The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Breaking News

Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

First Look - ReviewsOld
Home›featured-blogs›First Look - Reviews›First look review: Former big-screen hit and Broadway favorite The Color Purple lands at The Mercury Theater

First look review: Former big-screen hit and Broadway favorite The Color Purple lands at The Mercury Theater

By TheRealChicagoOnline
September 4, 2013
1230
0
Share:

By Hilary Ward

Playing at: The Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Ave.

https://mercurytheaterchicago.com/the-color-purple/ -HCKj8_NyGZnGP6CBsg2TaLJ1h-DhDLuTEXHneOTk-o

When: Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. through October 27.

History: Based on the 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, this controversial tale was adapted into a film directed by Steven Spielberg starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. It was later made into a Broadway hit, receiving 11 Tony award nominations, including Best Musical, plus a Grammy nominated musical score. Oprah Winfrey returned to produce its Chicago run at the Cadillac Palace theater in 2007.

Basic storyline: Beginning in Georgia in the 1930s, we meet Celie, a 14-year-old African American girl trapped in a life where being beaten and raped by her father isn’t front-page news. Already a mother of two children she assumes were taken for dead, Celie is then forced into marrying Mister, a vicious man who cobbRynJgvmk8Kt9vYqwZkLx06IAfxbphAPKYANj3tLQ8ntinues this treatment of his own and separates her from her sister, Celie’s only bit of hope in the world. From here we meet a colorful mix of characters who help guide her to a life of tenacity and confidence.

What to expect: Two and a half hours stirring plenty of emotion, chock full of chilling harmonies and impressive acting, albeit all over downtrodden subject matter.

What stood out: Trisha Jeffrey’s captivating performance from beginning to end, with an impressive ability to believably portray Celie from 14 to 50 years old. Jeffrey is able to grab a hold of your empathy from the start, rattle it as she grapples with the unfortunate cards she’s been dealt, and doesn’t let go until after you’re walking out of the theater.

Other standout performances include the loveable Sofie (Jasondra Johnson), who introduces a fresh, empowering, “Hell no!” approach to the otherwise frustratingly submissive demeanor of Celie. More spunk and humor j6aKaHxKeRyyHwqsOIpnqYbU096ynmRrk9AK9zgiFh4brightened the mood each time the three gossiping gals (Brittany Bradshaw, Carrie Abernathy, Sydney Charles) glided on stage.

Set to a fantastic live score of blues, jazz, pop and even African beats, the group dance numbers were performed with impressive precision and seemingly genuine joy.

Final thoughts: Who would have thought that a story about racism, sexism and oppression could end up being so uplifting? As noted in the opening number, this is an epic tale jam packed with “joyful noise” despite being based on a bundle of controversial matters.

TagsBrittany BradshawCadillac PalaceCarrie AbernathyGrammyHilary WardJasondra JohnsonMercury TheaterOprahPulitzerSydney CharlesThe Color PurpleTony AwardTrisha JeffreyWhoopi Goldberg
Previous Article

We Ask, They Answer: Q&A with comedian ...

Next Article

First Look review: “9 Circles” from the ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: The Steep Theatre’s “Birdland” is an intensely captivating exploration of the pitfalls of fame

    May 4, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General FeaturesWeekend Warriors

    Weekend Warriors: Conquering your fear of heights by way of the Chicago Trapeze School

    September 25, 2012
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Hidden Gems

    Chicago’s hidden gems: Brunch at Endgrain, cocktails at Bar on Buena and shopping at Twosided

    February 15, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: Steppenwolf’s “The Flick” succeeds with quiet introspection and questions raised in relationship to film, art and life

    March 2, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Top Chef, Chicago style: Analyzing the city’s hottest restaurants

    April 12, 2012
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Shop Around the Corner

    Shop Around the Corner: Twosided and The Boring Store

    February 1, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    A very good year: Check out some of Chicago’s top new restaurants

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    1920s-style night out: Uncovering Chicago’s speakeasy past

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Love is in the air: Romantic spots to spend Valentine’s Day in Chicago

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
© Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login