Broadway's revival of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch, now running at the Music Box Theatre, has extended its run by a month, and will now continue through February 4, 2024. The revival was previously scheduled to complete its run January 7.
Under the direction of Kenny Leon, the current production is the Ossie Davis play's first-ever Broadway revival. The production celebrated opening night September 27 after beginning previews September 7. Read the reviews here.
Starring—and co-producing, in his Broadway producer debut—is Leslie Odom, Jr., taking on the title role opposite Kara Young as Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins. They're joined by Heather Alicia Simms as Missy Judson, Billy Eugene Jones as Gitlow Judson, Noah Robbins as Charlie Cotchipee, Vanessa Bell Calloway as Idella Landy, Jay O. Sanders as Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee, Bill Timoney as The Sheriff, and Noah Pyzik as The Deputy.
Rounding out the company are understudies Donald Webber Jr., Melvin Abston, Willa Bost, and Brandi Porter. Casting is by The Telsey Office.
READ: Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young Continue the Story for Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee
The work follows a traveling preacher, Purlie, who returns to his Georgia hometown to save the local church and the cotton pickers working on Ol' Cap'n Cotchiepee's plantation. Davis both wrote and starred in the 1961 original Broadway production, appearing alongside his wife, Ruby Dee. Davis and Dee would go on to reprise their performances in a 1963 film adaptation titled Gone Are the Days! A musical adaptation premiered on Broadway in 1970, making Melba Moore a star (and a Tony winner) for her performance as Lutiebelle, singing the Gary Geld-Peter Udell score's most enduring hit, "I Got Love."
The production features scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Emilio Sosa, lighting design by Adam Honoré, sound design by Peter Fitzgerald, hair and wig and makeup design by J. Jared Janas, and original music by Guy Davis. Kamra A. Jacobs is production stage manager.
The revival is produced by Jeffrey Richards, Hunter Arnold, Leslie Odom, Jr., Louise Gund, and Bob Boyett, along with co-producers Willette and Manny Klausner, Salman Moudhy Al-Rashid, Creative Partners Productions, Irene Gandy, Kayla Greenspan, Mark and David Golub Productions, Kenny Leon, John Gore Organization, Morwin Schmookler, Van Kaplan, Ken Greiner, Patrick W. Jones, Nicolette Robinson, National Black Theatre, Alan Alda, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson, Phylicia Rashad, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Kerry Washington.
Kara Young, Heather Alicia Simms, Leslie Odom, Jr., Vanessa Bell Calloway, Billy Eugene Jones, and Noah Robbins in Purlie Victorious
Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young in Purlie Victorious
Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young in Purlie Victorious
Jay O. Sanders, Billy Eugene Jones, Kara Young, and Leslie Odom, Jr. in Purlie Victorious
Noah Robbins and Vanessa Bell Calloway in Purlie Victorious
Kara Young in Purlie Victorious
Leslie Odom, Jr. in Purlie Victorious
Kara Young and Heather Alicia Simms in Purlie Victorious
Heather Alicia Simms and Billy Eugene Jones in Purlie Victorious
Leslie Odom, Jr. in Purlie Victorious
Cast of Purlie Victorious
