Displaying items by tag: Jos N Banks
Drury Lane's 'The Color Purple' a special musical to remember
Drury Lane brings Alice Walker’ 1982 novel ‘The Color Purple’, which found major success as a film in 1985, to the stage in what is sure to be a memorable experience for theatre goers. After its opening night performance, many who had seen either the Broadway run or national touring version of the classic story, emphatically stated that Drury Lane’s production is the best they have ever seen. That’s saying something.
The story takes place in the early 1900’s and continues through about halfway through the century. Following the journey of Celie, an African American woman in the American South, we get a story of heartbreak, unspeakable atrocities and more importantly that of hope and perseverance. Still a child, Celie has two children by the age of fourteen – both by her father, Alphonso. Not long after her second child is born; her father tells Celie he is going to get rid of the child just like he did with the first. Celie’s only comfort is in spending time with her slightly older sister Nettie and the two vow to never leave each other’s side.
But four years later, a local farmer, Albert “Mister” Johnson asks Alphonso to have Nettie’s hand in marriage. Alphonso refuses, but offers up Celie instead, who is constantly referred to as “ugly”. Mister doesn’t bite but finally accepts when Alphonso throws in a cow. Mister, who had helped Nettie pursue her dream of becoming a teacher, also takes Nettie in shortly after she pleaded to stay with him and her sister alleging Alphonso is mistreating her. Mister accommodates Nettie, but always having eyes for her, attacks her one day and when she fights back is sent away along with the promise the two sisters will never see each other again. Once again, Celie finds herself in what turns out to be abusive relationship with a much older man.
It seems hopeless for Celie until a racy lounge singer comes into their lives – Shug Avery.
From there the story takes on many directions and we wonder if Celie will ever see her sister again or be released from the clutches of Mister.
With an already powerful book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, the direction by Lili-Anne Brown and gifted cast assembled puts this production over the top. Eben K. Logan is stupendous as Celie in every way as we are hopelessly drawn into her character one moment and marveling at her vocal ability the next. Logan is a true find and leads this amazing cast that also features Sydney Charles who brightly shines as Shug Avery, Nicole Michelle Haskins whose moving portrayal of Sofia truly resonates and Melvin Abston who is nothing short of commanding as Mister. The cast rounds out with an incredibly skilled ensemble that features Drury veterans Adhana Reid and Lorenzo Rush Jr. along with Camille Robinson, Jos N. Banks and a host of other talents. Kyrie Courter is just wonderful as Nettie while Gilbert Domally’s Harpo couldn’t be better.
Besides a powerful story that is sure to move its audience members, it contains one enjoyable musical number after another from its title song “The Color Purple” to touching numbers like “What About Love” and “Somebody Gonna Love you”.
Drury Lane’s ‘The Color Purple’ is engaging from beginning to end as it retells a classic story of strong will and courage.
Highly recommended.
‘The Color Purple’ is being performed at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook through November 3rd. For tickets and/or more information, visit www.drurylanetheatre.com.
A Hull Lot of Laughs: Titanique Makes Waves On Stage
02 April 2025 in Theatre in ReviewAll hands on deck Titanic fans! Get ready for a lavishly produced musical that boldly reimagines the Titanic story, navigating…
Disney's THE LION KING Returns to Chicago
01 April 2025 in Upcoming TheatreBy popular demand, Disney’s The Lion King will return to Chicago for the first time since 2023, where the production played a sold-out…
Review: The Listeners at Lyric Opera of Chicago
31 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewTHE LISTENERS has undergone several incarnations since the 2021 novel by Jordan Tannahill. It’s been a full-length movie, a TV…
IDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS: Spring Concert 2025 - 'Instinct' at Ann Barzel Theater (April 26-27)
31 March 2025 in Upcoming DanceIDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS Presents Spring Concert 2025 “Instinct” A captivating performance of four distinct works on April 26 & 27…
Dynamic South Chicago Dance Theatre at The Auditorium in one perf only, May 3
26 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreThe Auditorium (Chicago’s Landmark Stage® at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly welcomes back the eclectic energy of hometown favorite South…
Open Space Arts announces staged reading series and a powerful premiere for April through June
26 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreOpen Space Arts (OSA), who recently won some of the top honors in the Joseph Jefferson Awards for 2024 productions,…
Review: 'it's been ten years since everybody died' at Open Space Arts
26 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewI’ve reviewed a number of shows at Open Space Arts (OSA) – I love the place – so I’m familiar…
Hell in a Handbag Productions' World Premiere of SCARY TOWN By Artistic Director David Cerda Directed by Cheryl Snodgrass April 9 – May 11, 2025 at The Clutch
25 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreHell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to continue its 2024/25 Season with the world premiere of Scary Town, Artistic Director David Cerda's semi-autobiographical…
Definition Theatre Defines the Crisis: 'Splash Hatch on the E Going Down'
24 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewIn Definition Theatre's production of "Splash Hatch on the E Going Down," Kia Corthron's 1997 work feels unnervingly relevant in…
Kokandy Productions Announces Line-Up for CHICAGO MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL Returning April 3 – 6, 2025 at The Chopin Theatre
22 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreKokandy Productions is pleased to announce the official selections for the annual Chicago Musical Theatre Festival, a celebration and showcase of the…
Hive of Hilarity: Copley Theatre’s 'Spelling Bee' is a Buzzing Triumph!
