The Color Purple at Paper Mill Playhouse; Photo by Jerry Dalia; Carla R. Stewart (Shug Avery) and The Company of The Color Purple
The Color Purple – A Review
Seeing The Color Purple at the Paper Mill Playhouse reminds us of how impactful musical theater can be. Directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, The Color Purple received Tony Awards on Broadway. It is based on the novel written by Alice Walker and the motion picture of the same name. For this musical production, the book is by Marsha Norman with music by Brenda Russell, Alliee Willis, and Stephen Bray.
If the story line in the film moved you, just wait until you go to see this at the Paper Mill. The music alone is worth the price of admission. Add to that a marvelous cast with superb staging, and you have one unforgettable show.
The Color Purple marks the first show of the 2018 – 2019 season at the Paper Mill Playhouse and also their 80th season. In this time period when women are becoming more vocal about their situations in life, this show is a perfect fit. It depicts women who have rough beginnings and how they can succeed and rise up above life issues that are not pleasant. The main character, Celie, is a poor young girl who has no self-confidence. She is molested by her father and gives birth to twin babies. She is not permitted to keep them. The only positive relationship in her life is her sister, Nettie, who leaves shortly after Celie is made to marry a very cruel man. He berates her and forces her into a life of servitude for him on his farm.
It is only when Shug Avery comes to visit that Celie begins to have someone take an interest in her and show her love. This and learning the whereabouts of her sister and children give Celie the strength to take control of her life. It leads to a very satisfying ending and some startling revelations of change in the nasty Mister also called Albert.
You might feel the violence that was such a part of Celie’s life more in this show than from the movie version. This is probably because it is a live production and the action is taking place right in the same place where you are at. The tragic moments are difficult to digest but the joyful moments are readily there to lift up the mood of the show.
The Music
Using a very minimalist set, some of the most stirring moments in the show occur through song. There are songs that have a gospel flavor to them, some are jazzy and others are forms of ballads and the blues that lend themselves well to story telling. The orchestra is in grand form as it vibrantly plays songs sure to make an impression. Some of these include:
“Hell No!” sung by Carrie Compere as Sofia. Ms. Compere gets the audience with her from the start. As her character evolves, sympathy and joy are felt as we see her triumph. Jay Donnell plays Harpo, her husband. He adds a very much needed aspect of the male in Sofia’s life when he respects, comforts, and admires Sofia for what she truly is.
Photo by Matthew Murphy; Adrianna Hicks (Celie) and The Company of The Color Purple
A totally fun moment is when Celie and the Women of the Company sing “Miss Celie’s Pants.” Adrianna Hicks takes her character, Celie, through a range of stages of her life. Her gorgeous singing voice brings out feelings in her songs that depict so well what Celie is going through. As you hear “Miss Celie’s Pants” you are applauding a woman who has survived and now is starting to prosper. Her final solo, “I’m Here” is an anthem that is very moving. In fact, I noticed I wasn’t the only one who needed tissues for that song.
For something a bit more suggestive, Shug and Company sing “Push da Button.” Carla R. Stewart plays Shug Avery warmly and with a maturity that allows the later turns in the plot to make a lot of sense.
Photo by Jerry Dalia; Gavin Gregory (Mister)
On the male side, Gavin Gregory as Mister brings the house down when he sings “Celie’s Curse.” Mr. Gregory plays the part as it needs to be done; nasty, mean, but in the end contrite.
The exchanges from the letters between Celie and sister Nettie are well done in “African Homeland.” N’Jameh Camara plays the role of Nettie and upon her return, she softly interacts with her sister. Make sure you keep your tissues out for that part too.
Additional cast members who do a first rate job as ensemble members include Darnell Abraham, Amar Atkins, Kyle E. Baird, Angela Birchett, Erica Durham, Bianca Horn, Jamal James, Mekhai Lee, Gabrielle Reid, C.E. Smith, Will T. Travis, Nyla Watson, J.D. Webster, Brit West and Nikisha Williams.
The Color Purple only plays through Sunday, October 21 at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Definitely include this on your list of “must sees.”
Additional Information about The Color Purple
Running Time: Approx. 2 hr. 15 minutes with one intermission
Location: Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ
Performances: Now through Oct. 21, 2018. The show runs eight times a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Performance schedule: Wednesday at 7:30pm, Thursday at 1:30pm and 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 1:30pm and 8:00pm and Sunday at 1:30pm and 7:00pm.
For More Information and to Buy Tickets: Call 973.376.4343, at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office at 22 Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.PaperMill.org.
Accessibility Performances: Audio-described performances are Saturday, October 20, 2018, at 1:30pm and Sunday, October 21, 2018, at 1:30pm. Prior to these performances at noon, the theater will offer free sensory seminars.
There will be a sign-interpreted and open-captioned performance on Sunday, October 21, 2018, at 7:00pm.
Free Audience Enrichment Activities:
- The Conversation Club: Thursday evenings, September 27, October 4, October 11 and October 18 one hour before curtain.
- The Director’s Viewpoint: One hour before curtain at 6:30pm on Wednesday, September 26, there is a pre-show discussion in the Renee Foosaner Art Gallery.
- Q&A with the Cast: After the matinee on Saturday, October 20.