| The ‘Color Purple’ arriving in Detroit |
| By Melody Deniece Moore |
Published
05/15/2008
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Entertainment
| Unrated |
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“The Color Purple” arriving in Detroit
JEANNETTE BAYARDELLE (Celie) and LaToya London (Nettie). – Paul Kolnik photos
Excitement has been building for several months in anticipation of the smash hit Broadway musical “The Color Purple” arriving in Detroit for a limited run — May 20 through June 1 — at the Fox Theatre. Detroit is the eighth city of the tour.
“The Color Purple” is based on the acclaimed novel, published in 1983, by Alice Walker. In addition to earning a Pulitzer Prize, it went on to become a highly successful movie (featuring, among others, Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg) and from there a box office bonanza as a Broadway musical, at one point starring third-season “American Idol” winner Fantasia.
Known for eliciting strong, and often audible, response from audiences, “The Color Purple” takes place in the South in the 1930s, when life was much tougher for Black people. The story is told through letters and diary entries of Celie, who is poor, uneducated and carries the scars of having been sexually abused and impregnated by the man she believes is her father. More trauma follows when she is forced to marry a man who is abusive, not only physically but sexually and mentally as well.
Celie is inspired by the toughness and tenacity of another woman who has faced abuse, Sofia. Simply put, Sofia is not one to accept mistreatment. She fights back. Celie is impressed and begins to see the possibilities of her own life differently, becoming increasingly independent and outspoken.
The Broadway adaptation was produced by Oprah Winfrey’s company. Despite its detractors — some criticized the show for the way the Black man is presented — “The Color Purple” received eleven Tony Award nominations and five Outer Critics Circle Award nominations. It ran from December 2005 to February 2008.
The latest incarnation features Jeannette Bayardelle as Celie, Felicia Fields as Sophia, and former “American Idol” finalist LaToya London as Nettie. It also includes involvement from native Detroiter Allee Willis, co-composer. Willis, a graduate of Mumford High School, has written songs for, among others, Earth, Wind & Fire, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle.
“I never thought ‘The Color Purple” would be a musical; that’s an oxymoron,” said Fields. “It has so much tragedy in it to make it a musical, but I was curious as to see how they would develop that.”
Fields said there are many similarities between her own personality and that of Sophia.
“I did not need a whole lot of preparation for the character,” she said. “I will not let anybody hit me. I feel like Sophia. ‘Oh, no!’ I’m a thick girl, I’m headstrong and very determined. I don’t believe that I can get pushed around. I have a voice and I will use it.”
Fields wants the musical drama to inspire change in the lives of viewers whose lives may be problematic.
“Sophia’s character is a beacon for women who are being abused or have been abused,” said Fields. “On Broadway, I would leave the theater and there would be women coming up to me saying, ‘I have been in this situation and I want to thank you because I feel like I have more strength.’
‘The Color Purple’ has the ability to help women who do not stand up for themselves to learn that they can come out on top. Sophia is a survivor.”
While in town, Fields said she plans to visit her aunt who moved here several years ago.
Performance times are Tuesday through Thursday, May 20-22, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 23, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 24, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, May 25, at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Performances May 26 through June 1 are Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Ticket prices range from $39.50 to $75. They can be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets, by calling (248) 645-6666 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com.
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