21 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewI’m not holding back—Copley Theatre’s latest offering, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, is an absolute winner! I’ve seen…
The Search for Truth Turns to War in Oil Lamp’s Outstanding ‘The Lifespan of a Fact’
21 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewDon’t be deceived by the title. The phrase “lifespan of a fact” sounds about as dry as the Mojave Desert…
Disability-inclusive company brings Frankenstein to Chicago Shakespeare Theater
21 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreA.B.L.E.—Artists Breaking Limits & Expectations—a Chicago-based nonprofit that creates theatre and film for, with, and by individuals with Down syndrome…
Invictus Theatre Presents Enchanting Production of The Winter’s Tale
20 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewWalking into Windy City Playhouse, audiences are immediately transported to somewhere new. Scenic Designer Kevin Rofls fills the space with…
Writers Theatre announces 2025/26 season
19 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreArtistic Director Braden Abraham and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce Writers Theatre's 2025/26 season. The five-play season is marked by four productions never seen before…
About Face Theatre presents the return of Re/Generation Studio at The Alice at Goodman Theatre March 28-30, 2025
19 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreAbout Face Theatre announces the return of Re/Generation Studio, a weekend of community building, education, and performance to help build the future…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents Broadway's Kelli O'Hara - April 18 & 19, 2025
19 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreFresh off her critically acclaimed and Tony-nominated run in Broadway's Days of Wine and Roses, Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Mark Cortale are pleased to present…
Grand Opera that is Truly Grand: La Bohème at the Lyric
19 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewGoing into “La Bohème” with little knowledge of Puccini’s masterpiece, I was just a naive theater-goer seeing it fresh at…
THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Returns to Chicago
18 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreCameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that a revitalized new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary musical, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, will play…
Marriott Theatre Continues 50th Anniversary Season with Tony Award-Winning Titanic the Musical - Opening April 16th
18 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreChicagoland's longest running musical theatre, Marriott Theatre, continues its 50th Anniversary Season celebration with the epic production of Titanic The Musical, directed and choreographed by Connor…
Teatro La Plaza teams up with Chicago Latino Theatre Alliance for wonderful production of Hamlet at Chicago Shakespeare Theater
16 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewSer o no ser esa es la cuestión We are all familiar with Shakespeare’s iconic line: to be or not…
Announcing CityTalk: A Series of Conversations on Assimilation, Antisemitism and Culture
14 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreTheater Wit, in collaboration with the Crown Family Center for Jewish Studies at Northwestern and Northlight Theatre, hosts CityTalk: A Series of Conversations on Assimilation, Antisemitism…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents THE BOOK OF GRACE - March 27 – May 18, 2025 - Chicago Premiere!
13 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to continue its 49th season with the Chicago premiere of The…
Lyric Opera announces 2025/26 season, including major collaborations with Billy Corgan, avery r. young
12 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreLyric Opera of Chicago today announces the company's 2025/26 Season, its first complete season under the leadership of new General…
BEETLEJUICE is Now Playing Through March 16
11 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreBeetlejuice, Beetlejuice… Beetlejuice! You’ve summoned him once again, Chicago— BEETLEJUICE is back for another hauntingly hilarious run! The edgy and irreverent Broadway…
The Auditorium proudly presents Parsons Dance One Night Only: Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 PM
11 March 2025 in Upcoming DanceThe Auditorium (Chicago’s Landmark Stage® at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly presents a special evening with Parsons Dance, the New…
The critically acclaimed hit production of Obliteration returns
10 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreObliteration, LLC & The Revival Theater announce a limited engagement of Obliteration, written by Andrew Hinderaker, directed by Jonathan Berry, featuring Michael Patrick Thornton and Cyd Blakewell. Obliteration runs April 10-May 4,…
Red Clay Dance Company’s 16 centers perseverance and legacy in Vershawn Sanders-Ward Revival and Bebe Miller Premiere
10 March 2025 in Upcoming DanceThe Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago announces 16 by Red Clay Dance Company for three performances only, April 17-19, 2025, featuring Founding Artistic Director and CEO Vershawn…
Stand Up Together Comedy stars unite during Chicago fundraiser to support California wildfire victims Thursday, March 27 at Laugh Factory Chicago
10 March 2025 in Upcoming TheatreStand Up Together, a comedy benefit in support of artists impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires, hosted by Second City and SNL…
Luck Be a Lady Tonight: A Rollicking Review of Music Theater Works’ 'Guys and Dolls'
09 March 2025 in Theatre in ReviewFollowing a string of successful shows, Music Theater Works has once again hit the jackpot with their 2025 season opener,…
Latest Articles
-
A Hull Lot of Laughs: Titanique Makes Waves On Stage
Written by Ken PayneAll hands on deck Titanic fans! Get ready for a lavishly produced musical that boldly reimagines the Titanic story, navigating it into fresh and unforeseen waters. The story of the "unsinkable" Titanic is one most of us know well—the ship’s… -
Review: The Listeners at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Written by Sarz MaxwellTHE LISTENERS has undergone several incarnations since the 2021 novel by Jordan Tannahill. It’s been a full-length movie, a TV series’, and now an opera, premiering in New York and now brought to Chicago by the renowned composer/librettist team Missy Mazzoli… -
Disney's THE LION KING Returns to Chicago
Written by Buzz Center StageBy popular demand, Disney’s The Lion King will return to Chicago for the first time since 2023, where the production played a sold-out run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre. This three-week return engagement at the Cadillac Palace Theatre begins Friday, October 3, 2025… -
IDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS: Spring Concert 2025 - 'Instinct' at Ann Barzel Theater (April 26-27)
Written by Buzz Center StageIDENTITY PERFORMING ARTS Presents Spring Concert 2025 “Instinct” A captivating performance of four distinct works on April 26 & 27 Ann Barzel Theater Visceral Dance Center, 3121 N Rockwell St, Chicago IL 60619 Tickets $30 Saturday, April…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.