Originally Posted By gardenrooms Got to see this last week in SF and highly recommend it. (It was funny - right after the Overature started, last week's 5.6 earthquake hit, and we were rocking and rolling in the balcony - at first I thought everyone was tapping rather hard to the music, but then noticed the chandelier swinging and knew - the audience started to buzz, the conductor was looking over her shoulder from one side to the other, but they didn't skip a beat and the show went on!) Of course it's a great story. The sets were colorful, the dancing lively, we had a great cast including Broadway's Tony nominated Sophie and 2 of Broadway's original church ladies, and our Celie was fabulous both as a singer and as an actress. Also, I'd love to hear Mister in Les Mis - he had a great voice, though you don't really get to hear it until the end, and you hate him for most of the show. The music is not particularly memorable but it moves the story along nicely and suits the mood of the part of the story it is telling, and some of it is quite original for a musical. However, "I'm Here" as sung by our Celie is worth the price of admission alone. She can hold a note with the best of them (we got a copy of the original cast album for being season ticket holders and her version is far better than Broadway's). Great show, great evening.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I'm going to see this in SF in a couple weeks. Can't wait!!! Thanks for your review.
Originally Posted By gardenrooms Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I meant Sofia, of course, not Sophie. Don't know where that came from! DH also thought it was great (he has been known to doze in some shows, but not this one)!
Originally Posted By xrayvision I look forward to seeing Color Purple it before it closes on December 9th. I've been told to bring tissues as it's a real tear jerker.
Originally Posted By kennect I remember seeing the film when it was in preview status...I was blown away by it...Then we had the pleasure of this incarnation's world premiere here in Atlanta and I couldn't bring myself to buy tickets...In a way I thought I suffered enough by seeing the film...The story is so moving and if the stage presentation truly represents the book and the film I don't know that I could sit through it...We just got word that the touring production will be here for two weeks next summer....Do I dare? This definately is one story that moved me in way that I can't explain...After seeing the film I walked out of the theater speechless....
Originally Posted By xrayvision I just back from seeing Color Purple in San Fran. It was more happy, positive, comedic and uplifting than the movie/book. Even the sets and costumes were very colorful...probably one the best sets for a new touring production that I've seen in a while. The "Mister" role is still presented presented as evil, but he's less vile than the "Mister" character was played by Danny Glover in the movie. The domestic violence, rape and abuse were toned down quite bit...but enough implied abuse was retained in the storyline to ensure that Miss Celie's rise from pain was a triuphant journey that had the entire crowd cheering at the end of the play. The entire cast was very talented with strong singing, dancing, acting and great comedic timing. The rubust lady who plays "Sofie" (Ophrah Winfrey's movie role) was quite a pistol that gave a FABULOUS performance. Her favorite line was telling people " AHH HELL NO!," which is printed on t-shirts available in the Color Purple merchandise kiosks. Celie, Harpo and the town's people also gave memorable performances. The songs themselves were not memorable, but they sounded great and were performed with a lot of sassy high-energy, helping to move the story along while setting the mood. I was also impressed that the show's symphony conductor was an female African American. I have performed in and seen several symphonies and hae seldom see a female conductor, let alone a Black female conductor. I thought that was cool, given the subject matter of the play. Two other side notes, Michelle from the musical group, Destiny's Child featuring Beyonce, is appearing in the show as the vampy Sug Avery. And, if you're going to see the San Francisco production before Christmas, be forewarned that after the final curtain call, the cast is going to beg you to give to a Broadway charity. The entire casts stands at all the exits with red buckets, asking you to give money...$200..$2000 or whatever you can afford. Overall, I would recommend seeing the play for the great sets, colorful costumes, strong performances and uplifting message.
Originally Posted By ToonKirby Full circle: Oprah wants to turn the musical (back) into a movie: <a href="http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=23535" target="_blank">http://broadwayworld.com/viewc olumn.cfm?colid=23535</a> - kch, <a href="http://moviedearest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://moviedearest.blogspot.c om/</a>
