Local production comes with Broadway-level production values
My first observation after viewing this production is that it didn’t feel like a locally produced Denver Center show — not that they aren’t always awash in talent and production values. This felt like a show that had been produced for a Broadway presentation with Broadway money and talent behind it.
Alice Walker’s 1983 novel won the Pulitzer and the National Book Award, and this musical adaptation garnered three Tony awards. This DCPA Theatre Company cast, imported from all corners of American theatre, brought an enlightened level of expertise and professionalism to the production. Out of the 18 cast members, eight have Broadway and national tour credentials.
Let’s start with Celie (Maiesha McQueen), who by the time the shows starts is a 14-year-old who has already borne one baby as a result of rape by her father and is extremely pregnant with a second. She sacrifices herself to save her beloved sister Nettie (Elexis Morton) from the grips of marriage to a local farmer known only as Mister (David Aron Damane). Her torment is exposed in offhand remarks about him “doing his business” on her.
Separated from her sister and children, she strugglers on her own until she meets Suge (Angela Wildflower), a celebrated blues singer and Mister’s mistress. Suge shows Celie the only kindness and affection she’s ever known, and it changes her life. Celie’s determination and grit earn her a place in the bigger world and an unexpected success. Ms. McQueen’s portrayal of the growth of this woman brought the audience to their feet as she sang “I’m Beautiful” in a hard-fought acknowledgement of her worth as a woman.
The two women who helped her realize her own strength were Suge given a sparkling life by Ms. Wildflower — totally unlike any one Celie had ever met. The second was Sofia, a free-spirited powerful woman brought home by Harpo, Mister’s grown son. She was the first woman Celie ever saw who stood up the men in her life. Taylor J. Washington gave Sofia a much-needed spunk and independent spirit unseen until her arrival on the farm. The offhand humor and power she brought to this demanding role allowed Celie to see what could be.
The men do not fare as well in this production but they all eventually get their comeuppance in one way or the other. Starting with the evil Pa (Steven C. Rich) followed by Mr. Damane’s cruel Mister to the weak-kneed Harpo (Torrey Linder) — there’s not a winner anywhere in the group. But each is well played.
A simple set that suggested the inside of a barn (designed by Tony Cisek) had slats that opened like venetian blinds to reveal a second location behind them. The costumes — Southern plain, Sunday go-to-meeting and African tribal — were designed by Trevor Bowen. The excellent orchestra, conducted by S. Renee Clark located below the stage with the sound balanced by Ken Travis, provided the musical background. This is a wonderful way to spend a theatrical evening without having to go to Broadway.
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