The Color Purple
There’s a gorgeous scene late in the second act of The Color Purple, currently onstage at Nashville Repertory Theatre. Here, the set’s towering back wall slowly opens to reveal a warm, shimmering glow. Celie — the story’s long-suffering protagonist — turns to face the light with her head held high, and for the first time, we get the sense that she’s finally free to live life on her own terms. It’s a striking image, and just one of many delights to be found in this outstanding production.
Based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film, The Color Purple tells the story of Celie, a poor Black woman struggling to survive all manner of abuse and oppression in early-20th-century Georgia. It’s a sprawling tale that spans decades and crosses continents, and of course inspired the 2023 film directed by Blitz Bazawule. I must admit that when I first encountered the musical — catching the first national tour in Los Angeles in 2008, even as the original 2005 Broadway production was still chugging along at the Broadway Theatre — I struggled to connect with what felt like a disjointed narrative and overstuffed design.
Fortunately, Nashville Rep’s current staging sticks more closely to the sleek yet satisfying 2015 revival. Yes, Marsha Norman’s book is still rather simplistic, glossing over harrowing themes of rape, incest and racial violence. But the polished score — crafted by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray — offers a solid blend of gospel, blues and jazz. Director Reggie Law (impressive in his Rep debut) manages to strike a more balanced tone than I’ve seen in other productions, while eliciting some really marvelous performances from his cast.
As Celie, Carli Hardon provides the beating heart of this musical, turning in a thoughtful and beautifully measured portrayal that not only captures the depths of her character’s pain, but also the strength of her spirit. She’s in fine form vocally, whether offering the tender “Somebody Gonna Love You” or the lively “Miss Celie’s Pants.” But Hardon takes care not to rush Celie’s journey, giving us a believable transformation, marked by hard-won grace and dignity. By the time she reaches Act II’s pivotal “I’m Here,” we feel that she’s really earned each gut-wrenching lyric.
Meanwhile, Tamica Nicole is bold and appropriately sultry as jazz singer Shug Avery, absolutely cutting loose in “Push da Button.” But there are unexpected bits of vulnerability too, which help solidify the bond Shug shares with Celie. Nicole’s rendition of “Too Beautiful for Words” is especially lush, and “The Color Purple” provides another highlight.
Shinnerrie Jackson inhabits the mighty Sofia with great style and swagger. Maya Antoinette Riley is excellent as Celie’s devoted sister Nettie. It’s lovely to see Riley and Hardon reunited onstage (both were sensational in Studio Tenn and TPAC’s 2022 staging of Aida), and their sisterly connection is on full display in “Huckleberry Pie” and “Our Prayer.”
The Color Purple
Not surprisingly, women are front-and-center throughout The Color Purple. There’s even a trio of church ladies (played by the marvelous Lindsey Kaye Pace, Yolanda Treece and Meggan Utech), serving as a gossipy Greek chorus of sorts, providing sly commentary and some much-needed humor. But there’s also ample support from Elliott Winston Robinson (brutal yet clearly broken as Mister) and Gerold Oliver (perfectly charming as Harpo). In fact, the entire ensemble is fantastic — executing Joi Ware’s lyrical, often-jubilant choreography in big numbers like “Shug Avery Comin’ to Town” and “African Homeland.” Of course, music director Dion Treece and his stellar band also deserve credit for delivering such memorable musical moments.
Bathed in Dalton Hamilton’s sumptuous lighting, Joonhee Park’s rugged clapboard set easily takes us from the local church to Harpo’s juke joint and even a far-off village in Africa. And Nia Safarr Banks’ period costumes add another layer, with the monochromatic color palette becoming more vibrant as Celie comes into her own.
It’s a story that’s been told many times and in many ways, but rarely with such focus. And in the capable hands of this cast and creative team, The Color Purple feels like a revival in every sense of the word, offering a true celebration of strength, hope and self-discovery.
