The Color Purple question

[gertiecummings]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 2:24am

Can anyone tell me if the book and music for The Color Purple were written by African Americans? And was it directed by an African American? Thanks.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 3:10am

http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?id=398535 and google are your friends.

Gary Griffin (director) is white.
Marsha Norman (book) is white.
Brenda Russell (music/lyrics) is white.
Allee Willis and Stephen Bray (lyrics) are both African American.


Why does it matter?

[WordedGrace]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 4:23am

Sorry Chinkie...you're wrong.. Allee Willis is white and Brenda Russell is black. But, I have to agree why does it matter who wrote it?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 4:27am

coming from someone who didn't even ask the question, I can see why someone would be curious.

[HughE2030]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 1:02pm

Isn't this a message board for answers to questions. I don't know why people have to be sarcastic when answering questions, or why they need to put someone on the defense. Why mention go google it, I don't even think IBDB states what race they are, although I only looked at the first page, maybe she just wanted to start a dialog. I think it's interesting that white people were actively involved in this black storyline. I think its great they could relate so well, but am curious why a black director wasn't picked by the mostly black producers? And finally, I think its great that Audra McDonald's understudy is white, and that role is colorless.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 1:05pm

I think it is a valid and very respectful question. I think there is an interesting feature when stories about a certain demographic are written by someone outside of the demographic. It makes for interesting conversation and exploration.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 1:28pm

I stand corrected about Allee Willis and Brenda Russell. But the reason why I mentioned google and ibdb because you could easily type in the name of the director, composer, and lyricist (names received from ibdb) into google and find pictures of them if all the poster wanted was an answer (which is how I interpreted the question). Or even search for them on this website.

[gertiecummings]

Posted: 5/19/07 at 6:51pm

I'm writing a paper on African Americans in musical theatre, and one of the things I want to talk about are shows written for African Americans by whites.

[HughE2030]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 8:20am

Yesterday I read in the NY Times that a stylist is suing for racial discrimination. She alleges that during her employment she raised the issue with one of the bosses that, "while the talent employed onstage was a cast of African American actors ... the crew hired backstage was Caucasian with the exception of three persons of color." What's more, she claims that her direct supervisor -- a Caucasian -- addresssed her as "sister" and "girlfriend," which offended Hill, who is black.

Hill claims the production retaliated against her for the comment, harassing her, and ultimately firing her. Hill seeks unspecified damages.. Oprah was not individually named in the suit. (google news)

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 5/21/07 at 8:26am

"while the talent employed onstage was a cast of African American actors ... the crew hired backstage was Caucasian with the exception of three persons of color."

I wonder how many "persons of color" actually applied though to work as crew backstage. Although her other alligations may be valid, I don't see how the stylist can say the producers are being racist for not hiring enough African-Americans unless she knew how many people applied.

Updated On: 5/21/07 at 08:26 AM