THE COLOR PURPLE – A Theater Review by Hollywood Hernandez
The Color Purple comes to life as a musical that is foot stompin', soul stirring and tear jerking thanks to the music and lyrics of Brenda Russell, Ailee Willis and Stephen Bray. Based on the Alice Walker book, The National Touring Cast of The Color Purple stars Adrianna Hicks as Celie and Carla R. Stewart as Shug Avery. The two actors also starred in the original Broadway version of the Tony Award winning musical.
The Color Purple is a story of triumph over abuse and pain. The play is a story about the power of women and about redemption and forgiveness. There's something in the play for every emotion under the sun. It was in part a revival for the theater goers who packed the Music Hall at Fair Park and showered the cast with love.
The rest of the cast, Carrie Compere as Sophia, Gavin Gregory as Mister, N'Jameh Camara as Nettie, and my favorite, J. Daughtry as Hapro is also stellar and the story, written by Marsha Norman, does an excellent job of bringing out the emotions and in the development of the characters, especially of Miss. Celie.
When the play starts Celie is so timid and shy from the abuse by her father you can barely hear the words to the songs she sings but, by the end of the play, she is bringing down the house and belting out some of the biggest show stopping songs like "Miss Celie's Pants" and "I'm Here".
The Color Purple runs through February 4th at The Music Hall at Fair Park. It is a show that is not to be missed and come dressed for church because you'll feel like you are there. The Color Purple receives high marks on my "Popcorn Scale. " I rate it a JUMBO (with extra butter), my highest rating possible. Go see it!
