THE COLOR PURPLE

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Greenway Court Theatre (CA)

Los Angeles, CA

Critics

LemonMeter

100 %

Reviews: 5

Audience

LemonMeter

Reviews: 0

Book by Marsha Norman
Music and Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray
Directed and Choreographed by Jeffrey Polk
November 9 – December 9, 2018

The Color Purple is an inspiring family saga that tells the unforgettable story of a woman who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world.

This musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel (and the popular 1985 Steven Spielberg film) spotlights Celie, a downtrodden young woman whose personal awakening over the course of 40 years forms the arc of this epic story.

With a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music and blues, The Color Purple is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life. With a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, The Color Purple premiered at the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta, Georgia and opened on Broadway on November 1, 2005. It was nominated for eleven 2006 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Original Score. The London off-West End production opened on Broadway in 2015, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

Director and choreographer Jeffrey Polk is a native Californian and is very honored and blessed to direct Greenway Court Theatre’s The Color Purple. His credits include: associate director for Blues in the Night at the Wallis Annenberg (Dir. Sheldon Epps); choreographer for Kiss Me, Kate starring Wayne Brady at Pasadena Playhouse (Dir. Sheldon Epps); choreographer for Dreamgirls at Theatre Under the Stars in Houston (Dir. Sheldon Epps). He is a Guest Director with The Young Americans Music Outreach World Tours. Jeffrey directed and choreographed Smokey Joe’s Cafe at Pasadena Playhouse, for which he received an NAACP Theatre Award for “Best Director of a Musical.” He has written/ directed shows for Hillcrest Country Club along with producers Berry Gordy, Hal David and Walter Grauman. Jeffrey also performed on Broadway, National Broadway Tours and around the world.

Reviews

I cannot even think of enough accolades to share about the current production being staged by Greenway Arts AllianceBWW Review: THE COLOR PURPLE Speaks Directly to the Need for Hope and Redemption During Challenging Times (Whitney Weston and Pierson Blaetz, Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors) at the Greenway Court Theatre (544 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles) through December 9. The totally entertaining and artistically brilliant production, directed and choreographed by NAACP Theater Award-winner Jeffrey Polk, pulled me in from the moment it started until the end, given the amazingly talented cast who bring the characters so realistically to life that you can actually feel all the emotions each is going through from moment to moment. You will laugh, be fearful, cry and celebrate with all of them by the time the show ends.

sweet - Shari Barrett - Broadway World - ...read full review

While the Broadway show earned an impressive 11 Tony nominations on its first run, and won Best Revival in 2016, Jeffrey Polk's direction and choreography as well as the musical direction of Patrick Gandy yield great rewards in this small and intimate Hollywood space... Word of mouth is already out about the strength of this production, so grab a seat at one of the remaining six shows. Because it's Hollywood, it's beautiful, and you're here.

sweet - Stana Milanovich - Discover Hollywood - ...read full review

This is a fabulous production. It will make you tear up, and it will make you laugh out loud. It proves that no huge stage is needed to send an audience home happy and inspired. This is, for sure, the one musical you should not miss this month.

sweet - Dena Burroughs - The Fume of Sighs - ...read full review

Musical director/conductor Patrick Gandy has worked wonders with an already outstanding ensemble of singers. The music is energetic and precise. Director/choreographer Jeffery Polk organizes the staging well, keeps the pace tight and creates lively choreography. Sound designer Julie Ferrin slightly misses the mark as the band sometimes overpowers the singers. Dana Rebecca Woods' costume design is detailed and attractive. - RECOMMENDED

sweet - Dana Martin - Stage Raw - ...read full review

Sensational performances and an intimate theatrical setting make Greenway Arts Alliance's The Color Purple an exciting addition to the L.A. holiday scene if not as spectacular a revival as the musical's 2012 99-seat L.A. debut.

sweet - Steven Stanley - Stage Scene LA - ...read full review

I cannot even think of enough accolades to share about the current production being staged by Greenway Arts AllianceBWW Review: THE COLOR PURPLE Speaks Directly to the Need for Hope and Redemption During Challenging Times (Whitney Weston and Pierson Blaetz, Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors) at the Greenway Court Theatre (544 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles) through December 9. The totally entertaining and artistically brilliant production, directed and choreographed by NAACP Theater Award-winner Jeffrey Polk, pulled me in from the moment it started until the end, given the amazingly talented cast who bring the characters so realistically to life that you can actually feel all the emotions each is going through from moment to moment. You will laugh, be fearful, cry and celebrate with all of them by the time the show ends.

sweet - Shari Barrett - Broadway World - ...read full review

While the Broadway show earned an impressive 11 Tony nominations on its first run, and won Best Revival in 2016, Jeffrey Polk's direction and choreography as well as the musical direction of Patrick Gandy yield great rewards in this small and intimate Hollywood space... Word of mouth is already out about the strength of this production, so grab a seat at one of the remaining six shows. Because it's Hollywood, it's beautiful, and you're here.

sweet - Stana Milanovich - Discover Hollywood - ...read full review

This is a fabulous production. It will make you tear up, and it will make you laugh out loud. It proves that no huge stage is needed to send an audience home happy and inspired. This is, for sure, the one musical you should not miss this month.

sweet - Dena Burroughs - The Fume of Sighs - ...read full review

Musical director/conductor Patrick Gandy has worked wonders with an already outstanding ensemble of singers. The music is energetic and precise. Director/choreographer Jeffery Polk organizes the staging well, keeps the pace tight and creates lively choreography. Sound designer Julie Ferrin slightly misses the mark as the band sometimes overpowers the singers. Dana Rebecca Woods' costume design is detailed and attractive. - RECOMMENDED

sweet - Dana Martin - Stage Raw - ...read full review

Sensational performances and an intimate theatrical setting make Greenway Arts Alliance's The Color Purple an exciting addition to the L.A. holiday scene if not as spectacular a revival as the musical's 2012 99-seat L.A. debut.

sweet - Steven Stanley - Stage Scene LA - ...read full review