The Color Purple----a Newbie's review

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 9:42pm

Well, I've been lurking on this board for over 2 years and have just recently become a member. I think that it's appropriate that my first review is of a show that has been talked about quite a lot. I saw the Sat. evening show (11-12)and have just returned home, so that is why this is late.

First of all, my "credentials." I've been in love with the theater since my family and I saw Lorna Luft in Promises, Promises when I was a young lad (my first Broadway show). Since then, I've had the pleasure of seeing Stephanie Mills in The Wiz, Yul Brynner in the 70's revival of The King and I, Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera in the original Chicago, Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria, Idina in Wicked, Tonya Pinkins in Caroline or Change, among many others.

I was very excited to see this show, although some of the criticisms on this and other boards had me a little worried. Well, let me first say that I was more than pleased that I got to see this. It is an absolutely beautiful production. The cast is first rate, with amazing voices that shook the rafters. LaChanze is an incredible talent and a STAR. Her acting and singing were impeccable. Felicia P. Fields was delightful as Sofia, Kingsley Leggs was powerful as Mister, and Elisabeth Withers-Mendes was sultry/sexy as Shug. Everyone in the cast deserves a special mention, but I don't want this to go on too long.

This show grabs you from the first scene and doesn't let go. It's the first time that I can remember ever being near tears at the end of the FIRST ACT. It is that emotional. Obviously, the finale is even more moving. It is such a cathartic experience. I just can't believe that it's only in its second week of previews, as I see very little that needs to be tinkered with.

I wanted to bring up a couple of criticisms of the show that I have seen on this board. I think that those of you that had concerns will be pleasantly surprised that the creators are paying attention and making adjustments. First of all, I had read here that the scene when Mister kicks out Nettie had been played in the background, with other things going on and taking away from the emotion of that moment. Well, now this key moment happens "front and center," with nothing else happening on the stage, and it is very powerful and heartbreaking. You know that nothing could have been worse for Celie and Nettie.

Also, the opening scene of Act II (in Africa) did not seem too long to me at all. I thought it perfectly explained what Celie's fantasies of Nettie's life in Africa must be like, as well as providing a glimpse of Nettie's point of view. Also, it injected much needed pageantry and color into a show that is sometimes a little dark (scenery-wise, I mean). The dancing was great in this scene.

Most important of all is that Celie now has an "11 o'clock number." It is "I'm Here," and it totally brought the house down. I still get chills thinking about LaChanze's performance of this. I can't wait for the OCR so that I can experience this song again and again.

I didn't think that this show, at just over 2 hours 40 minutes, was too long at all. Let's face it, it's an epic story spanning several decades (the transitions between decades was done quite well, IMO). If Les Miz deserves over 3 hours, The Color Purple deserves over 2.5.

To summarize, this show has something for everyone. Great singing, dancing, acting, and a story that is timeless. It has great comedic moments (loved the church ladies) and great dramatic moments. There is no question that this will be a huge hit, no matter what the critics say. The theater was packed on Saturday and everyone was completely involved with the story. All were on their feet at the end. There is nothing like this show currently on Broadway and it is long overdue. I highly recommend The Color Purple.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 9:49pm

Great review! And welcome!

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 9:53pm

Nice job.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 9:56pm

Is IM HERE a brand new song?

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 9:57pm

Great review! And Welcome!

Have you read Aigoo's ingenious FAQ? Here's a link...

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?thread=858987&dt=071305101555

PM me anytime you want to chat!

[xoxRogue]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 10:02pm

I'm glad to hear good things about it! I'm seeing it in Feburary (I have the exact date, I just don't remember) and from what I've seen/hear from broadway.com and another site, it seems good.

I just hade a question, if you read the book, how does it compare with the style of it? Since it's purely in letter form, did they attempt to bring that to the stage? Or did they just retell it as normal?

I'm glad to hear the line: "I thought it perfectly explained what Celie's fantasies of Nettie's life in Africa must be like, as well as providing a glimpse of Nettie's point of view."

Nettie's letters in the novel were long...and quite desciptive (though it did show the differences in Nettie and Celie), and I'm happy that it showed how each felt about it.

And I wonder...are the, well, sexual scenes and vulgar language kept in it. I mean, not like that scene was on stage, but in the novel I believed they showed alot about Celie's character. Are those parts about her character still shown?

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 10:41pm

xoxRogue,
I am sorry to say that I have not read the novel, but have seen the movie several times. It is not really in "letter form," but is definitely told from Celie's point of view. Letters are often mentioned in the show, and do push the narrative (such as when Celie finally finds Nettie's letters and reads from them). The title song is sung as if it's from Celie's letters (starts with "Dear God"). Also, the curtain is a passage from one of Celie's letters.

There is no sex at all, and very little cursing (what cursing there is, is necessary and very well-placed). The love affair between Celie and Shug is much more obvious in this production than it was in the movie. It is played very naturally, and not surprising at all, as Celie NEEDED anyone to love her at that point. I hope that answers your question, but would be happy to answer any others you have.

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 11/15/05 at 11:24pm

I don't know if I'm Here is a brand new song, but it works perfectly. I had heard that Celie did not have a "big finish" (besides The Color Purple Reprise) in earlier versions of the show, so I assume that it was just added. It is a glorious, uplifting, life-affirming song that LaChanze totally wraps her pipes around. This song comes just before the finale.
Updated On: 11/15/05 at 11:24 PM

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 11:25am

luvcaroline - I enjoyed your review. I'm looking for tickets and the only ones I can find are rear Mez.. The theatre looks really big so will I be able to enjoy it from up there?

[WholeLottaShakin]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 11:44am

I saw the show from the last row in the mezz and still very much enjoyed it. Granted, I also had binoculars. :)

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 1:38pm

wickedfan,
I had seats in the 2nd row center rear mezzanine and thought that they were great. The front of the mezz seems fairly close to the stage. I think that just about any seat would be OK.

I wanted to add....I just saw the Oprah appearance of the cast last night. Oprah's audience was completely into the performances, which was the same way the audience was in the Broadway Theater, especially during "Hell No." This is the kind of show that the audience can feel a part of, because of the identification with the characters and their conflicts. If you enjoyed the Oprah performances, you will love this show. However, I must say that the finale (the title song) is much more impressive "in person" than it was on TV.

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 3:44pm

I just got my tickets... Row R orchestra Seat 2 & 4. first two seats on the isle. Yeah...

although I had to push all the way to Dec 21 Wed to get good seats instead of going this week

[AuditioningWaitress]

Posted: 11/16/05 at 3:51pm

Thanks for the great review and welcome to the board...I'm so looking forward to seeing this!

[wickedfan2]

Posted: 11/17/05 at 11:38am

I hadn't seen the Oprah show with the cast until yesterday (on oprah's site) I am really excited about seeing this show now if I felt like crying just by seeing those clips... I might have to bring tissues on Dec 21