But first, those performances.
Jennifer Hudson makes her Broadway debut here, and it only reconfirms that shes a star.
Shes also in her first Broadway role, and she turns out to be a gifted stage actress.
Credit: Matthew Murphy
Shes funny, sensitive, and compulsively charismatic.
But theyre both supporting players.
She plays Celie, who is diminished and defeated through much of the story but finally finds her strength.
Erivos portrayal of that transformation is remarkable.
Its an 11 oclock number that stops the show, and Erivos ovation is well-earned.
This is a star-making moment.
Then again,The Color Purpleis Celies show.
Ultimately, though, inspired by the models of Sofia and Shug, Celie realizes and asserts her self-worth.
The horrible story, improbably but somehow credibly (okay, somewhat credibly), ends in joy.
Their work forThe Color Purpleemploys Southern flourishes gospel here, fiddles there to beautiful effect.
This revival originated at Londons tiny Menier Chocolate Factory.
(Doyle also designed the sets and choreographed.)
As usual with Doyle, the streamlining allows the scripts emotion to shine clearly through.
And the emotion, of course, is the point.
Someone God, John Doyle, Oprah will be pissed off if you dont notice it.
