The Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of "The Color Purple" stops at the Tivoli Theatre for three performances Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8.
"The Color Purple" focuses on the life of African-American women in the South during the 1930s, addressing numerous societal issues. The central character, Celie, is a poor, uneducated teenager whose father, Alphonso, physically and sexually abuses her.
If you go
› What: “The Color Purple”› Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.› When: 2 and 7:30 p.m. March 7, 2 p.m. March 8› Admission: $38, $53, $68 and $78› For more information: 423-757-5580
When a local farmer, Albert "Mister" Johnson, asks Alphonso for permission to marry one of his daughters, Alphonso offers Celie. Celie goes with Mister, sacrificing herself to save sister Nettie's dream of becoming a teacher. The sisters lose touch with each other and the musical follows their journey to be reunited.
Despite its sobering topics, "The Color Purple" has been critically praised as "heart-capturing, uplifting, vibrant and profoundly moving." Its Grammy-winning score includes jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues music.
The musical's book is by Marsha Norman with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. It is based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker and its 1985 film adaptation.
Elizabeth Adabale, Shelby A. Sykes and Parris Lewis, from left, are the church ladies in "The Color Purple." / Jeremy Daniel Photo