A rich, harrowing and deeply evocative story has been superbly translated into captivating musical theatre in this Australasian premiere production of The Color Purple – The Musical. It charts the life of Celie Johnson (played by Jayme-Lee Hanekom – Disney’s The Lion King), a battered and downtrodden African-American woman from when she was a 14-year-old in 1909. Raped, beaten and treated shamefully by most men in her life, her children are torn from her arms and she and her dear sister Nettie are forced apart. Surviving these vicissitudes, she finds a way to work through the pain and heartache. Big voices are the order of the day as talented members of the 16-strong on-stage and three off-stage cast sing up a storm.
The Color Purple – The Musical is based upon the 1982 novel written by Alice Walker and the 1985 Steven Spielberg directed film of the same name. The book of the musical is by Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Stephen Bray, Brenda Russell and Allee Willis. This production is directed by Robbie Carmelloti, with choreography by Jayden Hicks and musical direction from Caleb Garfinkel. The original Broadway production – which, incidentally received 11 Tony Award nominations, the same number of Oscar nominations the movie garnered – ran from 2005 to 2008.
It was revived in 2015, when it won two Tonys, including Best Revival of a Musical. The score features a cavalcade of wonderful music – jazz, ragtime, gospel, African music and blues – which help to propel the storyline. The musical is broken into two one-hour acts along with a 20-minute interval. Bare staging involves two tiers of wooden slats, one a step up from the other, together with eight slatted wooden benches that are used as both seating and props. 20 naked bulbs are positioned on the side and back walls, with others above the performers.
As excellent as this production was, I would be keen to see a full-scale endeavour – complete with detailed sets – mounted in Australia. The casting of The Color Purple – The Musical is exemplary, with some of the finest voices you are likely to hear on stage. Jayme-Lee Hanekom leads from the front as the vulnerable Celie who finds inner strength to not only survive but thrive (the role that saw Whoopi Goldberg receive a Golden Globe award). Vanessa Menjivar maintains an infectious bluster as Sofia, the wife of Celie’s husband Albert “Mister” Johnson’s son Harpo (the part that helped propel Oprah Winfrey to stardom). Thando Sikwila has a larger than life presence as jazz singer Shug Avery. All the principals – which include Kendrew A. Heriveaux as Mister, Iopu Auva’a as Harpo and Anna Francesca Armenia as Celie’s beloved sister Nettie – quickly establish distinct identities and strong audience connection.
I also really appreciated the roles filled by Zenya Carmellotti as a waitress named Squeak, who moves in with Harpo, and the huge introduction from Noelani Petero as the church soloist. Passion and conviction ring true throughout and we – the audience – are the winners.
The Color Purple – The Musical is playing at Chapel off Chapel until 6th November.
Alex First
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television