Regional NewsCheck Out Photos of Nova Y. Payton, Frenchie Davis, and More in Signature's The Color Purple
The 2005 Broadway musical plays the Arlington, Virginia, venue through October 9.
By
Michael Wiltbank
August 26, 2022
Signature Theatre's The Color Purple, starring Nova Y. Payton, Danielle J. Summons, and Frenchie Davis, continues through October 9 at the MAX Theatre in Arlington, Virginia. Watch highlights from the production in the video above.
Timothy Douglas directs the production with Payton as Celie, Summons as Shug Avery, and Davis as Sofia. The cast also features Kaiyla Gross as Nettie, Stephawn P. Stephens as Ol’ Mister/Preacher, Solomon Parker III as Harpo, Tẹmídayọ Amay as Squeak, and Torrey Linder as Mister, with ensemble members Ian Anthony Coleman, Jalisa Williams, Keenan McCarter, Nia Savoy-Dock, Raquel Jennings, Sean-Maurice Lynch, Tobias A. Young, and Yewande Odetoyinbo. Swings include Catrina Brenae, Gabrielle Rice, and Jay Frisby.
The Signature production also has music direction by Mark G. Meadows, choreography by Dane Figueroa Edidi, scenic design by Tony Cisek, costume design by Kara Harmon, lighting design by Peter Maradudin, sound design by Ryan Hickey, and hair, wig, and make-up design by J. Jared Janas.
TheColor Purple features a book by Marsha Norman, adapted from the novel by Alice Walker and the Steven Spielberg-directed movie of the same name. The musical premiered on Broadway in 2005 and was revived a decade later. The revival received Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical for Cynthia Erivo’s performance as Celie as well as nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical and Best Direction. The Color Purple also won the 2017 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Warner Bros.' feature film adaptation of the The Color Purple musical is slated to hit theatres December 20, 2023.
Next year, Carnegie Hall's house band will perform Bernstein’s “Kaddish” Symphony, unfinished works by Schubert, and the final concert of Conductor Bernard Labadie.