"Color Purple" original vs. revival.

[@z5]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 1:14am

I have only seen the revival of Purple, and absolutely love it and have seen it multiple times already. Just wondering, how different is it from the original (besides set design i know) and if it is that much better even?

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 6:59am

I didn't see the original but as far as I can tell, mainly the book has been truncated. The score is completely in tact, minus the overture. 

[Patash]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 7:52am

I did see the original and let me say that I knew nothing about it -- having never read the book or seen the film.  I was essentially lost in the Broadway production. I remember some pretty big rousing numbers, but not much else.  It was lost on me to be honest. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 8:26am

I haven't yet seen the revival, but want to desperately.  

 

I saw the original with my sister who, like you Patash, had no knowledge of the source material.  However, she loved it.  Thought it was quite powerful.  (I liked it a lot, but I was already in love with both the novel and the film.)

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 9:56am

If you did not enjoy the original production, I would seriously give this revival a chance. It even changed Brantley's opinion on the show. As expected, Doyle highlights the smaller/lyrical numbers, which really helps to expose the beauty of the underrated score.

Updated On: 1/27/16 at 09:56 AM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 12:04pm

I did not connect with the original production at all.  I found it to be pretty awful, honestly.  The only things I liked about the original were Felicia P. Fields as Sophia and the set, which, while beautiful, didn't really serve the show well.  I didn't get the LaChanze hype at all.  She really didn't sing the score all that well.  In fact, it wasn't until I saw the revival that I really appreciated the score since it's now being sung the way it's supposed to be sung.  Talk about a case of night and day.  The revival is splendid (with one or two small quibbles from me), and it really should be seen.

Updated On: 1/27/16 at 12:04 PM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 1:46pm

I saw the original and disliked it immensely.  I don't remember much (which tends to happen when I dislike something), but I do remember the church ladies annoying the hell out of me. I purchased the cast recording thinking maybe I'd have a change of heart, but with the exception of the finale, I didn't particularly like the score all that much either.

Seeing the revival was like watching a completely different show.  I loved the scaled-down version.  I felt much more involved in the story.  Cynthia Erivo is truly something special.  I was extremely moved by I'm Here, and the final number.  No complaints here from me.  I actually can't wait for the cast recording to come out.

I don't think I have ever had an about face about a show before.  Go figure.

Updated On: 1/27/16 at 01:46 PM

[shomeika]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 1:48pm

I've seen  original a few times, including during "development" in Atlanta @ Alliance.  I liked it a whole lot.  I'm seeing the revival next month.  Besides scaling back on the sets, I heard they cut out the "Africa" scene.  But from what I just read here, all of the songs are intact.  So its not necessarily shorter?

 

So excited to see how the show has changed. 

[bjh2114]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 1:57pm

The Africa scene at the top of Act 2 is still there.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 1:57pm

"African Homeland" is there in full. I'm not sure if some of the dialogue within the number is shortened. Was there another Africa scene? 

 

The score is definitely there in full although the playbill song list says otherwise. I just can't account for the minor "Church Ladies Easter" off the top of my head. 

Updated On: 1/27/16 at 01:57 PM

[ChiTheaterFan]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 2:17pm

I only saw the original on tour (not on Broadway) but I liked the revival far more. I can't compare the casts having not seen the original OBC, but I think the scaled down nature of the show really heightens the acting performances. It's not just the sets (although that's certainly part of it)--it's also the props and makeup. I do seem to remember aging makeup in the tour, and when Sophia was beat up, they used makeup. The new production does away with all of that and the actors have to portray it all through their performances. I thought it was just brilliant. 

 

I went into the tour not expecting much and it exceeded my expectations. I went into the revival knowing Id enjoy the show and was blown away. 

[shomeika]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 2:57pm

bjh2114 said: "The Africa scene at the top of Act 2 is still there.   Ahhh, I must have misunderstood something, or a review. 

 

"

 

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 3:19pm

The beauty of Doyle's direction is that the smaller  numbers now become real standouts. Celies verses in "Shug Avery Coming to Town," The heart wrenching "Lily of the Field" and the spoken act 1 finale are especially moving due to Erivo's palpable delivery. 

Updated On: 1/27/16 at 03:19 PM

[@z5]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 9:00pm

This helps, thanks!! 

I am honestly so in love with the revival, I find it to be incredible, from top to bottom. 

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 9:50pm

I saw the original on tour, and found it a bit meandering and boring - serviceable...  I was lucky enough to catch the revival when I was in NY last month, and was astonished.  It was the most unexpected evening of musical joy that I can recall.  I also saw Hamilton, which I excepted to love, but the Color Purple caught me by surprise (I saw it the day before it opened). I am so looking forward to getting the cast recording.

[Hellob]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 10:39pm

The audience was much more vocal than the original. They were like an extra character. It was kind of too much for me. 

[@z5]

Posted: 1/27/16 at 11:22pm

Seen it 4 times already, and love it more each time. cannot wait to go again. also so excited for the album!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 4/21/16 at 10:42pm

Finally caught this Weds night.   Wow, what a splendid evening.  So many wonderful things that I was entranced by.  The voices, the relationships, the spirit, the staging.  It felt more abstract than the original and yet so much more intimate.  (If that can exist together.)   

 

Cynthia Erivo.....ohmigoodness.....a goddess with gilded vocals cords.  Simplhy Amazing.   I just loved it.  Had my 19 year old with me, too -- who is not known for enjoying darker shows, and she, too was blown away.  I think she was surprised by how moved she was.

 

My only criticism is that JHud seem to lose steam by the end of Act II, and that she was just herself, hanging out on stage waiting to go home.  (Other than that, she ws in FINE voice/character the rest of the evening.)

 

I can't imagine this NOT taking home Best revival, and I don't doubt many of the actressess will also get nominations, and I believe I'll be rooting for Erivo for the win.  

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 4/22/16 at 2:38am

They cut some of the Church Ladies stuff. 

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/22/16 at 6:47am

I think they only cut the Easter song for the Church Ladies as Ljay pointed out in another thread about this, but I can't tell that any other major cuts from listening to the OBCR. I wanna say that from reading Brantley's review of the London production of the revival, "African Homeland" was cut in that version or at least he alludes to something of the like, but the number is definitely there in the Broadway revival and it's one of the standouts given Joaquina Kalukango's perfect characterization of Nettie and Erivo's reactions, which actually allow her some great fun reactions  ("No, I think I'd feel better if I killed him," or her reaction to Harpo telling her he has never seen her just sit there).

I can't sing enough praises for this revival. I was simply floored by it. Every moment works, the opening number is ravishing, "Our Prayer" is sweet and devastating, and by the time that number is done, I knew this would be a special revival. I've said this in a few other threads before, but I was surprised by the fact I started crying around the middle part of "I'm Here" and had to make myself snap out of it when I was still doing so 10 minutes after the show ended. I haven't read the book (reading it now actually) or seen the film, so maybe I was just overwhelmed with the story. Either way, I can't imagine a better version of this story.

I've listened to the OBCR a few times after seeing the revival and was so disappointed by pretty much all of it. There's just something that doesn't ring true about it, something that seems artificial and manufactured. The performers are good, some even great, but I can't say I am a fan of LaChanze's take on the role and the Church Ladies' numbers, which were a highlight when I saw the revival, come across as derivative in the OBCR.