After joining the nearly sold-out crowd at Clowes Memorial Hall on opening night of Broadway Across America’s The Color Purple, I walked away a believer that could be done — and wishing I had stuck a few Kleenexes in my purse to get me through the night.
The soul-stirring production centered on the varying painful realities facing many African-American women in the South during the early to mid-1900s — from demeaning labor, dysfunctional relationships and incest to racism.
Kenita R. Miller stood out playing the heartbreaking role of Celie, who is raped by her stepfather and then forced to give up their two children by the age of 14.
The poignant “Dear God … why is this happening to me?” backdrop decorating the stage just before the start of the play fittingly set the tone. Throughout the performance, Miller convincingly portrays the transformation that takes place as her life becomes increasingly difficult — showing the innocence of a young girl who believes that God has some master plan for her life to that of an older woman who is convinced that he has completely abandoned her.
The musical numbers were strong — buoyed by the superb vocals delivered by the actors, especially by the Church Soloist in the number “Mysterious Ways” and Miller’s “I’m Here” as she finally accepts herself and her ability to plot her own course.
Felicia Fields’ Sofia added the much needed comical relief to this painful tale, as did Angela Robinson’s confident portrayal of Shug Avery.
The performers did an incredible job of proving why the musical version of The Color Purple was more than worthy of its Tony nomination.
The show continues through Jan. 3 at Clowes Memorial Hall. Log on www.cloweshall.org or call (317) 940-6444.
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by Shari Scales Finnell
