Special Presentation
Tuesday, January 31 & Wednesday, February 1, 7:30PM, Concert Hall
From the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg comes a soul-stirring new musical and landmark Broadway event. The Color Purple is an inspiring family saga that tells the unforgettable story of a woman who, through love, finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. Set to a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, and blues, The Color Purple is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love, and a celebration of life.
Reserved Seating: $45, $35, $20; FC, GCC, STCC and 17 & under $20
(Special Event: No Discounts)
This production of The Color Purple, produced by Phoenix Entertainment ~ Joyful Noisemakers LLC, helmed by Stephen Kane and Michael McFadden, is the next phase in the life of the ground-breaking Broadway hit musical produced by Scott Sanders. The original Broadway musical opened on December 1, 2005, and was nominated for eleven Tony Awards®, including Best Musical. The Color Purple ran for over two years on Broadway followed by a three year First National Tour.
The Color Purple is based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds the strength to triumph over adversity, and discover her unique voice in the world. With a joyous, GRAMMY®-nominated score featuring gospel, jazz, pop and the blues, The Color Purple is about hope and the healing power of love.
Michael Kuchwara of the Associated Press described The Color Purple as “a Roof-Raising story of triumph.” And Richard Corliss of TIME Magazine said, “[it is] a soaring, epic tale. It made a joyful noise in my heart.” Elysa Gardner from USA Today raved, “Pure heart! It celebrates the inspiring relationships of faith and love, A Broadway hit!”
The Color Purple is directed by Gary Griffin and features a libretto by Pulitzer Prize-winner Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Grammy Award®-winning composers/lyricists Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, and choreography by Donald Byrd. Rounding out the creative team are Tony Award®-winner John Lee Beatty (sets), Paul Tazewell (costumes), Tony Award®-winner Brian MacDevitt (lighting), Craig Cassidy (sound design), Steven M. Bishop (Orchestrations/Arrangements), and Jasper Grant (Music Director).
Stephen Kane and Michael McFadden have long been principal partners of Phoenix Entertainment and collectively share theatrical touring credits spanning nearly three decades on four continents. Their production repertoire includes: Grease starring Frankie Avalon, The Will Rogers Follies starring Larry Gatlin, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Gypsy, Man of La Mancha, The Pajama Game, Fame, Godspell, The Vagina Monologues, The King & I, Smokey Joe’s Café, Singin’ in the Rain, Buddy, Ring of Fire and Late Nite Catechism, among others.
The Color Purple was really well done. Great cast & exceptional voices.
What an evening. Sensational performance!
We started with the Dinner at the Faculty Club and the food was Fantastic! The show was outstanding! The music and singing was Excellent! You could not ask for a better evening. Awesome Job – Keep up the good work!
Absolutely Fantastic! Color Purple takes you on a journey you will not soon forget and THOSE VOICES!!!! Try to go tonight.
Great performance by a very talented cast. FAC staff were most helpful
With my fellow attendee who was on crutches
Fabulous peformance!! Bravo!!!! BRAVO!!!! This show is timeless. Kudos to the entire cast — and especially to the actresses playing “Celie” and “Sophia.”
Our family greatly enjoyed last night’s performance. It was a pleasure to have such high quality musical theatre brought to our area. The set design got a big thumbs-up from our teenager, and everyone thought that the acting and singing were excellent. The actor playing Sophia was a standout. We were sad to see the show end..
the evening was fabulous, from start to finish! Dinner at the University Club offered a chance for great food and an opportunity to connect with friends before the show; the music, costumes, performances were exceptional. .. truly glad we planned ahead and enjoyed it with friends. . .kudos to the FAC!
The performance was the best one can expect from theater. Broadway quality.
Hopefully, this overwhelming positive response from FAC patrons will motivate the Fine Arts Center to schedule more theatrical performances in future years–we miss them and need them!
What can I say? It was AWESOME!
The Color Purple was one of the best shows I’ve seen in awhile. The music, the singing, the dancing, the way the story was told was truly magical. Go if you can tonight!
Absolutely top drawer!! I thought I was on Broadway!! If you are looking for a great show…………go tonight!!!
Loved it! One the the best musicals I’ve ever seen!
Talent and enthusiasm. Seldom is a road company this fresh and top-notch. And the enthusiasm of the audience enhanced the experience too.
The show was very good but words were hard to understand. The costumes and dancing were excellent but the music was too loud.
Beautiful, exciting, high caliber performance.
This vibrant, exciting performance was wonderful, the talent and music were superb, the musical itself full of emotion, drama, and excitement. It was a treat to be part of the audience, whose response to the performance was contagious and energetic. A memorable event that we enjoyed so much.
It was a hot time in the Fine Arts hall last night! Sizzling dance, amazingly powerful voices, lighting up a hard, hard subject matter. Illuminating the power of love in our lives. Thank you for this bringing us this wonderful performance.
I loved this production. The music was full and rich especially considering there were
only four musicians. Dance and costumes were beautiful and lovely visually. The ending seemed goody-goody. Human beings characters usually do not change as
radically as Mister did. Happy, but unbelievable.
The production was wonderful. The costumes were beautiful, the music was awesome and I loved the way they presented the story. The singing sent chills through my body it was so rich with power and emotions. Truly and exciting performance.
I loved the performance! The actors were phenomenal. I found myself laughing at times and crying at others. I am so glad to have had the chance to experience The Color Purple.
The show was amazing, Bravo Bravo i hated to see the show end. I said hell no
“We drink from wells we did not dig..” this outstanding performance was moving and uplifting. The talented cast was awesome in every way. Their emotions were accessible to every audience member. Thank you UMass for bringing this quality show to the FAC.
I had goose bumps! I laughed, I cried–the talent level in this production was amazing. I especially enjoyed the African dancers and drumming–very unique. Kudos to all involved in the production and to those who brought it to the Fine Arts Center.
Choreography, costumes, acting excellent-ruined for me by the VOLUME which was too loud & drowned the lyrics-
Thank you UMAS FAC for bringing such a fabulous production to town! I loved every minute. I am still playing scenes in my mind 2 days later! Everyone was brilliant.