'The Color Purple' shows its radiance
By: Nancy Dunham
Special to The Examiner
July 3, 2009
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| Fantasia, winner of “American Idol’s” third season, stars as Celie in “The Color Purple.” (Courtesy of Paul Kolnik Studio) |
'American Idol' winner Fantasia brings life to character first made famous by Oprah
Info Headline'The Color Purple'
Where: Opera House, Kennedy Center, 2700 F St. NW
When: Through Aug. 9
Info: $25 to $45; 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org
If you think The Kennedy Center's production of "The Color Purple" is well done you're wrong; it's excellent.
That's no small feat considering the original Pulitzer Prize winning story by Alice Walker and the Steven Spielberg produced-film has pushed the story into the highest public consciousness. The story's controversial themes -- which revolve around about 40 years in the life of an impoverished, black woman whose life is filled with endless abuse -- have engaged critics, censors and fans.
In this production American Idol winner Fantasia reprises the role of that woman -- Celie -- which of course Oprah Winfrey made famous in the film. Talk about a difficult task. Of course, Fantasia took her Season Three win on television's American Idol and has continually honed her ever expanding talent which have been recognized in many ways including eight Grammy Award nominations.
Fantasia more than rises to the occasion in this production, no doubt tapping as deeply as possible into her talent and artistry for this long, complex story that shows Celie's rise from the abuse and eventually finds her own degree of happiness and success.
While we can't help but joining the many cheering Washington insiders -- including Mayor Adrian Fenty and his wife Michelle -- who were in the house for a recent performance, it does threaten to lag a bit as the production moves toward more than 2 1/2 hours.
One plot twist in this musical is in the second act when Celie has a daydream about her sister who has traveled to Africa as a missionary. The scene shows Celie dancing with the grass-skirted women, warriors and queens before returning to her life. The scene was beautifully staged and vibrantly performed but seemed amiss -- a theatrical non-sequiter if you will.
That's certainly not the fault of any performers in this first-rate cast, which sparkle during this vibrant musical. LaToya London as Nettie, Stu James as Harpo, Felicia P. Fields as Sofia and of course the amazingly beautiful and talented Angela Robinson as the Celie's true love and mentor Shug Avery are among the stand outs. Suffice to say there isn't a dud performance in sight.
The Kennedy Center has done the "The Color Purple" proud in staging this production, which, like love, isn't perfect but is all-powerful.
