Empowering musical 'The Color Purple' shines at Henegar Center
Support local journalism by subscribing at Special Offers - USAToday Network.
Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Color Purple" tells an epic, heartwarming story of perseverance and personal awakening as a young Black woman, Celie, grows up in poverty in the early 1900s.
In the story, Celie has two children at a young age and is married off to Mister, a cruel man who cuts her off from her beloved sister Nettie. She endures abuse, racism and sexism. But throughout her journey, Celie connects with and draws strength from other women. These include Sofia, the girlfriend of Mister’s son Harpo, and singer Shug Avery, Mister’s occasional mistress. Eventually Celie finds strength within herself.
"The Color Purple" holds such deep cultural resonance that it has been retold and adapted many times. It was turned into a 1985 movie directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover. Now, the Tony Award-winning musical adaptation takes the stage at the Henegar Center, with a run from Feb. 24 through March 12.
Looking for things to do? Our top 10 picks in Brevard for Feb. 24 - March 2
On a budget? Here are five free, fun things to do in Brevard: Feb. 24 through March 2
A musical adaptation might seem like an unexpected choice for this somber tale of a Black woman in the Jim Crow South. On the contrary, guest director Ayò Demps says the music significantly deepens the story.
"Music has always been important to the Black experience, as has storytelling." Demps said. "The musical enriches the heart of the book by melding those together in a perfect storm of emotion."
"Giving us Celie’s journey through gospel, folk, blues, jazz, and African rhythms with a bit of R&B and soul sensibility thrown in allows the entirely Black cast to relate and fall into a level of emotion that I’ve never felt with any other show."
While the show has some dark themes, Demps says that overall it is a testament to the healing power of love.
"It is a unapologetically a piece about being Black in the Jim Crow South, being a woman in a 'man’s world,' being a queer person in America in the early to mid-1900s. About being labeled 'ugly' in a community still fighting to recognize its own beauty," Demps said. "But it also exists at the intersection where all of these things meet love."
Throughout February in EGAD: Black Box Blackout celebrates artistic diversity
In searching for a guest director for the production, Henegar's executive artistic director Dominic Del Brocco knew that Demps was the perfect choice. "I knew I wanted it to be told from someone with a specific vision and perspective," he said. "It was obvious to me that (Demps was) the perfect fit for not only the show and material, but the kind of heart and passion that the Henegar would require."
Heart and passion are exactly what the cast delivers. "The energy in the room every rehearsal has shown me the immense amount of talent in the area," said Demps. "They showed me a love and understanding of the material from its lowest lows to its highest heights."
In the Henegar production, Fendii Trashell stars as Celie, Nichole Savage as Shug Avery, and Jamalia Scott as Sofia. Also starring are Chadonné Whiskey as Nettie, LeRoy Darby as Ol’ Mister/Preacher, Kerry Alce as Harpo, Julia Jordan as Squeak and Jamaal Solomon as Mister.
Demps feels that audiences will connect with the show's message of triumphing over adversity. "I think people see pieces of themselves in these characters, who survive through hellish times, but who eventually thrive."
"'The Color Purple' is about love, and I think that resonates with everyone, regardless of who they are."
If you go
'The Color Purple'
Where: The Henegar Center, 625 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne
When: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through March 12
Tickets: Start at $34
Info: 321-723-8698
On the web: henegarcenter.com
Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TGIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune or send her an email at clafortune@floridatoday.com.
Whether you're interested in music, theater, festivals or other local entertainment, FLORIDA TODAY has got you covered. Support local journalism by subscribing at Special Offers - USAToday Network.
Still playing: Titusville Playhouse gets cheeky with 'Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man'
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 'The Color Purple' musical shines at Henegar Center
