The Color Purple has come to town. Given its mixed reviews yet fantastic box office, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew that the show was based on the bestselling novel by Alice Walker and the award-winning movie version starring Oprah Winfrey, Whoopee Goldberg, Margaret Avery, and Danny Glover, directed by Steven Spielberg. I also knew Oprah was one of the major producers. Well, I am happy to announce that I loved and was moved by the stage version of The Color Purple.
The Color Purple is subtitled "The Musical About Love,” and that is a true summation of its themes. There is brotherly love, sisterly love, sexual love, abusive love, lesbian love, lust, prostitution, love betrayed, redemptive love, and love of God. Add the great gospel-influenced songs by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, and a book by the renowned playwright Marsha Norman, and you have the makings of a success. More importantly add the influence of Oprah, Quincy Jones, the brothers Weinstein, the Nederlanders, and the hunger of an audience, especially a black audience, for something that speaks to the need for healing and love in these troubled times, and the result is an unforgettable and inspiring musical.
That isn’t to say there isn’t plenty of humor, much of it in the Tony-nominated performance by Felicia Fields. There is great singing by Destiny Child’s Michelle Williams and “American Idol” favorite LaToya London. There is terrific singing and acting by Rufus Bonds Jr., as the abusive husband, and the handsome Stu James as his son. I liked the songs “Push Da Button”, “Somebody Gonna Love You”, and “I’m Here”, the latter sung by the remarkable Jeanette Bayardelle as Celie. Her performance is layered, powerful, and altogether enchanting. Her voice is a powerhouse of emotional and spiritual resonance reflecting her background in gospel, and her performance alone is worth the price of admission. Luckily you have the whole piece to enjoy and cheer. Recommended. At The Ahmanson Theatre until March 9.
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