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Storyline: Celie, a fourteen year old poor black girl in rural Georgia in
the early years of the twentieth century, considered ugly and already pregnant
twice, is married off to an abusive man who terrorizes all who
come near him. He demands a submission amounting to servitude, sends her
sister away and prohibits any contact. As the years pass, however, her
inner strength helps her persevere and overcome all obstacles. She develops
a sense of self worth, breaks free of her abusive "Mister," achieves success
and is reunited with her sister and her children.
The story is one that many
people already know from the novel, or the movie by Stephen Spielberg. Here it is told so
clearly with characters so sharply defined that it catches your emotional
commitment anyway. Most of the audience knows exactly what is coming at key
points - especially the later half of the second act - but there are plenty
of handkerchiefs dabbing at teary eyes and cheeks as Celie achieves her
dreams. The score progresses through the decades of the story, reflecting
the changing musical styles from early in the century, the roaring
twenties, the depression wracked thirties and into the post-war forties.
At the center of the piece
is the marvelous performance of Bayardelle, who plays Celie from an early
age to nearly 60 with no noticeable assistance from makeup, just wig changes
to help her grey.
The show calls for a number
of very strong performances from the supporting cast including that of Felicia P. Fields as a woman who won't let her husband beat her.
Her "Hell No" is the highlight of the first act. Angela Robinson, who was
the understudy for the glamorous flapper when the show opened and then went on to take
the role full time later in the run, repeats her work as the love interest
whose affection is the key to Celie's emergent sense of self worth. Rufus Bonds, Jr. takes on the
role of the despicable "Mister" and delivers it with energy but somehow
misses the depth of depravity that should make his descent into failure and
his ultimate reform more touching. Two of the three ladies who originated the
trio of chirping biddies that help move the story along are still twittering
with syncopated humor. Kimberly Ann Harris and Virginia Ann Woodruff have
been joined by delightful Lynette Dupree.
Broadway veteran designers
create a satisfying on-stage atmosphere. John Lee Beatty's sets and Paul
Tazewell's costumes are again well served by Brian MacDevitt's lighting. A full sounding orchestra
delivers the
orchestrations of the legendary Jonathan Tunick utilizing two
keyboards. Keyboards haven't been the strength of Tunick's work in the past,
but this time out there is a very good blend of electronically augmented
sound and the acoustic instruments. The entire package is first rate.
Music and lyrics by Brenda
Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Book by Marsha Norman. Directed by
Gary Griffin. Choreographed by Donald Byrd. Musical direction by Sheilah
Walker. Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick. Dance music arrangements by Daryl
Waters with additional arrangements by Joseph Joubert and incidental music
arrangements by Kevin Stites. Design: John Lee Beatty (set) Paul Tazewell
(costumes) Charles G. LaPointe (hair) Brian MacDevitt (lights) Jon Weston
(sound). Principal cast: Jeannette Bayardelle, Bridgette Bentley, Rufus
Bonds, Jr., Alex de Castro, LaTrisa Coleman, Tiffany Daniels, Quentin Earl
Darrington, Lesley Terrell Donald, Lynette DuPree, Felicia P. Fields, Rhett
George, Kimberly Ann Harris, LaTonya Holmes, Trent Armand Kendall, Grasan
Kingsberry, Keith Byron Kirk, Angela Robinson, Stephanie St. James, Adam
Wade, Diamond White, Anthony Williams II, Virginia Ann Woodruff, |
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September 30 October 12, 2008
Legally Blonde
The national tour of the Broadway musical tells the story of a Malibu blond
who enters Harvard Law chasing her boyfriend only to succeed beyond anyone's
expectation.
November 11 23, 2008
How the
Grinch Stole Christmas!
For the past two Christmas holidays, this musical featuring a score by Mel
Marvin and Timothy Mason has played in a Broadway theater. Now, they take
the show on the road.
December 2 14, 2008
A Chorus Line
Michael Bennett's ultimate tribute to the Broadway musical, an intimate look
at the competitors for a spot in the final audition for a new musical,
opened in 1975 and ran until 1990, closing as the longest running musical in
Broadway history.
January 6 18, 2009
Chitty Chitty
Bang Bang
The stage version of the movie had a big production on Broadway in 2005
which ran for nine months.
February 3 15, 2009
Grease
The new revival of the rock-n-roll musical of the 1950s, complete with black
leather jackets, hot rods and sock hops, features songs such as "Summer
Nights," "Beauty School Dropout" and "Greased Lightnin."
April 14 26, 2009
A Bronx Tale
Chazz Palminteri performed his one act solo show off-Broadway in the 1990s,
detailing his memories of a childhood spent in the Bronx with two types of
family his biological relatives and the members of the mob. Last year he
revived it on Broadway. Now he takes it on tour.
June 9 21, 2009
Spring
Awakening
The national tour of the 2007 Best Musical Tony Award winner features the
rock score by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater for a coming of age story of
teenagers in 1891 Germany. |
