fell in love with Paulette Ivory after seeing her in the touring production of Aida. She's a very fine actress and is an exceptional singer.

If Paulette's not hanging with Loretta's power in Purlie, I supsect that she's holding back. She can do nuanced, or she can bring down the house.

[uncageg]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#15

Posted: 7/8/05 at 8:32pm

It was also the 1st show I saw and it made me fall in love with the theatre. It will be a bit nostalgic also if I see it again.

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

[whiskedaway]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#16

Posted: 7/28/05 at 2:40am

Wow, you guys really thought Jacques C. Smith didn't have enough charisma and "oomph" to play the part? I thought he was fantastic. I just saw the show tonight, and I definitely felt he had plenty of charm and talent. I've never seen the show before, so maybe other people have seen better actors play the role, but I was very impressed. Same thing for Paulette Ivory, she was great. The show as a whole was alright, i'm not a huge fan of gospel music, and the whole story's a little "happy" for my taste, but I still had a good time, and am glad I went to see it.

[mallardo]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#17

Posted: 7/28/05 at 10:35am

I LOVED Paulette Ivory as Luttiebelle. To me she was the star of the show. Loretta Devine was doing a "voice" that was way up high and funny and nearly unintelligible some of the time. I was rather disappointed in her. Mention should also be made of Faye Butler - a wonderfully droll Idella who stole every scene she was in.

Faced with these Loreleis, what man can moralize!

[lildogs]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#18

Posted: 7/28/05 at 10:40am

A producer friend of mine went to see this show not too long ago. I assume to see if he was interested in putting some $$ in, but I'm not sure what's up...he's not a huge name, but he's got some dough for sure. So I'd imagine Bway transfer talk is pretty accurate...at least people are thinking of sending it here

[eslgr8]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#19

Posted: 7/28/05 at 11:24am

I saw it again last night and loved it even more than the first time. Paulette Ivory especially is sensational in a star-making kind of role, and Loretta Devine got every laugh imaginable as well as singing up a storm. Jacques Smith was a fine Purlie, well supported by the entire cast. I was especially impressed by the first rate ensemble (not always strong in regional theater) as well as the choreography and set design. The first act is long, but no longer than Wicked's, and in this case my guess would be because it represents the first two acts of a three act straight play. The script is not so much dated as simply having become a period piece, a kind of history lesson as it were. The songs, while mostly not memorable, sound 100% better performed live by the stellar cast and especially strong pit musicians. My only complaint/comment was that Purlie's powerful Act 2 "preachifying" is spoken and not sung. The writers apparently just took it word for word from the original play, rather than transform it into a musical moment. Perhaps they just weren't up to it.

[Michael Bennett]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#20

Posted: 7/28/05 at 11:33am

I saw this a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it. You have to love a show so incredibly un PC. I can't really imagine it going to Broadway (there isn't an audience for it, and many might find the satire offensive), but if they really do want to make a go of it, here are my suggestions:

1. Fire the Choreographer. The dances were energetic and colorful and had absolutely nothing to do with the moments in the show they are meant to dramatize. I had to check my program to make sure Debbie Allen wasn't responsible.

2. Replace Jaques C. Smith. No he's not charismatic enough.

3 The show is too long. Some of the songs could lose multiple verses and still be 10 minutes in length.

I agree, sets and costumes looked great. Paulette Ivory is a delight (though she can't sing it like Melba Moore, lets be honest). This was a fun show, but more a museum piece curiosity then something that deserves to be back on Broadway.


Updated On: 7/28/05 at 11:33 AM

[BobbyBubby]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#21

Posted: 7/28/05 at 11:34am

It's hard to top or even match Melba Moore.

[whiskedaway]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#22

Posted: 7/28/05 at 12:44pm

yeah, i forgot to mention the dancing. it was good, but some of it seemed out of place or something. kinda ballet/modern dance inspired or something.

[BroadwayBaby6]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#23

Posted: 7/28/05 at 1:58pm

This show isn't going to Broadway..This is a ploy to sell tickets in Pasadena and Chicago for teh show.

"It does what a musical is supposed to do; it takes you to another world. And it gives you a little tune to carry in your head. Something to take you away from the dreary horrors of the real world. A little something for when you're feeling blue. You know?"

[Michael Bennett]

re: Purlie at Pasadena Playhouse#24

Posted: 7/28/05 at 2:01pm

Speaking of which, there were a lot of empty seats in the theatre the night I saw it.