See it on Broadway through January 8th only. The Color Purple is the 2016 Tony Award winner for Best Musical Revival. Best Actress Tony Award winner CYNTHIA ERIVO ("an incandescent new star" says The New York Times) leads a powerhouse cast in this epic story of a young woman’s journey to love and joy in the American South. Joining her is Tony and Grammy-winning Broadway legend JENNIFER HOLLIDAY (Dreamgirls). Tony winner JOHN DOYLE directs.
Don't miss two of Broadway's most powerful performers together on one stage in this Tony-winning triumph that New York Magazine calls "one of the greatest revivals ever."
Experience the exhilarating power of this Tony-winning triumph that New York Magazine calls "one of the greatest revivals ever."
While actors doubling as the orchestra, the concept Doyle is best known for, is eschewed here, his other frequently used techniques - staging that limits personal connections between characters and production values that don't clearly communicate locations - are out in full force. Granted, this production originated at London's modestly-sized Menier Chocolate Factory, so a bit of scaling down is to be expected, but the orchestrations could at least be restored to their original 18 pieces instead of remaining at six.
In the glorious Broadway revival of The Color Purple (* * * * out of four stars)...leading lady Cynthia Erivo -- remember the name, because you'll be hearing more of it -- speaks mostly in a low, wry voice. 'Speaks' would be the operative word here, because when Erivo raises that voice in song, it soars with a force that seems almost supernatural, but is also distinctly, piercingly human...In Purple, the director confronted a less cohesive score...with lyrics that, like Marsha Norman's book, can flirt with platitudes. Those words and music remain, but under Doyle's guidance...they seem reborn. Melodies float and swing in more R&B-savvy arrangements, providing showcases for the extravagantly gifted singer/actors featured here...The Color Purple is ultimately a story of redemption, and Doyle and his cast do a miraculous job of capturing that essence, down to its spiritual core, without getting preachy or mawkish.
2004Â Â | New York |
Reading New York |
2004Â Â |
World Premiere |
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2005Â Â | New York |
Workshop New York |
2005Â Â | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
2007Â Â | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
2015Â Â | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Production Broadway |
2017Â Â | US Tour |
Revival National Tour US Tour |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Cynthia Erivo |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Director of a Musical | John Doyle |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Danielle Brooks |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design for a Musical | Jane Cox |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Catherine Jayes |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Joseph Joubert |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | The Color Purple |
2016 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Cynthia Erivo |
2016 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Jennifer Hudson |
2016 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical | The Color Purple |
2016 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Cynthia Erivo |
2016 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Danielle Brooks |
2016 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or off-Broadway) | The Color Purple |
2016 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Musical | John Doyle |
2016 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical | Danielle Brooks |
2016 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical | Cynthia Erivo |
2016 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | The Color Purple |
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