Theater: Color Purple

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The very popular name "Oprah Winfrey" is now perfectly attached to the incredible stage version of "The Color Purple." Color Purple is an upcoming Broadway musical which has a powerful and acclaimed presence to help sell this hugely popular show. One of the celebrity producers Winfrey of the off-Broadway is a rare talent in the theatrical world. Winfrey has other several popular outlets to her name including the popular TV talk show and Oprah's Book Club which really celebrates the real joy of reading. According to Nancy Coyne, Oprah's name attached to the "The Color Purple" has been doing great for this remarkable show and also to Broadway. Hugely acclaimed producer Scott Sander, who has been deeply associated with "The Color Purple" for the last eight years, agrees that the show has done a great uplifting as far as his career is concerned.

"The Color Purple," musical is based on the Pulitzer award-winning novel of Alice Walker. This hugely popular musical has been revised since its premier and after receiving some discouraging reviews. Winfrey a huge star was nominated for an Oscar for her superb performance in the articulated film version of "The Color Purple," very well directed by Steven Spielberg. The book has been sincerely adapted by Marsha norman, the popular author of "night, Mother." This will be directed by Gary Griffin, who has already worked in famous musicals like "My Fair Lady" and "Pacific Overtures." The Choreography is contributed by Donald Byrd.

The Plot of the play deals with the main character Celie; it is written in letters and presented as a pitiable conversation between Celie and God. Celie the main character changes throughout the play. When she is only fourteen years old, innocent and naive, she suffer as her mother dies, her stepfather used to rape her and also beats her frequently. She goes through the hard phase of life because her family is poor and there is no one who can really address her anguish. Her endless agony continues as her father forcibly marries her to Albert, though she hates him. Celie hates him and he ridicules her and regularly beats. Her miserable life continues but she doesn't succumb to her miseries and constantly write to God in order to satisfy herself. Celie is practically a slave, who is taken as granted; can be beaten and abused. Her misery continues and then she starts hating herself. But then comes the biggest turn in the play; Celie's life takes a positive turn, when her husband's illicit lover and a blues singer Shug Avery visits her world. Shug helps Celie to find herself and to speak up for herself. Then, Celie realizes that she is worth something and explores the hidden aspects of her life. Shug's emotional support makes her defy the continuous torture and gives her courage and strength to start her life all over again. Walker excellently portrays her character; really addresses the agonies and inner conflicts of a woman. There are some frank sexual depictions. Still Walker deserves all the credit to present her characters authentically. The show provides an excellent treat to watch with some introspective moments. While, making the ?Color Purple? musical nothing has been changed as far as the real story of the novel is concerned.

There are some other secondary characters those are presented beautifully and so strongly that at times they tend to overshadow the central story like: Brandon Victor Dixon?s engaging Harpo and his dramatic transformation from domination to more sensitive and understanding. This gripping story is very well mixed up with some songs running the Jazz, gospel, ballads and gamot of blues. The story is presented in the most evocative, natural and fitting environment possible. Lighting designer Brian MacDevitt creates some superb and gorgeously poetic shadow effects to make this a memorable one with some sizzling effects. The show has got everything to make someone feel the delights of theatrical world.