Gary Griffin stages ‘The Color Purple’ in Southland
By Betty Mohr bettybmohr@aol.com February 1, 2012 3:28PM
Broadway's hit musical "The Color Purple" will be staged for one night only on Feb. 8 at the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University. | Scott Suchman photo
‘THE COLOR PURPLE’
◆ 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8
◆ The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University, off University Parkway east of Governors Highway, University Park
◆ Tickets, $15 for rear balcony; $50 for main floor, mezzanine, balcony or mid-balcony; $57 for platinum
seating and $65 for box seating
Student tickets are available for $28 but only from the box office.
◆ (708) 235-2222; centertickets.net
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Updated: March 4, 2012 8:05AM
It was a popular yet controversial film when Steven Spielberg directed it in 1985.
But “The Color Purple” became an even bigger hit when director Gary Griffin turned the Alice Walker epic into a stage musical.
Opening in 2005 on Broadway in New York, where it won 11 Tony nominations, the musical began its national tour in Chicago in 2007 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.
“The Color Purple” was one of the most glamorous of Chicago openings as Oprah Winfrey, who was in the Spielberg movie and who financially backed the musical production, was in the audience.
Now, “The Color Purple” comes to the Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University for a one-night only performance on Feb. 8.
In the musical, the inspiring story of a black woman who overcomes adversity to discover her own unique worth, remains very much the same as it was in the movie.
Besides offering a musical score, the show offers an important difference.
“For the musical, we worked on getting the story more in tune with Alice Walker’s book,” Griffin said.
“In the book, after Celie, the main character, leaves Mister, there’s more of an attempt at reconciliation and friendship with Mister than there was in the movie.
“Many who saw the film thought the movie was unfair to black men.
“For the musical, we changed the film’s ending to reflect the book’s more positive message.
“It seemed to me to be more important to show how Celie learns forgiveness and inclusion, and how she builds her own community and inspires people.”
Although the first national tour of “The Color Purple” was much like the original Broadway production, Griffin said the GSU show, which is part of the new national tour, has been changed slightly.
“This production is more intimate with less flash and spectacle,” he said. “It’s more a homegrown story that I think has a closer connection with the audience.
“I’m pleased that in this tour, the production is going to a lot of communities that wouldn’t otherwise get a chance to see it.”
Griffin said he wanted the people going to this show to enjoy it as much as the first audiences of the musical did.
“I wanted to make sure that those coming to see the show would see the best show ever,” he said.
“That’s why I went to New York over the holidays to refine the production before it went out on the road.”
Working with CST
Griffin, who grew up in Rockford, moved to Chicago in 1988.
“When I was a kid, coming to Chicago was like going to Oz. I saw all the shows that were playing in the city and that got me hooked on theater.”
Now considered one of the most prolific and beloved directors in Chicago, Griffin has demonstrated an ability to bring a searing honesty to every show he directs.
As an associate director at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Griffin has directed a slew of Stephen Sondheim musicals such as “Pacific Overtures,” which traveled to London and won the Olivier Award for outstanding musical production.
Griffin also directed the Sondheim musicals “A Little Night Music,” “Sunday in the Park with George” and the recent outstanding “Follies.”
Although Griffin has directed short 75-minute productions of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” before, he will be directing a full-scale production of the comedy.
This new production, Griffin said, doesn’t skip a thing and opens Feb. 7 at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier, 800 E. Grand Ave., Chicago.
“When you do the short version and you have to cut scenes and lines from the show, you get to know it very well,” he said.
“I had to question the value of everything in order to cut Shakespeare’s work to a smaller size. Now, I have to take everything I cut out and put it back in.
“Although, when you tighten the plot into a faster pace, it helps introduce people to Shakespeare. It’s always better to experience a Shakespearean production as intended.
“This is an astonishing play about the true nature of love. Love is something that we can’t explain. Every scene in the play is about trying to force love, and how that creates huge conflict.
“Shakespeare knew that no matter what we do to go against the grain, love is going to win.”
Betty Mohr is a local free-lance writer.
A BIT OF BACKGROUND
“The Color Purple” is an inspiring family saga that is set to soul-stirring music.
The show features the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity, and discover her unique voice in the world.
With a joyous, Grammy-nominated score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, “The Color Purple” is about hope and the healing power of love.
The national Broadway touring production of “The Color Purple” is produced by Phoenix Entertainment and Joyful Noisemakers, LLC, helmed by Stephen Kane and Michael McFadden.
The next phase in the life of the groundbreaking Broadway hit musical is produced by Scott Sanders.
“The Color Purple” ran for more than two years on Broadway followed by a three-year first national tour.
Directed by Gary Griffin, this national tour of “The Color Purple” features a libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Grammy-winning composers and lyricists Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray; and choreography by Donald Byrd.
Rounding out the creative team are Tony Award winner John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Tony winner Brian MacDevitt (lighting), Craig Cassidy (sound design), Steven M. Bishop (orchestrations and arrangements) and Jasper Grant (music director).
The tour cast features Ashley L. Ware as Celie, Deidra Grace as Sofia, Taprena Augustine as Shug Avery, Dayna Marie Quincy as Nettie and Chicago native James Johnson (an alum of the Chicago Academy for the Arts) as Adam/Ensemble.
Information: colorpurple.com.
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