Intensely moving revival of "The Color Purple" comes to OKC
With a soul-raising, Grammy-winning score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, The Color Purple is an unforgettable and intensely moving revival of an American classic.
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and Academy Award-nominated feature film, The Color Purple leaves its mark on the soul. It’s coming to Oklahoma City January 2 to 7.
The musical tells the story of Celie, a black Southern woman, who struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over four decades.
Cast members from the 2016 Broadway revival lead the touring company, including Adrianna Hicks (Aladdin, Sister Act) as Celie, Carla R. Stewart (Ghost, Rent) as Shug Avery, Carrie Compere (Holler If You Hear Me, Shrek the Musical) as Sofia and Gavin Gregory (The Color Purple, The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess) as Mister.
Hicks says she is beyond thrilled to be playing Celie in her first national tour of The Color Purple. Her journey with musical theatre has taken her far beyond anything that she could have prayed for and she is overjoyed with the opportunity to help spread the healing power that The Color Purple has to bring.
Carla R. Stewart joins the tour after making her Broadway debut in the award winning revival. Carrie Compere says “I am so grateful to continue this journey with this wonderful cast and company,” after starring in the Broadway production.
They will be joined by N’Jameh Camara (X: Or, Betty Shabazz v. The Nation) as Nettie and J. Daughtry (The Color Purple, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical) as Harpo
Additional cast members are Darnell Abraham, Amar Atkins, Kyle E. Baird, Angela Birchett, Jared Dixon, Erica Durham, Bianca Horn, Gabrielle Reid, C.E. Smith, Clyde Voce, Nyla Watson, J.D. Webster, Brit West, Nikisha Williams and Michael Wordly.
Alice Walker, the original author, won the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award for The Color Purple, which was made into an internationally popular film by Steven Spielberg.
An activist and social visionary, Ms. Walker’s advocacy on behalf of the dispossessed has, in the words of her biographer, Evelyn C. White, “spanned the globe.”
The Color Purple is adapted for the stage by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. Tony Award winning director and scenic designer John Doyle (Sweeney Todd, Company) recreates his award winning work for the national tour, alongside costumes by Ann Hould-Ward, lighting by Jane Cox, sound by Dan Moses Schreier and wig and hair design by Charles G. LaPointe.
The revival of The Color Purple opened to great acclaim in summer 2013 at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, followed by a Broadway bow on November 10, 2015 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. It went on to win two 2016 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical.
OKC Broadway brings The Color Purple to Oklahoma City’s Civic Center Music Hall January 2 through 7. Tickets are available online at OKCBroadway.com, by calling (405) 297-2264 or by visiting the Civic Center Box Office.
Copyright The Gayly – December 27, 2017 @ 7:20 a.m. CST.