Vibrant “The Color Purple” transcends at the Bushnell

HARTFORD — “The Color Purple” has seen all kinds of transformations, from a novel, to a movie, and a Broadway musical that is now on tour, playing at the Bushnell through Sunday.
Some of the lead characters in the cast were from the Broadway show, including Kenita R. Miller as Celie, and the Tony nominated actors Felicia P. Fields as Sofia and Brandon Victor Dixon as Harpo.
The play closely follows the story originally written by Alice Walker. Beginning in 1911 Georgia through the 1940s, it follows the life of 14-year-old Celie, whose future looks none-too-bright, giving birth to her second child by the man she thinks is her father, and is shortly thereafter married off to a man she calls Mister, who treats her even worse.
Mister, played by Rufus Bonds Jr., transforms from a mean, nasty man, to a lover of Shug Avery, played by Angela Robinson, and finally to a redeemed and humbled human being.
Bonds has a terrific, powerful, and excellent voice which he really shows when he sings “Celie’s Curse” in the second act.
Celie loves her sister Nettie, in Tuesday’s show played by Latrisa A. Harper. Nettie ends up in Africa with missionaries, while Celie toils through her thankless, loveless life.
Celie meets the glamorous singer Shug, and they fall in love, a relationship the musical explores. Celie eventually finds the strength to leave her husband and then learns to see the wonder in her own self.
The subplot, with the fiesty Sofia, played by the sassy Fields, marrying one of Mister’s sons, Harpo, played by Dixon, is interesting and lends the show depth.
The large ensemble cast displays a lot of talent and energy, dancing the jitterbug during the jazz scenes, as well at the athletic African dance numbers.
The costumes, and there were many, were bright, fun, and intricate, including some wacky and bizarre hats for the church ladies. Costumes by Paul Tazewell.
Celie starts a career making colorful pants that anyone can wear that she calls “Folkspants” thereby becoming the forerunner to a “Project Runway” contestant.
The backdrop of the sun in various degrees of setting, was a good choice, by John Lee Beatty, giving a feeling of the warm southern skys.
The rousing gospel numbers in the beginning are the most memorable. The show is more of a musical opera than a typical musical, with little dialog and lots of singing, while none of the songs are ones that you can’t stop thinking about.
“The Color Purple” is a production that affirms the possibility of change even in the worst of characters, and the power of redemption and forgiveness. It’s a beautiful sentiment and a well-staged show.

THE COLOR PURPLE

3 Stars
Theater: The William H. Mortensen Hall at the Bushnell Memorial Center
Location: 166 Capitol Ave. Hartford
Production: Book by Marsha Norman. Music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. Directed by Gary Griffin. Choreography by Donald Byrd. Scenic design by John Lee Beatty. Costume design by Paul Tazewell. Lighting design by Brian MacDevitt. Sound design by Jon Weston.
Running time: 2 ½ hours, plus one 15-minute intermission
Show Times: Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. through June 14.
Tickets: $25 — $75. Call 860-987-5900 or visit their website at www.bushnell.org.

ACTOR…CHARACTER
Kenita R. Miller … Celie
Felicia P. Fields … Sofia
Rufus Bond Jr. … Mister
Brandon Victor Dixon … Harpo
Angela Robinson … Shug Avery
Tiffany Daniels … Squeak