Living Outside The Lines: The Color Purple

Domestic abuse. Oprah Winfrey. Those two phrases completely describe everything I knew about the Tony award winning musical, “The Color Purple.”

Becky J Miller | Exclusive to Corridor News

Domestic abuse. Oprah Winfrey. Those two phrases completely describe everything I knew about the Tony award winning musical, “The Color Purple.” However, my ignorance mattered not when my friend asked if I cared to join her at the Majestic Theater in San Antonio to watch said production.  Great Friend + Cultural Experience + Always a Good Time = HECK YES!!

For anyone unfamiliar with the story itself, the Cliff Notes version doesn’t leave out much, it even helps satisfy some questions left unanswered by the musical. The show itself is nothing short of amazing. Adrianna Hicks, who plays central character Celie, in her first national tour of, “The Color Purple,” most definitely has the vocal props and stage presence to lead the show.

Much of the story is unsettling, after all, the production opens with the revelation that Celie is expecting her second child fathered by the man she believes to be her biological father. Further, after the births of each of her children, Celie is forced to hand them over to their father; a man whom she believes kills them.

Despite her mother’s untimely death, being raped by her step-father, the forced abandonment of her children, and her beloved sister’s disappearance, somehow Celie not only finds the will to continue living, but she exhibits uncanny care and concern for those around her. As a spectator, one keeps waiting for the moment when Celie completely loses her cool. It does come, but not really in the anticipated manner.

Themes of violence, male domination, and adultery permeate the story, angering this 21^st century woman. However, given the setting of the novel; deep South, early 1900’s, one begins to understand this was, however unforgivable, a cultural norm of the time. Celie’s eventual self-revelation that she is a strong, independent, and beautiful woman is tear evoking.

It is this author’s understanding that the tour is the first time “The Color Purple” has played in Texas. The set is bare bones with minimal costume changes and yet the audience experience lacks for nothing. An interesting note, Ms. Hicks originally hails from our very own McKinney, TX.

After San Antonio, “The Color Purple” moves on to Memphis, Tennessee; Saint Louis, Missouri; New Orleans, Louisiana; Miami & Tampa, Florida; among other cities. It is definitely a show worth seeing!

And, if you happened to miss it, the Majestic has plenty of other great shows left in the 2017-18 season, and more planned for 2018-19. I’ve seen, “Phantom of the Opera” and “Wicked”, both fabulous but am totally open to seeing them again, especially if someone else is buying. ;-)  “School of Rock” looks entertaining, as does “Waitress”. However, do not invite me to “Hamilton” as my dance card for that production is already full.

Until Next Time,
Becky J Miller
“Warrior Princess”

Becky J Miller is a contributor and is exclusive to SM Corridor News. You can read more of Becky’s columns in Lifestyle.