Stripped-down revival of 'The Color Purple' retains powerful message

Posted July 25, 2018 11:45 am

By Scott C. Morgan

Celie (Adrianna Hicks), foreground, reacts to a cache of hidden letters from her long-lost sister, Nettie (N'Jameh Camara), in “The Color Purple.” The national tour of the Tony Award-winning 2015 Broadway revival continues at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University in Chicago. Courtesy of Matthew Murphy

“The Color Purple” - ★ ★ ★ ½

It's too bad that Broadway in Chicago couldn't have booked the national tour of “The Color Purple” into a smaller venue than the 3,875-seat Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Director and designer John Doyle's stripped-down production, first seen in 2013 at London's 180-seat Menier Chocolate Factory, is truly revelatory in taking a more symbolic and intimate approach to this 2005 Broadway musical.

But with just a simple set of wooden platforms and stacked antique chairs, Doyle's staging is often swallowed up by the cavernous Auditorium. And that's a shame since this tour, featuring some veterans of the Tony Award-winning 2015 Broadway transfer, is packed with powerful performers. The ensemble wows all around with stunning vocals, plus the cast dramatically emphasizes the emotional essentials of Alice Walker's original 1982 novel.

Mister (Gavin Gregory) gives aggressive advice to his eldest son, Harpo (J. Daughtry), in the Tony Award-winning 2015 Broadway revival of "The Color Purple." The national tour continues in Chicago at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Courtesy of Matthew Murphy

“The Color Purple” centers around Celie (Adrianna Hicks), a young woman whose faith in God is severely tested after enduring much sexual, physical and emotional abuse under the thumb of her Pa (J.D. Webster), and then her controlling husband, Mister (Gavin Gregory). Celie is also heartbroken by the forced separation from her beloved sister, Nettie (N'Jameh Camara).

The hardworking Celie, however, gains inspiration from other powerful women who enter into her life. The indomitable Sofia (Carrie Compere) stands up to spousal beatings from Mister's eldest son, Harpo (J. Daughtry), in the strong song “Hell, No!”

Nettie (N'Jameh Camara), left, looks on as the Church Ladies (Bianca Horn, Angela Birchett and Brit West) gossip about the scandals in her family in "The Color Purple." Courtesy of Matthew Murphy

Though a community pariah, bisexual blues singer Shug Avery (Chicago native Carla R. Stewart) opens Celie's eyes to the beauty of all God's creations via the show's title song. Shug also awakens Celie's oppressed sexuality in the duet “What About Love?” that closes out Act I.

Doyle and his ensemble ground the show by framing its opening and closing as a church service. The congregants greet the audience with the song “Mysterious Ways,” which foreshadows the many twists and turns of the story.

In this production, Marsha Norman's plot-jammed script adaptation doesn't feel as rushed as before. The catchy “Color Purple” score by pop/R&B song writers Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray also seems to emerge more naturally from the characters than in previous stagings.

Sisters Celie (Adrianna Hicks) and Nettie (N'Jameh Camara) play together before they are torn apart in "The Color Purple." Courtesy of Matthew Murphy

Doyle's production is aided by Jane Cox's fine lighting design with Ann Hould-Ward's faded period costumes. And the starkness of the proceedings puts the focus on the talented cast as spirited storytellers.

“The Color Purple” shines through with its powerful messages of endurance, love and forgiveness. The effectiveness of this tour is only tempered by the sheer scale of the theater now housing it.

Where: Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, Chicago, (800) 775-2000, broadwayinchicago.com

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday (also July 22), 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday (also July 25); through July 29

Running time: About two hours and 30 minutes with intermission

Tickets: $27-$100; $136 premium seating

Rating: For mature audiences: includes rough language, violence and sexuality

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